Dr. Tacee Walker named 2023 Go Red for Women Chair

Dr. Tacee Walker, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Our Lady of Lourdes and Chief Medical Officer of Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, recently was named the 2023 Greater Acadiana Go Red for Women Chair. 

The American Heart Association will host its annual Go Red for Women luncheon on Friday, Feb. 10 at Le Pavillion in Parc Lafayette on Kaliste Saloom Road. Purchase tickets today!

The Go Red for Women movement is the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative to end heart disease and stroke in women. Go Red for Women is working in communities around the world to help women understand that cardiovascular disease and strokes are their greatest health threat and that they should take action to lower their risk. 

The theme for the 2023 event in Acadiana is “Stroke Risk in Moms and Maternal Health.”

“Each woman is unique and so are her healthcare needs. Sadly, the initial signs and symptoms of stroke can go unnoticed or even ignored,” Walker said. “Women are tough and many times press on, even when they should stop and seek out medical attention.”

“Stroke kills an estimated 137,000 people in our nation each year and about 60% of those are women,” Dr. Walker explained. “It can come unexpectedly during pregnancy, immediately after delivery or even in the weeks after returning home with a newborn. We as women, moms and professionals need to prioritize our own healthcare needs because, let’s face it: If we are not at our healthiest, we are not our best for those who rely on us the most.” 

As chair of the Greater Acadiana Go Red for Women Chair, Dr. Walker will oversee a volunteer team of local community leaders, executives and changemakers as they work together to meet this year’s fundraising goal. Our Lady of Lourdes Health is the signature sponsor for the 2023 Go Red for Women event.

All funds raised through the local Go Red for Women campaign help fund research and educational programs in Louisiana and beyond. The American Heart Association is currently funding over $8.13 million in research projects in Louisiana thanks to events like the Greater Acadiana Go Red for Women event. 

In addition to funding research and educational programs, funds raised through Go Red for Women helps further Acadiana’s community initiatives focused on improving access to healthy foods, physical activity, primary care and mental health.