Cincinnati, Ohio – February 14, 2017 – In the season of valentines, Saint Ursula Academy hosted a “Go Red for Women” event to go along with the school’s theme for the year, Nurturer. Students were encouraged to “nurture” themselves by being aware of the risks associated with heart disease, specifically heart disease in women.
A panel of prominent female leaders from the Cincinnati community led the event and encouraged the girls to take charge of their heart health and know their risks of heart disease.
Kay Geiger, regional president of PNC Bank, spoke to the students about the importance of “Go Red for Women” day and encouraged students to learn about factors which increase heart disease in women.
Megan Bellinski shared a story of how, at a very young age, she was a victim of a heart attack. She encouraged students to listen to their bodies, know their risks of heart disease, and recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Debbie Hayes, Chief Operating Officer of Christ Hospital Health Network, discussed the importance of taking heart health seriously at a young age. She dispelled the myth that heart disease is a problem only affects older generations.
Dr. Amy Mechley, Lifestyle Medicine Doctor with Christ Hospital, shared practical ideas about how students could reduce their risk of heart disease by making healthy choices.
After the speakers concluded, they were available for questions as students had the opportunity to take their blood pressure, read food labels, learn more about cholesterol and glucose numbers, and ask more in depth questions to the panel and other physicians and nurses about heart health.
SUA senior Grace Burleigh ’17 was thrilled to see her classmates learning about heart health. A chronic heart patient, she intimately understands the importance of taking care of this vital organ.
"This awareness of cardiac health is quite literally dear to my heart,” said Grace. “I was born with a severe heart disorder that ultimately resulted in two open-heart surgeries, frequent medical treatment, and quite a bit of pain. Yet I’m so proud to be a chronic heart patient, and it’s thanks to incredible organizations like Christ Hospital and the American Heart Association that people like me can survive their heart defects and receive excellent cardiac treatment."
The students were encouraged to visit several “stations” at the health fair so they could expand on the lessons learned earlier in the day.
1. Listen to your body
2. Know your risks
3. Nurture your heart health
At the end of Go Red for Women Day, Saint Ursula Academy hopes to have encouraged students to take an active role in their heart health and make healthy choices which will allow each individual to be a “nurturer” to themselves and others for many years to come.
Saint Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. Saint Ursula welcomes students from more than 90 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Academy is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. 86% of the Class of 2016 earned college scholarships totaling more than $22-million.