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Central Virginia VA staff don red for heart health

VA staff walking down hallway
Ryan Ballon, employee wellness director for the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, leads staff on a 1-mile walk to promote American Heart Month and the Go Red for Women Campaign by the American Heart Association. More than 100 health care workers wore red for the Go Red for Women walk, February 4 at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System.
By Megan Kon, Public Affairs Specialist

More than 100 health care workers wore red for the Go Red for Women walk, February 4 at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS).

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative urges women to be involved in their heart health, as cardiovascular diseases are their greatest threat.

Ryan Ballon, employee wellness director, has led the effort at CVHCS for the past six years.

“The Go Red for Women event raises awareness of women’s heart health every first Friday of February,” Ballon said. “The walk serves as a catalyst to our women Veteran population to take charge of their heart health through the simple activity of walking.”

At CVHCS, several VA programs participated in the event, including the Office of Engagement and Experience, Women’s Health and Whole Health.

“I am walking today because I need the exercise, need to eat right and need to get my heart in shape as well,” said Roslyn Batts, a nurse coordinator for Home-Based Primary Care. “I’m all about the Go Red for Women.”

Batts chooses to be proactive because she knows many heart diseases can go unnoticed.

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