Clarence Co-Medical Director Nominated for American Heart Association Competition

The Co-Medical Director of the Clarence Central School District, Kelly Naab, said she was inspired to help others through her story of surviving multiple strokes as she was named a Buffalo-area nominee for the American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact competition.

“If I can even help one person, it's worth it,” she said.

Naab, a pediatric nurse practitioner, said she suffered from strokes when she was 35 and 40 years old, and later had a surgery to close a hole in her heart. The incidents took place despite a lifetime of athletic activity and Naab not having the typical risk factors for stroke.

“It can happen to anybody at any time,” Naab said. “I'm not the typical face of stroke, but it happened to me, not once but twice.”

As part of the campaign, Naab has organized multiple fundraising and awareness events, where she has shared how she persevered through her health challenges.

“When I look back, I had to push through to get to where I am today,” she said. “I was going to overcome.”

Naab’s work for the District includes consulting on health-related decision making and supporting District events and committees. In addition to her work with the District, Naab is also a Clarence parent. Her son Cooper is a junior at Clarence High School, and son Ryder is an eighth grader at Clarence Middle School. 

Naab’s nomination for the American Heart Association campaign follows last year’s nomination of Clarence High School alumna Madelyn Ferriter.

Donations for Naab’s campaign will be accepted through April 10. Learn more about Naab and the campaign at https://www2.heart.org/site/TR/?team_id=893405&pg=team&fr_id=11898. More information about the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes can be found at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms.