Meet Our Guest: 

Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD is an accomplished, strategic leader with a deep understanding of health economics and a heart-felt commitment to outstanding patient care. Her diverse background as a healthcare executive, health economist, physician and health policy expert has given her a unique perspective on how health policy impacts the real lives of patients. She most recently served as Vice President of Clinical Care Transformation at MedStar Health, where she conceptualized, designed, and implemented population health and value-based care initiatives and served on the senior leadership of the 10 hospital, 300+ outpatient care site health system. The care models and service lines under her leadership, including community health, geriatrics, and palliative care, have been nationally recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others. She also cared for patients as an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Georgetown University School of Medicine.

 

Key Insights: 

Dr. Seshamani transitioned from being a physician to a health economist to fulfill her passion of contributing to the community.

 

● Diversity in Leadership: Dr. Seshamani highlights the positive impact of having women and people of color in leadership roles at CMS.

● Balancing Private and Public Sector: Her background in both the private and public sectors has enriched her understanding of complex healthcare issues, allowing for innovative solutions and thoughtful policymaking.

● Overcoming Obstacles: Dr. Seshamani triumphs over obstacles in her path and advocates for a culture that values qualifications over appearance.

 

This episode is hosted by Ceci Connolly. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and President and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Dr. Seshamani

Follow Dr. Seshamani on Twitter

Meet Our Guest: 

Madeline Bell is the President and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which is one of the top-ranked children’s hospitals in the United States and was ranked No. 1 on Forbes’ 2022 list of America’s Best Large Employers. Most recently, she was named one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” and one of its “50 Most Influential Clinical Executives” and was included on Forbes’ “50 Over 50: Vision” list, Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Power 100 2022” list, and Philadelphia Magazine’s list of “The 100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia.” Ms. Bell is the host of Breaking Through with Madeline Bell, a podcast that features interviews with CHOP patients, doctors and scientists, as well as with philanthropists and innovators who support CHOP’s mission. She holds a bachelor of science in Nursing from Villanova University and a master of science in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Key Insights: 

Madeline Bell, President and CEO of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), shares her career journey from a pediatric nurse to hospital administration.
 

● The Curiosity Trajectory. Madeline emphasizes the importance of curiosity and a desire for more decision-making power in her career trajectory.

● Networking for Women. Networking has been a challenge for women, including Madeline, but she encourages women to be intentional and planful in developing their networks.

● Follow the Leader. As a leader, Madeline believes in inspiring and uniting people around a common purpose, helping them understand their role and the bigger picture.

 

This episode is hosted by Sandi Fenwick, Former CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital. 

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Madeline

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Meet Our Guest: 

Fawn Lopez is Publisher Emeritus of Modern Healthcare, she formerly held the position of Vice President and Publisher from 2005 - 2022. As the industry's leading source of healthcare business and policy news, research and information, Modern Healthcare serves the needs of top healthcare executives by reporting on important healthcare events and trends, as they happen, through our website, e-newsletters, mobile app, and print magazine, and by hosting a dozen annual events and conferences across the country. In her role as publisher, Mrs. Lopez oversaw the editorial, sales and marketing, digital, and audience development associates who together power the Modern Healthcare media brand.

Key Insights: 

Fawn Lopez touches on the challenges of being a woman and a minority while emphasizing that education and integrity gave her the drive to succeed.

 

● Publisher Emeritus. Fawn retired from Modern Healthcare in 2022 but remains involved in some of the key initiatives, including women leaders in healthcare and sustainability.

● From Accountant to Healthcare. Engaging with people, learning their life stories, and facilitating conversations that lead to change in the industry is what fuels Fawn’s passions. If you’re passionate about what you do, your work is a privilege.

● Don’t Hold Back. Fawn advises people to work hard, be opportunistic, have a sense of purpose, and never be afraid to ask for help or advice.

 

This episode is hosted by Carladenise Edwards, Ph.D., Strategic Advisor.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Fawn Lopez

Follow Fawn on Twitter

In this episode of Her Story, we sit down with Arielle Mir, Vice President of Health Care at Arnold Ventures, and discuss how to be an influential leader and how to juggle the many responsibilities leadership can entail.

In this episode of Her Story, we get to know Dr. Sanjula Jain, a health services researcher and strategic advisor and Co-founder of Think Medium who will be hosting Her Story starting out in season two. We learn about her journey as a woman leader and where she hopes to take Her Story in the future.

Watch our season 1 guests share their best advice and memorable experiences during their leadership journey.

On this episode, Ceci Ruth Williams-Brinkley is president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. In this episode of Her Story hosted by Ceci Connelly, President and CEO of The Alliance of Community Health Plans, we sit down with Ruth Williams-Brinkley, President of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. Ceci and Ruth discussed how Ruth’s experience growing up in the segregated south and training as a nurse prepared her for an unconventional career path culminating as CEO for several hospital systems prior to her current role at The Alliance of Community Health Plans.

