Caregiver Spotlight
PHP Caregiver Spotlight: Carol Brandt
12 May 2025
In honor of Women's Health Week, we're spotlighting Carol Brandt, Executive Assistant at Providence Health Plan, whose personal connection to heart disease has fueled her passion for the American Heart Association.
For Carol, the American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk isn't just another fundraiser – it's deeply personal.
"My dad was diagnosed with heart disease at a very early age," Carol shares. "He passed away in 1991 at the age of 67. He only got to spend a short time with my daughter, his first grandchild."
This loss, coming years after losing her mother to liver disease when Carol was just 13, fueled a lifelong commitment to health and wellness that continues to inspire those around her.
Last year held special significance for Carol. Not only was it the American Heart Association's 100th anniversary, but February 24, 2024, would have been her father's 100th birthday. This meaningful coincidence inspired Carol to step up as a team coach, forming "The Heart Throbs" team at Providence Health Plan.
The inaugural Heart Throbs team included Carol's daughter and her then 9-month-old granddaughter, Peyton James, who joined the walk in her stroller, along with family friends and Providence colleagues. Together, they hit their fundraising goals while honoring Carol's father's memory.
Carol comes from a family of innovators. Her twin sister is an advocate for women's health through regular group walks, and her sister Karen made history as a women's sports pioneer in the Pacific Northwest, becoming a Hall of Famer at Portland State.
"I've had many mentors along the way that have taught me how to be a leader," Carol reflects, drawing on her unique career path that included 25 years in the male-dominated maritime industry before transitioning to healthcare.
What makes this year's Heart Walk particularly special? Peyton, who rode in a stroller during last year's event, will be walking alongside her grandmother this time.
The 2025 walk, set to take place at the University of Portland campus, marks a continuing tradition for this three-generation family committed to heart health.
Carol's commitment to health extends far beyond the annual Heart Walk. She's an avid walker who meets her identical twin sister every Saturday morning in downtown Lake Oswego for group walks. Her fitness routine also includes yoga twice weekly, a weekly swim class, and competitive bocce ball.
"I guess my motto, from my brother-in-law back in Washington DC, has been 'you've got to just keep on moving,'" Carol explains. "That's my encouragement – to keep on moving. I want to see people move, get out and start walking, even if it's for 15-20 minutes at a time.”
As Women's Health Week reminds us of the importance of preventive care and healthy habits, Carol's story demonstrates how personal experiences can transform into powerful advocacy for community health.
