Healthcare businesswomen: A true force to be reckoned with

May 6, 2010 – 5:25 pm by Gina Monari

On May 6, thousands of individuals gathered on the 3rd floor of the New York Hilton in Manhattan for the 2010 “HBA Woman of the Year” Luncheon, which honored many of the healthcare industry’s rising stars. What a rush and honor to be in the presence of such a dynamic crowd — some of which even attended from afar via live video feed out of sunny California.

Transparency. Respect. Integrity. Just a few of the principals cited by 2010 HBA Woman of the Year Deirdre P. Connelly, who serves as president of North America Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline. Ms. Connelly, and the many rising stars honored at the event, are most definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Following a humid cocktail networking event, decadent salad, and sinful dessert, the inspiring reality of women in the business of healthcare became extremely evident.

Laurie Cooke, CEO, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, highlighted some of the more recent accomplishments of the organization like the addition of the new Florida chapter while enthusiastically ushering in “a new decade of leadership.”

Susan Torroella, president, HBA, chief operating officer, MEDEX Global Group Inc., spoke altruistically about how “success can blind you,” citing 2010 as the “year of the chapter” for the organization as it sets its sights to think more globally while acting more locally.

The 2010 Star Volunteer had no shortage of inspiring verbiage, which did not come as a surprise. Charlene Prounis, founder and managing partner of advertising agency Flashpoint Medica, has served as president on both the corporate and chapter level.

Ms. Prounis has been extremely active with the HBA for more than a dozen years. She is responsible for initiating the Leadership Conference, POWER study and Rising Stars during her first presidency; starting the Metro Chapter of the organization in 2004; serving on the HBA board for a 10 year period; co-chairing the Woman of the Year fundraising committee for the last three years which broke all records; serving as a chapter mentor and remaining involved in promotional material development for the ACE program and the Metro chapter.

“I love the HBA!” Ms. Prounis hollered over the mic with arms raised, as she thanked the inspiring women, mentors, and men who have contributed to the growth and sustainability of women in healthcare and in the business community.

As I swiftly scanned the deep spread of faces, equally impressive was the number of men mingling in the audience, including healthcare advertising industry movers like Al Topin, president, Topin & Associates Inc.

Mark Swindell, president, vaccines, Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals, and HBA’s 2010 Honorable Mentor, referenced that more than 60 attendees from Pfizer were present at the event. He also cited the great responsibility that exists for his own pharmaceutical powerhouse to do good in the industry, while encouraging attendees to forge ahead in fostering the professional growth and development of others so each individual can realize their full potential.

Having been at my first HBA Woman of the Year event, I continued to ponder my own existence in the healthcare industry as a writer, as well as the ever-evolving state of my colleagues back at all of our offices and out in the world, such as Chicago where Editor-In-Chief Chris Truelove had been tirelessly Tweeting from the 2010 BIO International Convention.

I circle back, to glean inspiration from a quote of a quote: “I do not think much of a man [or woman] who is not wiser today than yesterday” — Abraham Lincoln. As Ms. Connelly cited good old Honest Abe, I remembered her chief principals once again: Transparency. Respect. Integrity. Patient focus. And, last but not least: Joy.

Founding fathers aside, although we still have a lot to learn, we have so many to learn from. Today was proof that it is amid these fundamental values that we truly gain sustainable viability — whether it is in our families as mothers, in the community as volunteers, or in business as market movers.

Women truly bring a unique voice of coercion to healthcare — charting change with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Keep on keepin’ on!