Every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day to acknowledge women's social, economic, and cultural achievements. National Doctors’ Day, on March 30th, is a day to reflect on the important physicians in our lives and all doctors do for us. Both celebrations serve as reminders of how far the healthcare industry has come and where we strive to go next.
Currently, more women are enrolled in medical school than men—a far different picture than in 1970 when only 1 in 10 medical students was female. In contrast, less than 20% of women hold healthcare leadership roles. We wanted to take a moment to highlight the essential contributions of women in healthcare and leadership who continue to pave the way for women everywhere.
- Mary Quinan, MD - In the 1980s, as a leading researcher and educator on sexually transmitted diseases, Dr. Quinan was one of the first scientists in America to recognize emerging HIV/AIDS cases as part of a more significant epidemic. She was also the first woman to become chief scientific advisor at the Center for Disease Control.
- Odette Balano - Serving as president and CEO of Saint Alphonsus Health System since 2018, she has been named one of the most influential clinical executives. With her current initiative with Boise State University College of Health Sciences, she is changing the way we think about medical education and care delivery.
- Julielynn Wong, MD, MPH - A Harvard-educated and award-winning physician, Dr. Wong is an innovator in 3D printing medical devices in harsh environments. She is the founding director of the Center for Innovative Technologies and Public Health and the creator of 3D4MD.
- Tanya Blackmon - As the Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Officer at Novant Health, she is one of Modern Healthcare’s top 25 Women Leaders of 2021. With Thriving Together’s launch, creating a COVID-19 fund, and increasing breast cancer screening among minority populations, she is dedicated to helping different communities.
- Kizzmekia Corbett, MD - Dr. Corbett, a scientist at the National Institutes of Health, is an expert and has been at the forefront of developing a vaccine against SARS-CoV-s. She will be remembered in history books as one of the key players against the fight that could end the pandemic.