With steady hands and curious minds, dozens of high school girls from Central Massachusetts practiced CPR, explored emergency response technologies, and heard firsthand what it takes to become a woman leader in science and medicine.
This was STEM Goes Red, an immersive, all-day event hosted by the American Heart Association at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Mass., to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers among young women — particularly those from underrepresented communities.
The program brought students face-to-face with scientists, physicians, engineers, and other professionals working at the intersection of health and innovation. The event included hands-on learning stations, interactive panels, and candid conversations with women blazing trails in STEM fields.
“We want them to see themselves in these careers,” said Sabrina Webb, development director for the American Heart Association in Central Massachusetts. “They’re not just learning about science — they’re seeing what’s possible for their own futures.”
Sponsored locally by Fidelity Bank, the event was organized in part by Dr. Tammy Nguyen, a vascular surgeon, assistant professor at UMass Chan Medical School, and a volunteer leader with the American Heart Association.
For many of the students, the most impactful moments came during the “Women in STEM” panel, where professionals shared their personal journeys — and struggles.
The panel featured Sarah Holbrook, a postdoctoral research at UMass Chan Medical School; Kati Korenda, vice president, surgical and procedural services at UMass Chan Medical School; Sheila King-Goodwin, senior vice president and chief retail banking officer at Fidelity Bank; Kayla Overly, surgical and procedural services, at UMass Memorial Medical Center; and Dr. Dejah R. Judelson, a vascular surgeon at UMass Memorial Health.
Several panelists spoke candidly about their experiences as women of color and first-generation college students, describing how personal encounters with illness and health disparities in their communities inspired them to pursue careers in science and medicine.
A unique addition to the program was a networking workshop led by Dave Garvin, manager of workforce programs at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. The exercise encouraged students to practice introductions, share interests, and connect over common ground — even golf.
“You already have a global network,” Garvin told them, pointing to the hands raised when students were asked how many had friends in other states or countries. “Now it’s about learning how to use it.”
Across the U.S., women remain underrepresented in STEM careers, especially in leadership roles. STEM Goes Red is part of the American Heart Association’s broader effort to change that. By combining career exploration with health education, the initiative addresses both opportunity gaps and health disparities that disproportionately affect women.
As the students boarded buses at the end of the day, many carried tote bags filled with resources, but also something harder to quantify: a new sense of purpose.