In this special episode of Her Story, we bring together three special guests from this season to share their experiences about handling life as a mother alongside a successful executive career. We hear from Dr. Vineet Arora, Nancy-Ann DeParle, and Kim Keck.

In this special #FoundersSeries episode of Her Story, we bring back two of our favorite interviews with Halle Tecco and Carolyn Witte to highlight the challenge of overcoming odds as female founders. Halle and Carolyn discuss the challenges they faced when founding Rock Health and Tia, respectively, as well as the strategies they employed to succeed despite the odds being stacked against them.

This episode of Her Story features Lisa David, President and CEO of Public Health Solutions. In this conversation, hosted by Dr. Joanne Conroy, President and CEO of Dartmouth Hitchcock and Dartmouth Hitchcock Health, we learn about Lisa's career trajectory from consulting and academic medicine to renowned public health nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood, and the value of prioritizing influence over decision making along the way.

In this episode of Her Story, we sit down with Dr. Coleen Kivlahan, Head of Primary Care and Professor of Family Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. We learn about Dr. Kivlahan's long standing dedication to serving underserved patient populations, and courageous approach to building more equitable systems of care, domestically and internationally.

This episode of Her Story features Terry Fulmer, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation. In this conversation, hosted by Dr. Joanne Conroy, President and CEO of Dartmouth Hitchcock and Dartmouth Hitchcock Health, we learn about Terry's career path, from bedside nursing to academia to leading the national conversation around age-friendly health systems.

In this episode of Her Story hosted by Dr. Joanne Conroy, President and CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, we sit down with Kim A. Keck, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Joanne and Kim discussed how Kim's unconventional path ultimately led to her appointment as the first woman to serve as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s president and CEO since the organization was founded four decades ago.

Meet Our Guest: 

Catherine A. Jacobson, FHFMA, CPA serves as president and CEO of Froedtert Health, a regional health care system based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jacobson joined Froedtert Health in 2010 as executive vice president of finance and strategy, chief financial officer and chief strategy officer. She was promoted in 2011, becoming president and in 2012, she assumed the CEO role. Prior to joining Froedtert Health, Jacobson spent 22 years at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago in various leadership roles.

Key Insights: 

Cathy Jacobson discusses various strategies for developing and promoting women leaders in healthcare.

 

● Women in Healthcare. Healthcare has a disproportionately low representation of women in leadership positions, despite being an 80% female workforce. Cathy’s mission is to increase the 30% of women in healthcare leadership roles. 

● From Accountant to Healthcare. Cathy began as an accountant before becoming a CEO of an academic regional healthcare system. Diverse backgrounds can help career growth and offer different perspectives.

● You Belong at the Table. Cathy encourages women to use their voice at the table. Being on a board allows one to network, meet new people, and experience different governance, which can make one a better leader.

 

This episode is hosted by Sandra Fenwick, Former CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Cathy Jacobson

2022 Most Influential in Healthcare Catherine Jacobson

In this episode of Her Story, we sat down with Joanne Conroy, M.D., President and CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. Lynne Chou O’Keefe and Dr. Conroy discuss her trajectory from the early days of clinical practice, to administrative leadership, and her extraordinary resilience and commitment to championing women along the way.

In this special edition of Her Story, we've asked a few of our guests if they consider themselves to be an accidental or intentional leader. This episode features Ceci Connolly, Nancy-Ann DeParle, Carolyn Witte, Vineet Arora, M.D., and Carolyn Magill.

https://www.thinkmedium.com/her-story/ep-13-biology-based-decision-making/

In this episode of Her Story, we sat down with Carolyn Magill, CEO of Aetion. We discuss how Carolyn's accidental foray into healthcare, but intentional path to leadership, has shaped her wide-lens view of the industry.

This episode of Her Story features Carolyn Witte, CEO and Co-founder of Tia. In this conversation hosted by Lynne Chou O'Keefe, Founder and Managing Partner of Define Ventures, we learn how Carolyn's experience with PCOS inspired her to redesign the women's health experience, and how it has informed her approach to entrepreneurial leadership along the way.

In this episode of Her Story, we sat down with our next show host, Lynne Chou O’Keefe, Founder and Managing Partner at Define Ventures. As our next show host, Lynne brings a wealth of leadership experience to the table. We discussed her courageous journey from operator to investor to creator in the healthcare industry.

In this special episode of Her Story, we bring together special guests from this season to share their take on the significance of mentorship in their career trajectories. We hear from Nancy-Ann DeParle, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Carolyn Witte, and Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath.

In the latest episode of Her Story, we sat down with Sandra L. Fenwick, CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital. We discussed Sandi's trailblazing, forty-year career and her path to becoming an exemplar, healthcare administrator, and advocate for children's health.

In this episode of Her Story, we sat down with Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, President and CEO of BIO, and Rachel King, Co-Founder and CEO of GlycoMimetics, Inc. In this conversation, Rachel and Michelle reflect on their careers in biotechnology and scientific innovation, from the lab bench to academia, government, venture capital and chief executive, and the leadership lessons learned along the way.

Read or watch the episode at www.thinkmedium.com/herstory

Meet Our Guest: 

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where she will oversee programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the HealthCare.gov health insurance marketplace. She has decades of experience in the federal government and played a key role in guiding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through passage and implementation. She led the agency's implementation of ACA coverage and insurance reform policy provisions and assisted House leaders in passing several healthcare laws. Brooks-LaSure began her career as a program examiner and lead Medicaid analyst for the Office of Management and Budget.

Key Insights: 

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure discusses challenges of work-life balance, especially for women and mothers, and her efforts to promote health equity at CMS.

 

● Support is Necessary. As the first Black female administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Chiquita gives credit to mentorship and supportive colleagues, particularly women who helped her grow both professionally and personally.

● Representation Matters. Diverse perspectives, including experiences and race, make a difference in decision-making. It is important to see women of color in powerful roles.

● Health Equity. The core of health equity is making sure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve optimal health, which is something Chiquita works at every day.

 

This episode is hosted by Ceci Connolly. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and President and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.

Relevant Links: 

CMS Leadership

Follow Chaquita on Twitter

In this episode of Her Story, we sat down with November Host: Dr. Julie Gerberding, Chief Patient Officer and Executive Vice President at Merck. An infectious disease expert, Dr. Gerberding is the former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and she is a champion of women leaders across the global healthcare industry. Dr. Gerberding shared her journey from her early days of academia to leading a national public health agency and later, a global pharmaceutical company.

In our latest episode of Her Story, we sat down with Dr. Vineet Arora, Professor and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Learning Environment, The University of Chicago Medicine. We discussed career advancement as a woman leader in healthcare, pay inequities between female and male physicians, and the many perspectives healthcare leaders must have to grow and succeed in the field.

In our latest episode of Her Story, we sat down with Halle Tecco, Founder & CEO of Natalist and Founder of Rock Health. We talked about how stereotypes affect women in healthcare leadership roles, setting boundaries as a working mother and business leader, the courage and resilience of female leaders in the healthcare industry, and how to best support women leading in health.

In the latest episode of the Her Story podcast, we sat down with Nancy-Ann DeParle, Partner at Consonance Capital and former Deputy Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama. Nancy-Ann was an architect of the Affordable Care Act, with extensive experience in state, federal, and corporate leadership. We discussed her experiences as a woman leading in government, the importance of leadership mentors, and the evolving role of women in government and corporate leadership.

In this episode of Her Story, we introduce our first host, Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP). We talk about women in healthcare leadership roles and why it’s important for female leaders to share their stories. We also discussed Ceci’s early career in journalism, her transition into healthcare leadership, and her leadership philosophies as a woman in the healthcare industry.

Welcome to Her Story, the weekly podcast developed by women for women who are currently or aspirationally building careers in healthcare. Each episode, we sit down with an executive leader to discuss “Her Story” of building a career while also empowering women everywhere to change the way we envision leadership possibilities in healthcare.

Meet Our Guest: 

Today’s episode features previous guests on Her Story: Leslie Meehan, Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health, Angelika Fretzen, Ph.D., M.B.A., Technology Translation Director & COO, Wyss Institute at Harvard University, and Carladenise Edwards, Ph.D., Strategic Advisor.

Key Insights: 

Let’s celebrates women's achievements by discussing imposter syndrome and how women executives can overcome it.

 

● Recognizing Your Worth. Carladenise Edwards emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own worth and deservingness of opportunities.

● From Doubt to Success:. Angelika Fretzen pursued a career in chemistry, initially faced doubts about her career choice due to the lack of female leaders in the field. However, she persisted and ultimately found success in biotech, despite feeling like an imposter at times.

● Leading with Confidence. Leslie Meehan notes that women often face greater scrutiny and labels than men. These factors can contribute to imposter syndrome.

Relevant Links: 

Ep. 96: Define Your Own Path with Angelika Fretzen, Ph.D., M.B.A.

Ep. 101: Be Brave, Be Fearless with Carladenise Edwards, Ph.D.

