SEATTLE, April 24, 2026 — Uma Krishnan, M.D., is the American Heart Association’s 2026 Puget Sound Woman of Impact winner alongside Alexis Teh, who was named the 2026 Puget Sound Teen of Impact winner. Both winners channeled their energy and passion to build a healthier Puget Sound and raise critical dollars to help fund the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association, earning them recognition from the organization.  

The winners were announced during the Moment of Impact event on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Medina, Wash. Nominees gathered to celebrate their collective success and accomplishments from the nine-week impact competition. Both campaigns launched on National Wear Red Day®, Friday, Feb. 6, and ran through April 9. Collectively, this year’s Puget Sound nominees raised more than $320,000 to support the Heart Association’s lifesaving research, advocacy and education efforts. 

Dr. Krishnan, a cardiologist at MultiCare Health System based in the South Sound, has more than 20 years of experience and a deep passion for preventing heart disease, especially among women. During the campaign period, Dr. Krishnan amplified awareness through speaking engagements, gatherings with friends and a remarkable team of 109 members, which was the largest Woman of Impact team in the entire country this year.

“It was important for me to participate in Woman of Impact because, as a doctor, I’ve witnessed the long-lasting, positive effect education can have on women’s heart health,” said Dr. Krishnan. “I am honored to have received this recognition and am excited to continue working alongside the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women to help more women know their risk factors and get the support they need to live longer, healthier lives.”

Teh, the 2026 Teen of Impact campaign winner, is a sophomore at Redmond High School. Heart health is deeply personal to Teh. She and her younger sister were both born with congenital heart defects, with her sister undergoing open heart surgery at a young age. That experience inspired Alexis to advocate for early detection, education and support, so more families have the knowledge and care they need. 

“As a person affected by heart disease, I feel particularly passionate about the American Heart Association’s work, which has served me as well as my sister," said Teh. “I am so honored to be named the Puget Sound Teen of Impact winner and thankful for the opportunities this campaign has given me. My family and I are determined to keep supporting the Association’s work and pushing for scientific discoveries that will help survivors like me and our families.”

Fourteen nominees competed in the Heart Association’s 2026 Puget Sound Woman of Impact™ and Teen of Impact™ campaigns. Each nominee supported the Heart Association in its fight against the nation’s No. 1 health threat, cardiovascular disease. The Woman of Impact campaign, part of the Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, specifically focuses on improving women’s health, while Teen of Impact focuses on empowering the next generation to change the trajectory of heart health for their generation. The 2026 Puget Sound Teen of Impact campaign is sponsored locally by Seattle Children’s.

The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is celebrating changemakers like Dr. Krishnan and Teh in communities across the nation. Dr. Krishnan and Teh are two of more than 100 other community-level winners from across the country now eligible for national recognition. The national winners from each campaign will be named on May 20, 2026.

Local Woman of Impact nominees included:

  • Kayla Down
  • Alisha Ghajar, ND, MSCP
  • Anita Gupta
  • Linda Hoffner
  • Uma Krishnan, M.D.
  • Courtney MacNealy
  • Jessica Randolph
  • Meredith Sandland

Local Teen of Impact nominees included:

  • Sabrina Brummett
  • Lisa Komashinskaya
  • Ashley Mahajan
  • Alexis Teh
  • Dylan Wu

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s work in the Puget Sound and across Washington state, visit heart.org/Washington.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. In Washington, visit heart.org/Washington, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X.  

About Go Red for Women® 

The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart-healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721). 

For Media Inquiries:

Lily Gordon: lily.gordon@heart.org  

Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org