American Heart Association names Good Samaritan President as 2019 Go Red for Women Chair

Jen Alderfer Headshot sm

Lafayette, CO - The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, together with its Go Red for Women movement, have named Jennifer Alderfer, President of Good Samaritan Medical Center, the 2019 Chair for the Go Red for Women movement in Denver.

This year, men and women in Denver will join the American Heart Association in the fight against heart disease in a series of events including a free community education event, research reception, networking luncheon, Bring STEM to Life event for students and other events that raise awareness and important funds to support heart disease and stroke research.

“It is an honor to support an organization who is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of heart health and heart disease prevention,” said Alderfer. “Together we will help women in our community live longer, healthier lives.”

Alderfer has been SCL Health’s Good Samaritan Medical Center’s President since September of 2017. Prior to joining Good Samaritan, she served as the President and CEO of North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton since 2010. She originally joined North Suburban Medical Center in 2006 as Chief Operating Officer, and also served as Chief Operating Officer for The Medical Center of Aurora from 2004 to 2006. Jennifer is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). She earned a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Alderfer is a member of the ACHE Higher Education Committee, serves on the University of Colorado at Denver’s Health Administration Advisory Board, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce Board as well as the Good Samaritan Foundation.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Someone you know and love may be affected – at any age. Heart disease and stroke claim the lives of one in three women – a third of mothers, sisters and friends. It’s time to change this fact.

While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes, cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat. To treat, beat and prevent heart disease and stroke, women should understand family health history, know their five key personal health numbers to help determine risk and make healthy behavior changes like moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure.

The Go Red for Women is locally presented by SCL Health.  For more information about the Go Red for Women Movement, contact Megan Calvert at Megan.Calvert@heart.org, or call 303-801-4634.