Ep. 82: Urban Planning Meets Public Health with Leslie Meehan

Meet Our Guest: 

Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, has served as president and CEO of ChristianaCare since 2014, leading a transformation from a health care system to a system that truly impacts health. She is nationally recognized as a pioneer and thought leader in value-based care and population health, and for her assertion that truly great health care is built on the values of love and excellence. These values are exemplified in her commitment to health equity and anti-racism, and to improving health, making high-quality care more accessible and lowering health care costs for everyone in the communities that ChristianaCare has the privilege to serve. Her leadership has also vaulted ChristianaCare to national recognition for its advancement of caregiver wellbeing through the work of the Center for WorkLife Wellbeing.

Key Insights: 

Janice Nevin, M.D. discusses what it is like being the first woman to be the head of Delaware's largest hospital system.

● Share Your Values. As CEO of ChristianaCare, Janice believes that organizations that clearly share their values and connect people to those values will thrive.

● From Clinical to Administrative. Janice transitioned from clinical frontline leadership to administrative leadership in the healthcare system. She explains that she chose to grow and develop as a physician executive, which led her to the Chief Medical Officer role and her introduction to the C-suite.

● Lead With Love. Leading with love means walking towards problems and doing hard things. Janice engaged the entire organization to define its values and emerged with a value statement of serving together guided by the values of excellence and love.

This episode is hosted by Sanjula Jain, Ph.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story, co-founder of Think Medium, and the SVP, Market Strategy and Chief Research Officer at Trilliant Health.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Janice Nevin

Follow Janice Nevin on Twitter

Meet Our Guest: 

Suzanne S. Youngkin is the First Lady of Virginia and wife of Governor Glenn Youngkin. In addition to supporting her husband's campaign, her initiative Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia’s Women+girls (W+g) focuses her time and travels on supporting public and private sector efforts to improve overall well-being, with special attention to the unprecedented increase in drug overdose, as well as accelerating workforce preparedness. Mrs. Youngkin continues to serve as President of the Phos Foundation and engage in an array of nonprofit activities while managing the affairs of a small equine farm in Northern Virginia. Married for almost 29 years, the couple has four children and are founding and active members of Holy Trinity Church (HTC) in McLean, Virginia.

Key Insights: 

Suzanne Youngkin discusses her early days as First Lady of Virginia and shares her stance on the importance of women's sisterhood and leadership.

 

● First Days as First Lady. As First Lady, Suzanne has focused on empowering women and building a sisterhood of support for women in Virginia. She has spoken at events and worked to create opportunities for women to connect and collaborate, both within Virginia and across the country.

● Sisterhood. Women are looking for a place to come together, join forces and problem-solve. COVID-19 highlighted the critical importance of sisterhood and fellowship because women felt a responsibility at home and in their communities.

● Celebrate the Small Things. Suzanne addresses the challenges faced by younger women, suggesting that setting realistic expectations and celebrating small accomplishments are key to making a difference in the world.

 

This episode is hosted by Nancy Howell Agee. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and President and Chief Executive Officer of Carilion Clinic.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Suzanne Youngkin

Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia’s Women and Girls

Meet Our Guest: 

Deborah H. Telman is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel at Gilead Sciences, Inc., responsible for Government Affairs, Policy, Public Affairs, Legal, and Compliance functions. She has over 25 years of experience in providing legal counsel both in-house and in private practice, including experience in global mergers and acquisitions and governance. Deb holds a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a board member of AtriCure, Inc. and City Colleges of Chicago, and a Board Member of the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Key Insights: 

Deb's career philosophy emphasizes the importance of following one's passion, taking risks, and pivoting when necessary.

 

● Your Career is a Lattice. Deb maintained a focus on following her passion and making an impact, and believes that the zigzag in her career has helped her become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

● Pivot! Throughout her career, Deb demonstrated a willingness to take risks, pivot as needed, and always keep her priorities in mind. She encourages others that it is never too late to go after what you want.

● Great Minds. It is important to collaborate with like-minded individuals, regardless of their background, and build relationships so that you can bring the best value to the company or situation.

 

This episode is hosted by Julie Gerberding, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and is the Chief Executive Officer for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Deb Telman

Check out Gilead’s website

Meet Our Guest: 

Dr. Carladenise Edwards is a seasoned Strategic Advisor and a former Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for several prominent healthcare organizations, including Henry Ford Health System, Providence St. Joseph Health, and Alameda Health System. She also serves as a board member for organizations such as Heluna Health, RAND Health, American Board of Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and Healthcare Financial Management Association. Dr. Edwards holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's in Education and Counseling Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Medical Sociology from the University of Florida.

Key Insights: 

Carladenise Edwards discusses the challenges faced by women and minorities in taking on leadership roles in the healthcare industry.

● Reinvesting in Public Health. By strengthening public health infrastructure, we can create a more equitable and effective healthcare system that prioritizes the health and well-being of women and all people. This is essential for empowering women in leadership and ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need to live healthy and secure lives.

● ”White Flight.” Carladenise’s belief and concern that the opportunities for women and minorities to take on leadership roles will only continue to proliferate as long as the healthcare industry continues to suffer.

