2025 Wear Red Gala-entines Day

Dr. Colleen Norris

Reproductive Aging And Your Heart

Dr. Colleen Norris is a Professor and Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta.She holds the Cavarzan Chair in Women’s Health Research for the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, and is a well- respected expert in cardiovascular health. Additionally, Dr.Norris is the Research Lead of the Women’s Heart Health Research Collaborative (WHHRC), which partners with the CK Hui Heart Centre, Lois Hole Hospital for Women, and the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation to improve women’s cardiovascular care. She has been recognized throughout her career for her scholarly contributions, but also for her contributions to lay literature such as national editorials, CBC & CTV news, Good Times and Boomer magazines, and ‘Life in Hearts’ an e-magazine by and for women with heart issues. Her contributions demonstrate exceptional creativity in synergizing between her research program, leadership, mentorship and advocacy roles. Dr. Norris’ numerous special initiatives have resulted in important ground-breaking evidence identifying the Sex and Gender Factors associated with outcomes of women’s heart health. Her research works epitomize the translation of “research-to-practice-to-policy”. Her work with the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance and the creation of the Atlas has changed the face of Heart Disease assessment and treatment for women in Canada. More importantly, Dr. Norris’ unique multidimensional knowledge mobilization approach of her research findings on the sex and gender factors associated with women’s health outcomes, are now being applied in nursing practice, education, health care services and policy development.

Dr. Sofia Ahmed

Sex Hormones: Everything You Need to Know

Dr. Sofia Ahmed is a nephrologist, a Professor in the Department of Medicine and the University of Alberta Chair in Sex and Gender. She completed her MD and internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, a nephrology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospitals in Boston, and a Master’s in Medical Sciences at Harvard University.

As the recipient of the 2022 Hypertension Canada Senior Investigator Award, the 2021 Canadian Medical Association May Cohen Award for Women Mentors and a 2020 American Society of Nephrology Distinguished Mentor Award, Sofia is a strong proponent of the importance of mentorship and fostering excellence in the next generation of researchers.

Sofia is a champion of women’s health across the life cycle and a clinician-scientist focusing on sex and gender differences in human kidney/cardiovascular outcomes. She is the Chair of the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health Advisory Board, Chair of the Canadian Medical Association Journal Governing Council and the President-Elect for the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences.

Dr. Briana Botsford

A Holistic Approach to Caring for Your Heart

Dr. Briana Botsford is a naturopathic doctor, Ironman triathlete, and owner of Flow Functional Health Care in Edmonton, Alberta. Her personal background in sport led her to focus on the intersection of sports medicine and women's health; supporting athletes and active folks through nutrition, lifestyle and nutritional supplementation. She completed her undergraduate education at Queen’s University studying Physical and Health Education and Life Sciences. She attended the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to complete her designation as an ND with a focus in sports medicine. Dr. Botsford has written for the Canadian Journal of Naturopathic Medicine and has lectured with several institutions including McMaster University, the Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors and the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. She has been featured on several podcasts discussing both sports medicine and women’s health topics including the impact of athletic nutrition on menstrual health, relative-energy deficiency in sport, maintaining athleticism in perimenopause and more. She is a faculty member with the Confident Clinician Club, an evidence-based platform for integrative practitioners.

Emeleigh Hardwicke-Brown

Homeostasis: A Balancing Act

Emeleigh Brown was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She earned her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Alberta, and her MBA at the University of Calgary. During her masters, she decided she was very passionate about the psychology aspect of business, and started her journey to becoming a counsellor. She now has a Master of Counselling specializing in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia.

Emeleigh is passionate about helping people understand and embrace the science behind mental health while fostering growth, healing, and self-compassion. Her approach integrates cutting-edge neuroscience, evidence-based therapies, and a deep respect for the unique humanity of each individual she works with. Emeleigh’s practice is rooted in unconditional positive regard, ensuring a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard, valued, and understood. Whether exploring how trauma is stored in the body or uncovering what makes life meaningful to clients, her goal is to provide a compassionate, individualized approach that honors both struggles and strengths. Emeleigh also focuses on the critical connection between mental health and women’s heart health. Chronic stress, trauma, and emotional dysregulation can directly impact cardiovascular health, particularly for women, who are often more vulnerable to conditions like hypertension and heart disease. By addressing stress and emotional well-being through therapies like EMDR and ACT, Emeleigh supports not only mental health but also reduces the physical toll stress takes on the heart and body. Her work integrates somatic practices and nervous system regulation to help women achieve greater overall well-being, supporting both their emotional and physical resilience.

Instagram: @withemeleigh

Saige Godberson-Parlin

The New Face of Women’s Heart Disease

Saige is a dedicated Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, as well as a passionate half-marathon runner and pilates instructor. At the age of 27, Saige was diagnosed with heart disease despite having no prior risk factors, which sparked her mission to raise awareness about female heart disease. Driven by her personal experience, she is committed to educating others on the importance of heart health, particularly for women who may not recognize the risk. Through her advocacy, Saige aims to empower women to take control of their health and break the stigma around heart disease.