Celebrating Women's History Month: Reflections From Women Leaders in Healthcare
At Transcarent, we’re passionate about this year’s Women’s History Month theme: “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." Our team, business partners, and industry friends share their perspective, advice and expertise.
March 18, 2024
Women are at the forefront of healthcare innovation and our organization. With women comprising the majority of Transcarent's executive leadership team (and the general population!), we celebrate their invaluable contribution to our mission and the significant role they play in advocating for and driving meaningful healthcare change.
Since women in the United States make approximately 80% of the healthcare decisions for their families1, it’s smart business strategy to have women in leadership roles. As our CFO Stephanie Peng points out, “we’ve seen companies with more women in leadership roles outperform those without by a significant margin. It’s time to promote more women leaders.” Snezana Mahon, Transcarent COO reflects on how, “women tend to drive initiatives with a tremendous amount of collaboration and empathy." And many leaders agree that women leadership is needed to help address the health disparities that reinforce the gender gap in healthcare, especially in medical research.
At Transcarent, we’re especially passionate about this year’s Women’s History Month theme: “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." Our team, business partners, and industry friends have inspiring perspectives on this topic, so we asked them to share their advice and expertise. We’re excited to showcase their voices to help uplift everyone toward healthier and successful futures.
In their own words, they share why we need women in healthcare leadership roles to change the healthcare status quo for the better; their advice for women who are striving to make a difference in a leadership role; and how they are personally advocating for healthcare equity.
Here’s some of the advice and insight we received from women we admire!
“Having women in leadership roles leads to policy decisions that support whole population health and women’s healthcare specifically.” Erica Davila, General Counsel, Transcarent.
“Women offer diverse perspectives, compassion, and have a profound grasp on patient needs.” Lauren Gums, EVP, Clinical Services, Transcarent.
“Women are unique in providing improvement in patient care, from empathy to focus on prevention. We’re the changemakers that healthcare needs!” Helen Schnase, VP Clinic Services, Transcarent.
It’s good for patients, and it’s good for business when women have a seat at the table.” Jessi Aakre, Care Experience Lead, Transcarent.
“Develop a clear vision. Know what you're passionate about…surround yourself with mentors who believe in you!” Stephanie Blauwkamp, VP Marketing, 9amHealth.
"Embrace unapologetic self-belief, celebrate your unique strengths...own your narrative and lead without limits." Christine Cruz, Director of Client Success, ViewFi.
"Be authentic to yourself and to your voice. Be vocally curious in every room that you step into and you will shine." Kim Duck, VP Global Benefits, News Corp.
"Healthcare needs innovation so don't be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone." Andrea Pickett, Chief Customer Officer, Prescryptive Health.
"Surround yourself with women who are courageous like yourself and radiate the same strength and poise that you do." Paula Renzi, Director Channel Sales, Sword Health.
“Embody the behaviors you expect to see in those around you, practice resiliency, lean into uncertainty.” Kelli Morrison, VP Payer & Channel Partnerships, Spring Health.
“I vote for women’s health equity from mom’s prenatal care all the way through end of life!” Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, Health Economist, Advisor, Trend Weaver/THINK-Health and Health Populi blog.
I’m advocating for prioritizing mis and disinformation and that we battle it as a healthcare industry…we know that some of our most underserved populations are affected by this.” Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA, Physician, Health Tech Leader & Author of “Dead Wrong.”
"Women are looking for healthcare services that are safe, effective, and appropriate. They are the chief medical officer of the home...and I want her to have those services where and when she needs them. That only happens when we use telehealth meet her, her kids, her parents, her partner - when and where they are." Ann Mond Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, American Telemedicine Association.
"Only 17% of women are decision makers or checkwriters at venture capital firms, according to PitchBook. It's my goal to help increase diverse checkwriters so we can invest in diverse founders and the health equity that we’re looking to build." Alyssa Jaffee, Partner, 7wireVentures.