● The Rewards of Hard Work. Women in leadership roles often face unique challenges, but their determination and hard work can lead to real, tangible results. By embracing the challenges and putting in the effort, women can make a significant impact on the healthcare system and drive positive change for everyone.

This episode is hosted by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D., MBA​, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Think Medium.

Relevant Links: 

Follow Dr. Edwards on Twitter

Read more about Dr. Edwards

Meet Our Guest: 

Ashley Thompson serves as the Senior Vice President for Public Policy Analysis and Development at the American Hospital Association (AHA). Since 2015, she has been instrumental in providing direction and oversight for the formation and promotion of the AHA's policy positions. Ashley leads the formal policy development process of the AHA, which includes gathering input from prominent hospital leaders to address issues related to advocacy, public policy, and field leadership. Her tenure with the AHA spans over two decades, during which she has held various roles in shaping policy.

Key Insights: 

Ashley Thompson discusses the current state of the healthcare landscape and the challenges faced by hospitals and the workforce.

● Post-Pandemic. Ashley suggests that the pivot out of the pandemic should be used as an opportunity to change the way healthcare is delivered and financed in order to increase access, quality, patient satisfaction, and decrease the overall cost of care.

● Lemons into Lemonade. After facing some discrimination as a woman in the workplace and being seen as an assistant despite her qualifications, Ashley sees these experiences as opportunities to carve her own path and make a difference.

● Being True. Mentors and influencers that have made a difference in her career gave Ashley opportunities and taught her valuable lessons about being authentic and genuine, as well as the importance of flexibility.

This episode is hosted by Nancy Howell Agee. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and President and Chief Executive Officer of Carilion Clinic.

Relevant Links: 

Read Ashley’s Q&A

Visit the AHA’s website

Meet Our Guest: 

Meet Shellye Archambeau, an accomplished CEO and Board Director who has a history of success in building brands, leading high-performance teams and growing organizations. With her experience as the former CEO of MetricStream, Archambeau currently holds board positions at major companies such as Verizon, Roper Technologies and Okta. Additionally, she serves as a strategic advisor for Forbes Ignite and holds the position of President of Arizona State University. Archambeau also lends her expertise to non-profit organizations Catalyst and Braven as a board member. Her book, "Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms" offers inspiration and practical tools to help readers navigate the challenges and trade-offs of creating the life they want.

Key Insights: 

Shellye Archambeau discusses her book "Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers and Create Success on Your Own Terms" and offers valuable advice to other aspiring leaders on recognizing opportunities, finding mentors, and creating effective networks.

● From 16 to CEO. Shelley had a desire to become CEO at the age of 16 after her involvement in various clubs and organizations developed a desire for leadership.

● Strength and Resilience. After being a minority in business her entire life, Shellye was able to use this to her advantage when it came to operational skills in unique roles. It was what set her apart from others and gave her insight to a different mindset in business.

● Be Comfortable With the Uncomfortable. Taking risks isn’t always comfortable. Shellye advises women to be sure to take calculated risks because if you don’t, you’ll miss out on opportunities and rewards.

This episode is hosted by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D., MBA​, Founder, Chairman & CEO Think Medium.

Relevant Links: 

Check out Shellye’s website

Follow Shellye on Twitter

Order a copy of Shellye’s book

Meet Our Guest: 

Joyce Murphy brings a wealth of health care experience and a deep understanding of the New England health care landscape to our board. She retired from Commonwealth Medicine and the UMass Medical School in 2018, after a dozen years focused on developing solutions to the most challenging health care policy and public health populations. From 1991 through 2005, she held various positions at Caritas Christi Health Care System, including president of Caritas Carney Hospital, president of St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center, and vice president of St. Margaret’s Hospital for Women. She was a 2019 Advanced Leadership Fellow at Harvard Business School and has been repeatedly honored as an outstanding leader. Joyce joined the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care board of directors in 2009, serving as chair from 2017 to 2020. She serves on several other boards and commissions, including the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission Advisory Council and the state treasurer’s Advisory Committee on Wage Equality, and is on the boards of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, Curry College, and UHealthSolutions.

 

Key Insights: 

Joyce Murphy's story showcases her diverse experiences and the impact she has made in healthcare and community service throughout her career.
 

● The Strength to Give Back. Joyce shared her personal background, growing up in a family focused on service and having a brother with a severe illness. This experience instilled in her a sense of responsibility to give back.

● Service & Responsibility. She started from volunteering with children to working in the prison system and eventually leading in the field of child support enforcement before making her way into healthcare.

● Make Yourself Be Heard! Joyce emphasized the importance of women being taken seriously, and encouraged women to persist and find effective ways to be heard.

 

This episode is hosted by Sandi Fenwick, Former CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital. 

