Health vs. Career Is a False Choice

Photo credit: Nell Hoving

Gina Clark, president of the AmerisourceBergen Foundation, says Go Red fits perfectly with her foundation’s mission to address underserved areas in healthcare.

“Heart disease is the number one killer for women, but the symptoms present in women differently, so even physicians need to be educated,” she says. “Women themselves need to be educated.”

Go Red also appeals to Clark as a high-achieving professional who has spent years working long hours.

“I wasn’t good at balance for years,” she says. “I’m 61 years old, and getting out of bed and doing a run or walk was just getting harder.”

When she started minding her health, she found that balance was possible. “I feel great, and I still get to lead the way for women,” she says.

Clark brought her experience in business to her role as Go Red co-chair by helping other women in powerful positions think about their health, and in turn help others. That’s why Go Red this year has hosted fundraisers focused on educating businesswomen about their health.

“You have a group of people who walk out of the door knowledgeable and inspired, who are probably connected in their own corporate world and can go to their business relations and raise funds,” she says.

Clark’s goal is to make Go Red central to health in Philly.

“I would love for Go Red to become a premier event that everybody knows about,” she says. “My goal is to bring it to that status of must-do, must-see, must-be-a part-of event in Philadelphia.”

For more information on ways you can Go Red this year, visit phillymag.com/gored.