One of our Village at Castle Pines neighbors, Sandy Goldstein, has been nominated for the American Heart Association’s 2026 Woman of Impact Award for Colorado. At age 25, Sandy began experiencing neurologic symptoms stemming from an undiagnosed heart defect. Atrial septal defect happens when a hole in your heart does not close after birth. The hole caused continuous shunting of unoxygenated blood leading to many issues, including a collapsed vessel in her brain.

At the time, Sandy was a level one trauma nurse focused on neuro-trauma and cardiac care. Her job should have made the process to find her diagnosis easier. However, being a patient made her realize how difficult the inside of healthcare can be—dismissive doctors, narcotics that disguise pain, not feeling heard and insurance company headaches.

It took nearly two years, including two brain angioplasty procedures and almost losing her vision, before her life changing surgery. Sandy’s diagnosis was thanks in large part to neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Eric Kelts, who advocated for her until an answer was found. “He literally saved my life,” said Sandy.

With steadfast advocacy from her cardiologist, Dr. Jeffrey Rubenstein, the needed procedure was finally approved. On August 25, 2010, Sandy underwent major heart surgery where a titanium mesh device was inserted between her two atria where her hole was the size of dime. The device closed both sides and created a wall.

Sandy’s time as a patient shaped her understanding of healthcare. “I saw firsthand the safety risks patients face, the life-altering importance of early diagnosis, and the extraordinary impact of clinicians who listen, believe patients, and persist in finding answers. Their commitment changed the trajectory of my life,” she shared.

An incredible surprise happened next; Sandy discovered she was pregnant. Doctors had previously told her she would be unable to carry a pregnancy, so she quickly assigned a team of six specialized physicians to monitor her and her baby throughout gestation. At 38 weeks, she delivered a healthy daughter, Kaylee, via Cesarean section. “I experienced what felt nothing short of a miracle,” said Sandy. A year and a half later, she welcomed another daughter, Keira.

Sandy is enthusiastically using her voice to fight for women’s heart health. She starts her campaign for the Woman of Impact award on February 6, as one of five nominees.

Each nominee earns points for various activities and outreach as well as through a giving campaign. The winner is selected based on the most points earned during the campaign which ends on April 9.

Sandy’s daughters are the driving force behind her efforts. Kaylee, a freshman at Rock Canyon High School, is even a member of her mom’s campaign team and is using her own voice to expand CPR training and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) access in the school district. Kaylee is also working with one of her teachers, who sits on the Regional Transportation District (RTD) board of directors, to help bring hands-only CPR education and AEDs to buses and light rail systems.

Sandy’s health journey has also guided her career; she now leads clinical quality and patient safety outcomes as a vice president at Transcarent, a national employer benefits company dedicated to make it easy for people to access affordable high-quality care.

“Heart disease doesn’t always look the same in women. When our symptoms are dismissed, lives are put at risk, and that has to change,” shared Sandy. This means including women in research, testing, treatment and funding. “It’s time for women to be taken seriously,” she concluded.

Support Sandy with her nomination and campaign by visiting WomanOfImpact.heart.org and then selecting “Find a Nominee or Campaign,” or click on the QR below. To learn more about women’s heart attack and stroke symptoms, visit GoRedForWomen.org.

 

 

Article by Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Sandy Goldstein