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Joyce

Joyce Murphy - 2019 ALI Fellow

Meet Our Guest: 

Marylou Sudders is the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she oversees 12 state agencies and the MassHealth program, with a combined budget of over $27 billion and 22,000 public employees. As a social worker, she is committed to the health and well-being of Massachusetts residents and addressing equity and reforming behavioral health care. In March 2020, she was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to lead the state’s COVID-19 Response Command Center and under her leadership, Massachusetts stood up robust in-state testing capacity, a nation-leading contact tracing program, and a nationally acclaimed data reporting system. Currently, Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccine administration.

Key Insights: 

Marylou Sudders discusses her role as social worker who is committed to the health and well-being of Massachusetts residents, with a focus on addressing equity and reforming behavioral health care to improve access to care.

● Leading With a Purpose. Her mother's struggle with depression and subsequent death had a profound impact on MaryLou and led her to want to understand and work on breaking down barriers in mental health and healthcare in general.

● Women Supporting Women. Marylou points out that she was always willing to step up and take on leadership roles, but she sought out mentors, particularly women, who opened doors of opportunity for her.

● Rolling Out the Solution. In March 2020, she was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to lead the state’s COVID-19 Response Command Center and under her leadership, Massachusetts stood up robust in-state testing capacity, a nation-leading contact tracing program, and a nationally acclaimed data reporting system.

This episode is hosted by Sandra Fenwick, Former CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital.

Relevant Links: 

Read about Marylou Sudders

Follow her on Twitter

 

Meet Our Guest: 

Sian Beilock is a cognitive scientist by training and serves as the eighth President of Barnard College at Columbia University, and the President-Elect of Dartmouth College. As one of the most selective academic institutions in the United States, Barnard College is devoted to empowering exceptional women to change the world and the way we think about it.

Key Insights: 

Sian Beilock emphasizes the importance of learning and listening when taking on a new leadership role, and finding the "low hanging fruit" that can help to move the organization forward.

● Empowering Women in STEM. The opportunity to lead Barnard College because it focused on empowering women and promoting academic excellence was a major factor in Sian’s decision to take on the role of President.

● No One’s Path is Linear. At Barnard, she has focused on supporting students and alumni in their career journeys, particularly women who may take non-linear paths to be a vocal advocate for issues related to women in leadership and the workplace, writing op-eds and articles on the subject.

● On Handling Failures. She advises young women that it is important to be self-compassionate and to treat oneself like a good friend, especially when faced with challenges or setbacks.

This episode is hosted by Joanne Conroy, M.D. is the CEO and President of Dartmouth Health.

Relevant Links: 

Check out Sian Beilock’s website

Read her article "I was elected to become the first woman to lead Dartmouth in over 250 years–and I still doubt myself. Here’s why that’s a good thing"

Check out her articles on Forbes

Meet Our Guest: 

Angelika Fretzen, Ph.D., M.B.A. is the Wyss Institute’s Technology Translation Director and COO. She earned her Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and gained postdoctoral experience in the laboratory of Professor Gregory Verdine at Harvard University. Following her academic training, Dr. Fretzen pursued her M.B.A. at Suffolk University, Boston, and subsequently held leadership positions at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, and at Catabasis Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA, where she was Senior Vice President of Product Development.

Key Insights: 

Dr. Fretzen discusses her experience of being a woman in STEM and how she encourages younger generations to join the STEM community.

● From Germany to Harvard. Dr. Fretzen was young when she took interest in STEM. She quickly realized this was seen as an unorthodox path growing up in Germany, but nevertheless prevailed and made it to her current position at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University.

● A Career In Chemistry. Going from industry to academia, she enjoyed this career turn. Her industry experience enabled her to gain a deep understanding of the processes involved in developing and de-risking therapeutic products from pre-clinical stages to the clinical market.

● The Only Woman in The Room. Dr. Fretzen’s impressive and innovative career has sometimes caused her to be the only woman in the room. Even if this was sometimes a difficult path to forge, she believes that no matter what you do, be sure to follow your passion.

This episode is hosted by Sandra Fenwick, Former CEO, Boston Children’s Hospital.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Angelika Fretzen

Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Meet Alexis Stiles: 

Alexis Stiles leads Spencer Stuart’s Global Healthcare Practice. She is also a member of the Firm’s CEO and Board Practices and currently chairs the firm’s Nominations Committee. Prior to Spencer Stuart, she was an Engagement Manager for McKinsey & Company. She received a Bachelor’s in Psychology and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Key Insights: 

Alexis Stiles discusses career progressions and how women in leadership can be supported by others.

● Advising and Recruiting CEOs. The role of a consultant has evolved in the 25 years that Alexis has worked in the healthcare industry. She now leads Spencer Stuart’s Global Healthcare Practice spanning the firm’s work in all aspects of healthcare.

