Dr. Sowmya Lakshminarayanan Named Chair of American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement
- The Indian American neurologist will lead an initiative to increase women’s heart health awareness and prevention.
The American Heart Association has named Dr. Sowmya Lakshminarayanan as the chair of the 2025 Go Red for Women Movement in the Triad region of North Carolina. The triple board-certified neurologist with Novant Health will lead an initiative to increase women’s heart health awareness and prevention.
Go Red for Women is a global initiative of the American Heart Association “to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally and globally,” according to its website. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer for women in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in women. According to the American Heart Association, less than half of women are aware that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat.
In a statement, Lakshminarayanan said she’s “committed to sharing vital information about how women can maintain and improve their health, with the main focus on proactive prevention as a care continuum throughout instead of a reflexive point of care approach when sick.” Her goal is “to inspire and encourage family, friends and the greater community to actively support the women in their lives,” she said. “By uplifting one woman, we create a ripple effect that benefits her circle of influence, her family and ultimately her community and beyond.”
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Lakshminarayanan holds multiple executive roles including market clinical physician executive for the Novant Health Neurosciences Institute in the greater Winston Salem Region, and system telemedicine program medical director for the Neurosciences Institute.
She earned a master’s certification in Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University and an AI in Healthcare Certification from MIT Sloan School of Management. She focuses on promoting prompt stroke care for many local communities and beyond by keeping health equity and patient experience as the core.
Photo courtesy: goredforwomen.org, American Heart Association.