Top 5 Most Influential Women in Healthcare Today
March is women's history month, and we're celebrating with a list of the top five most influential women in healthcare today. These are professional women that are making their marks and waves of change in various aspects of their careers.
From CEOs of hospitals to Secretaries of Human Health Services, this list covers women in all different sectors of the healthcare industry. And, while they may all hold different careers, they have one thing in common: they are all making positive change.
The Top 5 Women Who Are Shaping the Healthcare Industry in 2022
1. Madeline Bell | President & CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Madeline Bell started her career as a nurse at CHOP back in 1983. She then moved into hospital administration, only to return to CHOP in 1995, where she held various leadership positions. In 2015, she accepted her current role as president and CEO, where she is making her mark in creating positive change for the hospital.
In 2018, Bell was in charge of revamping the pediatric residency program, she helped support the creation of one of the largest pediatric ambulatory-care networks seen in the US, and she led the expansion of the CHOP campus.
She has received a number of awards, including one of Modern Healthcare's 100 Most Influential People for 2017-2019. She has also been included in Women Inc.'s list of The Most Influential Corporate Directors in 2018.
Bell also has her own blog, Heels of Success where she helps inspire women to "elevate themselves in the workplace."
2. Dr. Mandy Cohen | Secretary, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Mandy Cohen is an internal medicine physician, and the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
She has been recognized for her work at the NC Department of Human Services, and has been working on bringing change amidst the opioid epidemic many areas of the country are experiencing today. One of her most notable accomplishments was being able to help secure $90 million dollars in funding to help with opioid prevention in the state of North Carolina.
As the state's health secretary, she has also helped with different early education plans, has made positive changes in Medicaid, and has put a women's mentorship program into place to help support women leaders.
She is definitely an influential woman in healthcare that will continue to do great things in 2022!
3. Dr. Laura Forese | Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Dr. Laura Forese is a Senior Leader at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She plays a large role in the hospital's mission of patient-centered outcomes. She was also featured in The Secrets of Wealthy Women Podcast, where she talks about how the most important path to women's success is health.
Forese is also a strong believer that women leaders can change the future of our healthcare system, and on the podcast, she shares how women need to become more comfortable with fearless decision making. Dr. Laura Forese doesn't think that women need to be more decisive, but that they need to know that it's ok to be decisive, not expecting that everyone may like that decision.
She is certainly paving a path by helping more women leaders rise in their careers, while also helping shape how the future of our current healthcare system looks.
4. Judy Faulkner | CEO of Epic Systems Corp.
Perhaps one of the most talked-about self-made women in the healthcare industry, Judy Faulkner, has made her mark for being an extremely successful female leader.
She founded Epic, the leading medical records software used today. This medical records system is used by major medical centers, including the Mayo Clinic.
Faulkner developed this program right from her basement, and what's even more impressive is that she pledged to eventually donate 99% of earnings in this massively successful company to charity.
She is also on the Forbes list of Power Women 2019 for her success.
5. Dr. Patrice Harris | President of the American Medical Association
Dr. Patrice, is a psychiatrist with many years of experience in private practice, public health administration, and patient advocacy. Dr. Patrice is also the very first African American woman to be elected into the position of President of the American Medical Association back in June 2019.
She is also chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force and is currently making waves in ending the opioid epidemic. She plans to continue to work with the Opioid Task Force to make treatment more accessible and affordable, and to help put an end to the stigma that is often attached to substance abuse issues.
Dr. Patrice also has a passion for improving the lives of children, while also being of service to those in need. She brings this passion to all aspects of her career.
Celebrating Women's History Month With The Most Influential Women in the Industry
It's clear that women in leadership roles are making huge changes in the healthcare system and are setting the tone for future women leaders to continue climbing the ladder of leadership and positive change.
Let's let these influential women inspire us to continue to support female leaders, and to keep making positive changes in all aspects of the healthcare system.
Read More About Women's History Month
Sources
Modernhealthcare.com. Madeline Bell. Accessed March 1, 2021 at https://www.modernhealthcare.com/awards/2019-top-25-women-leaders-madeline-bell
NCDHHS.gov. Dr. Mandy K. Cohen. Accessed March 1, 2021 at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/leadership/dr-mandy-k-cohen
Forbes.com. Judy Faulkner. Accessed March 1, 2021 at https://www.forbes.com/profile/judy-faulkner/#72fa792f33b8