● How COVID Has Affected Leadership. The burnout of frontline staff is requiring CEOs to be more engaged and visible with what is going on in the organization. Many health systems are looking for their leader to be clear around their mission and vision.

● Advice to Young Leaders. Deliberately think about your career and have goals in mind. That being said, don't be so stuck on those goals that you don't take opportunities that come your way.

This episode is hosted by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Think Medium.

Relevant Links: 

○ Read more about Alexis Stiles 

○ Read “Spotlight on Innovation at the 2022 Health Evolution Summit” By Alexis Stiles

Meet Our Guest: 

Diane Holder is Executive Vice President, UPMC; President, UPMC Insurance Services Division; and President and Chief Executive Officer, UPMC Health Plan. UPMC is one of the nation’s leading integrated delivery systems and through its health plans and affiliates provides health care coverage and benefits management for more than 4 million men, women, and children in Pennsylvania.

Key Insights: 

Diane Holder shares her journey from journalism to healthcare and how she has navigated being a woman in leadership.

● How Can I Help? Diane has been recognized for her community leadership, advocacy for women and children, and support for those suffering from mental health and addiction problems. She credits having strong mentors, good teachers, and perseverance to her successful career.

● A Career Risk Worth Taking. When UPMC was starting an insurance company, Diane volunteered to be in charge of the newly formed Insurance Division. Her leadership has helped grow UPMC Insurance Division into one of the largest and most respected insurance companies in the nation.

● Find the “Why” in Your Career. It is always a good time to assess the “why” in your career. There can be some duties in a job you won’t love, but if you don’t love most of them, Diane suggests moving on so you can bring your best to the table.

This episode is hosted by Ceci Connolly. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and President and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.

Relevant Links: 

Read more about Diane Holder

UPMC Insurance Services Division

Meet Sara Sawyer: 

Sara Sawyer, Ph.D. has received national and international prizes in virology. In 2022, she was awarded a Pioneer award from the National Institutes of Health, and in 2011 she was the recipient of the PECASE award from President Barack Obama at the White House. Dr. Sawyer serves as a Senior Editor at eLIFE, and as a consultant to the U.S. government on the topic of pandemic preparedness. In 2020, she co-founded Darwin Biosciences, a diagnostics company located in Boulder, CO.

Key Insights: 

Dr. Sawyer combines methods from bioinformatics, genomics, and evolutionary theory to investigate emerging human and animal viruses.

● Growing Up During a Pandemic. Dr. Sawyer was 10 years old when the HIV/AIDS pandemic started to be described. Those images influenced the rest of her life and career trajectory.

● From the Oil Industry to Darwin Biosciences. Her first career was working on offshore oil drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Once she got involved in HIV/AIDS research, she Co-Founded Darwin Biosciences to work on infectious disease testing.

● Advice to Her Undergraduate Students. As a professor for BioFrontiers Institute, Dept. of MCDB University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Sawyer tells her students life is about the pursuit of a good problem and the problem solving that comes from it.

This episode is hosted by Julie Gerberding, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and is the Chief Executive Officer for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

Relevant Links: 

o Read more about Dr. Sara Sawyer

o Discover Darwin Biosciences

Meet Leslie Norwalk: 

Katie is the CEO of RockHealth.org, an organization that builds community and advances solutions for those who need it most to ensure that digital health works for all. Previously, Katie curated health content for the Aspen Ideas Festival and was Managing Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group, where she led global efforts to address poverty alleviation, human rights, and social justice. Katie has also worked nationally and around the world on initiatives including HIV/AIDS treatment strategies in Romania, private health services delivery in Myanmar, and the scale up of Kenya’s national emergency medical system.

Key Insights: 

Katie Drasser discusses what she has learned about leadership from her experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

The Power of the Collective. Katie believes that what we can do together translates to public health. We can understand a person, a community, a family, and a system better by understanding health.

Launching Rock Health. Katie is driven by her passion for helping people, and her ability to identify opportunities when they are most needed. Rock Health invests in the next generation digital health pioneers and advises major corporations on how to lead in this new world.

Knowing Where to Lead. Part of being a leader is knowing when to lead and when to lean on others. Katie thinks about who is going to have the most impact when, how, and where, and she supports others to do the same.

This episode is hosted by Sanjula Jain, Ph.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story, co-founder of Think Medium, and the SVP, Market Strategy and Chief Research Officer at Trilliant Health. 

Relevant Links: 

o Read more about Katie Drasser and Rock Health

o Follow Katie Drasser on Twitter

Meet Leslie Norwalk:

Leslie Norwalk serves as Strategic Counsel for Epstein Becker & Green. She sits on the boards of directors of Arvinas, ModivCare, Neurocrine Biosciences, NuVasive, and several privately held health care corporations. Leslie is also a member of APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council. Previously, Leslie served the Bush Administration as the Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She received a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from Wellesley College and a J.D. from George Mason University. 

