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Go Red Where It Matters: Heart Health Takes Center Stage at VA Providence

Women in casual wear talking to a woman in a red suit.
Joanne Barrett, Women Veterans Program Manager, joins Micaela Costa and Lauren Rose from Whole Health to speak with a Woman Veteran about available programs and supportive services.

By Justyn Charon, Public Affairs Specialist

The VA Providence Healthcare System hosted a Go Red for Women’s Heart Health event in its main lobby, making heart health education and benefits access easy to reach for Women Veterans and reinforcing the importance of prevention and early awareness.

Heart disease remains the leading health threat facing women, including Women Veterans. Recognizing that reality, VA Providence brought heart health education out of traditional settings and into one of the most visible spaces on campus, the main lobby.

As part of its 2026 Go Red for Women’s Heart Health Initiative, VA Providence hosted a Go Red event designed to meet Women Veterans where they already are. The lobby setting allowed Veterans to engage naturally, ask questions and access information without needing a scheduled appointment.

Throughout the event, Women Veterans spoke with VA health care enrollment staff and representatives from the Veterans Benefits Administration. Veterans learned about cardiovascular disease, personal risk factors and the importance of recognizing symptoms that often appear differently in women, such as fatigue, nausea or shortness of breath.

“Too often, women dismiss symptoms because they don’t look like what they expect,” said Joanne Barrett, Women Veterans Program Manager, who organized the Go Red campaign. “This event was about making sure Women Veterans have clear, accurate information and know they are not alone in taking charge of their heart health.”

The event emphasized prevention and empowerment. Staff shared practical guidance on routine screenings, healthy lifestyle choices and the value of early engagement with care teams. Veterans were encouraged to think proactively about their health and to use VA resources to support long-term well-being.

While the focus remained on Women Veterans, the event also reflected a broader commitment shared across VA: creating environments that promote prevention, awareness and trust. These moments of connection help build stronger relationships between Veterans and the teams who serve them.

The lobby event set the tone for a month dedicated to heart health awareness and action at VA Providence. By starting with visibility and conversation, the initiative reinforced a simple message—heart health starts with knowledge, access and support.

Women Veterans interested in learning more about heart health programming or VA Providence services are encouraged to contact Joanne Barrett, Women Veterans Program Manager, at Joanne.Barrett1@va.gov or .