photo by: Joselyn King

Lauren Thomas, development director for the American Heart Association, left, presents a sash to Noelle Adams-Lohri, a physical therapist at The HealthPlex, designating her the association’s “Ohio Valley Woman of Impact” award winner during a luncheon Friday at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

WHEELING — Five Ohio Valley women selected by their peers collectively raised nearly $80,000 for the American Heart Association over the past two months, and on Friday they were honored at the 2025 Ohio Valley Women of Impact luncheon at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

Noelle Adams-Lohri, a physical therapist at The HealthPlex, was announced as the nominee raising the most money, and she received the 2025 Ohio Valley Woman of Impact Award.

The nominees collectively raised a total of $76,750 over a nine week period, with Adams-Lohri bringing in over $22,000. She explained how she went about the task.

“I used social media platforms quite a bit,” she said. “That’s what I do for work, so that’s what I do to reach people to my advantage.”

Adams-Lohri hosted a wine-tasting event at Casa DiVino she termed “a great success.” In addition, she arranged a women’s “Heart and Soul” event at 1306 Market St.

“We also partnered with local businesses,” she said. “Market Vines did a salmon salad for us, and donated 10% of the proceeds to the campaign. We also partnered with VC Wares. I know I’m going to miss somebody, but I appreciate everyone.”

Other nominees were recognized for their fundraising efforts during the luncheon.

They included Amanda Brown, district manager for WesBanco; Gretchen Kessler, communications specialist at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital; Lori Bertus-Whaley, quality improvement coordinator for Peak Health; and Spencer Porter, publisher at St. Clairsville Living and Wheeling Neighbors.

The nominees were part of a nationwide network of women selected by their communities for the Women Of Impact campaign. It launches on National Wear Red Day each year, happening the first Friday in February.

The nine-week competition seeks to inspire changemakers from across the U.S. “to leverage their networks to create an impact in their community,” according to information from the American Heart Association.

Adams-Lohri explained at first she didn’t realize the magnitude of the nomination and was reluctant to accept.

“And then, after sitting with it, I thought what an honor it was to be nominated for something like this. Eventually, I came around and accepted the nomination,” she said. “I don’t think I realized how important this really was until I started learning some of the statistics.”

She thanked the American Heart Association, and her team that helped her with raising the funds.

Lauren Thomas, development director for the American Heart Association noted the $76,750 amount was the second highest raised by the annual event since it began in 2020.

“After doing this campaign for five years, it is just incredible to see all their hard work and know it is going to save lives,” she said. “I’m very, very pleased and honored that these ladies have worked very hard to make this happen.”

Money raised will go toward the American Heart Association’s research and awareness programs, and “anything to promote heart health,” Thomas added.