 

Key Insights:

Leslie Norwalk provides career insights, as well as a perspective on the implementation of Medicare Part D. 

 

Testifying for CMS. Leslie had to testify before Congress on multiple occasions. She recommends answering questions as straightforward, truthfully, and informationally as possible. Remember that your audience is broader than the person asking the question.

Ignore the Bias. As a rule, Leslie tries to ignore the fact that there is gender bias. However, she still knows it exists, and always tries to be the most prepared person in the room.

Sponsorship. Leslie thinks sponsorship may be as important if not more important than mentorship. To get on her first board of directors, someone sponsored Leslie and introduced her to the right people.

 

This episode is hosted by Julie Gerberding, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and is the Chief Executive Officer for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

 

Relevant Links:

Read more about Leslie Norwalk

Read “Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized by 2023 Best Lawyers for Excellence in the Legal Profession”

 

Meet Lisa Simpson:

Lisa Simpson, M.B., B.Ch. President and Chief Executive Officer of AcademyHealth. Before joining AcademyHealth, Dr. Simpson was a professor of pediatrics, first as an Endowed Chair in Child Health Policy at the University of South Florida and then as the Director of the Child Policy Research Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Simpson received her undergraduate and medical degrees at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and an MPH at the University of Hawaii.
 

Key Insights:

Lisa Simpson, M.B., B.Ch. explores the combination of serendipity and hard work that defined her career.

 

Know Your Audience. Dr. Simpson had to learn the power of her words as a leader. It’s important to signal to staff whether an idea is just brainstorming or a directive. 

The Value of Mentors. Don’t rely on just one mentor. Different mentors can provide unique perspective and advice for different aspects of your career. Additionally, mentors can help you build your network and open doors to more opportunities. 

Maintaining Network. Essential to Dr. Simpson’s career was not just building her network, but also maintaining her network of mentors and peers. Friendships must be nurtured over time. Don’t forget to reach out to your connections! 

 

This episode is hosted by Ceci Connolly. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and President and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.
 

Relevant Links:

Learn more about Lisa Simpson, B.M., B.Ch

Read “October 2022 Advocacy Update from Lisa Simpson”

Meet the Guests:

Stephanie Hartselle, M.D. is a pediatric and adult Psychiatrist and CEO of Hartselle & Associates. Alison Darcy, Ph.D. is the President and Founder of Woebot Health. Solomé Tibebu is a Senior Fellow for Digital Transformation at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, a Venture Partner at GreyMater, and Founder and Host of Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech.

 

Key Insights:

This episode dives into the current state of mental healthcare in terms of perceptions, practice, and patient choice.

 

• Perceptions in Media. Dr. Hartselle is a consultant for big name movie producers, including Harley Quinn’s “Birds of Prey”. She notes a growing interest in Hollywood to represent mental health illnesses more accurately.
• Treatment Challenges. There is high demand for mental healthcare services. However, Dr. Darcy points out that care practices are archaic and challenging to scale to meet that demand. 
• Investing in Care. Solomé shares that there is more funding, attention, and interest than ever in mental healthcare. Now is the time to make change.

 

This episode is part one of a special two-part series on mental health. Check out part two on Day Zero!

 

Relevant Links:

• Check out Dr. Hartselle’s full interview
• Check out Dr. Darcy’s full interview
• Check out Solomé Tibebu’s full interview

Meet Our Guest: 

Hafeezah Muhammad was born in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands. She is the founder of Yoüme Healthcare, a telehealth company focused on expanding access to youth mental health services across Middle America. Mental illness and behavioral disorders are approaching crisis levels with an estimated 12 million young Americans missing out on treatment each year because only 24% of clinicians accept insurance. Yoüme is one of the first pediatric telehealth companies to be accredited to all major insurance providers including Medicaid.

 

Key Insights: 

Hafeezah Muhammad is focused on expanding healthcare options for children, adolescents, and their families in response to the mental health crisis in the United States.
 

● Quality Care. Yoüme Healthcare delivers high-quality care with a strong emphasis on therapy and medication management. It is important to encourage support by breaking the stigma around mental health and be open about struggles.

● The Balance of Family. Hafeezah emphasizes the importance of breaking barriers and paving the way for others, despite facing challenges as a non-clinical executive in the mental health industry.

● Investing in Others. She highlights the need for providers who can meet the diverse needs of patients and wishes for greater collaboration and partnership among emerging companies and policymakers to make a broader impact in mental health care.

 

This episode is hosted by Kristi Ebong, head of partnerships and market development at Define Ventures

Relevant Links: 

Connect with Hafeezah on LinkedIn

Check out the Yoüme website