Empowering Women in Healthcare
In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to take a moment to officially recognize the invaluable contributions of women to the healthcare industry. Women have played a crucial role in shaping the field of medicine, from pioneering groundbreaking medical advancements to advocating for gender equity in healthcare. Today, women make up 67% of the global health and social care workforce and provide essential health services for around 5 billion people worldwide. Let’s take a look at some of healthcare’s pioneers and innovators. The pioneers Elizabeth Blackwell, MD: In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. She co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children to serve the poor, paving the way for future generations of women in medicine. Mary Edwards Walker, MD: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker became the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, despite facing discrimination and challenges due to her gender. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first black American woman to earn a medical degree in 1864. She cared for freed slaves and published a medical book to share her knowledge. Sister Mary Bernard: In 1877, Sister Mary Bernard became the first officially recognized nurse anesthetist, breaking barriers in the field of anesthesia. The innovators Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton dedicated her life to providing medical care and relief during times of disaster. Gerty Theresa Cori, PhD: Dr. Gerty Theresa Cori became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1947 for her discoveries in glucose metabolism. Virginia Apgar, MD: Dr. Virginia Apgar created the Apgar score for assessing newborns’ health, revolutionizing neonatal care. Loretta Ford, EdD, PNP: Co-founder of the first nurse practitioner program, Dr. Loretta Ford expanded the role of public health nurses to focus on illness prevention and health promotion. Patricia Bath, MD: Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment, making cataract surgery more precise and less painful. Antonia Novello, MD: Dr. Antonia Novello became the first woman and the first Hispanic to serve as U.S. surgeon general, focusing on public health issues such as AIDS research and domestic violence. Nancy W. Dickey, MD: Dr. Nancy W. Dickey became the first female president of the American Medical Association, advocating for women’s health issues and healthcare reform. The challenges But despite significant contributions, women in healthcare often encounter various challenges that hinder their professional growth and advancement. Those challenges include: Discrimination Women in healthcare often face discrimination based on their gender. Think: being passed over for promotions, receiving lower salaries compared to their male counterparts, and encountering biased treatment in the workplace. Occupational segregation Women in healthcare are frequently clustered into lower-status and low-paid roles, such as nursing and administrative positions, while men are more likely to occupy higher-paying and leadership roles. This occupational segregation contributes to the gender pay gap and limits women’s opportunities for career advancement. Unequal pay Even though women make up a significant portion of the healthcare workforce, they continue to earn less than men (regardless of roles). This disparity in pay not only affects women’s financial well-being but also perpetuates gender inequality in the workplace. Supporting Strategies To address these challenges and empower women in healthcare, we must all make the conscious decision to implement strategies that promote gender equity and create a more inclusive work environment. Promoting leadership development Providing women with opportunities for leadership development can help them advance in their careers and break through the glass ceiling. Leadership programs tailored to women’s needs can equip them with the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations. Mentorship opportunities Mentorship programs can be instrumental in supporting women’s professional growth and development. Pairing women with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, advice, and support can help them navigate the challenges they face in their careers. Networking initiatives Creating networking opportunities for women in healthcare can help them build valuable connections, expand their professional networks, and access new career opportunities. Leveraging technology Technology can be a powerful tool for women in healthcare to manage their careers more effectively, especially for those balancing work and family responsibilities. Tools such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and online learning courses for continuing education can help women stay connected, access resources, and advance their skills. Women in healthcare – the wrap up Empowering women in healthcare is not just about recognizing their achievements but also about addressing the challenges they face and advocating for gender equity in the workforce. At Propelus, our mission is to ensure healthcare professionals reach their full potential, which includes giving them the best tools to achieve professional compliance. Women have made immense contributions to the field of medicine, from pioneering groundbreaking advancements to advocating for better healthcare practices. Together, we cam help all women advance their healthcare careers. This Women’s History Month (and every month), let’s celebrate the accomplishments of women in healthcare and continue working toward a future where gender equity is the norm. Here’s to creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare workforce for all.
Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff of Propelus, Wins Silver Stevie® Award for Maverick of the Year
Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus, has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Silver Stevie® Award for Maverick of the Year in the 20th annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. This accolade is a testament to her exceptional contributions to Propleus. The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run– worldwide. The Stevie Award has been hailed as the world’s premier business award. Maverick of the Year, a Stevie® Awards for Women in Business category, celebrates female professionals who have instigated positive change within their companies and industries. Dunbar’s strategic foresight in acquiring and implementing Immuware and her dedication to upholding and evolving the company’s culture and values exemplify her role as a transformative leader and a beacon of positive organizational change. “I am deeply honored to receive the Silver Stevie Award for Maverick of the Year. This recognition is not just a reflection of my own efforts but a testament to the incredible team at Propelus and their unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our organization’s success and proud to be part of a community that celebrates and empowers women leaders. Thank you to the Stevie Awards for this tremendous honor.” – Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus “As CEO of Propelus, I couldn’t be more proud of Jessica Dunbar’s remarkable achievement in winning the Silver Stevie Award for Maverick of the Year. Jessica’s leadership as Chief of Staff has been instrumental in driving Propelus’s success and shaping our organizational culture. Her innovative thinking, thoughtful urgency, and dedication have propelled us to new heights, and this recognition reaffirms her outstanding contributions to our company. Jessica embodies the values of excellence and perseverance that define Propelus, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team. Congratulations, Jessica, on this well-deserved honor. Your achievement fills us with pride and inspires us all to continue striving for greatness.” – Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on six juries. Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie® Awards, said, “In its 20th year, the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business received an outstanding body of nominations from women in organizations of all types in 26 nations. We are gratified by how meaningful it is to women to win a Stevie® Award and how impactful it can be on the futures of their careers and their organizations. We congratulate all of this year’s Grand, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie® Award winners for their achievements.” Details about the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women. Entries for the 2024 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business will open in May. About Propelus Propelus is modernizing how professionals, their employers, regulators, and associations work better together. For over twenty years, Propelus has propelled millions of dedicated professionals on successful career journeys. Our market-leading, dynamic workforce compliance management technology, full-lifecycle continuing education management software, and unparalleled access and automation of vital primary source verified data simplify total professional management for a happier workforce, better operations, and safer communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by over 5 million professionals: https://propelus.com/. About the Stevie® Awards Stevie® Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie® Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
Propelus Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer with Extensive Healthcare Industry Expertise
Propelus, a leading dynamic workforce management company in the healthcare, government, and education sectors, is delighted to announce Samantha Young as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Young brings a wealth of deep financial and industry experience to the role, making her appointment a significant milestone for the company. With over 15 years of relevant industry experience and a strategic financial leadership track record within healthcare organizations, Young is strongly positioned to steer Propelus’s financial strategies in this dynamic sector. Before joining Propelus, she held instrumental executive-level and financial positions at respected healthcare technology organizations. “Samantha possesses strong financial expertise, aligns well with our company culture, and has a keen understanding of the critical intricacies involved in healthcare workforce compliance,” said Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus. “She will be invaluable in driving financial strategies and navigating the unique complexities that ensure Propelus is the most trusted dynamic workforce management solution to power our nation’s critical compliance programs and safeguard our communities.” “I am thrilled to join Propelus at this inflection point in the company’s trajectory,” said Young. “Propelus has garnered the trust of state regulators, professionals, and employers due to its deliberate focus on innovation, security, and user experience. Its impressive ecosystem provides immediate value, ensuring the safe and compliant onboarding and continued management of professionals. I look forward to collaborating and partnering with the entire team to accelerate growth.” Young holds a Master’s in Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, and a CPA. She is dedicated to applying her extensive healthcare industry experience to Propelus’ vision and mission and to promote workforce GRC excellence. About Propelus Propelus, a workforce management technology leader, is modernizing how dedicated professionals, their employers, regulators, and partners work better together. For over 20 years, Propelus’ solutions — CE Broker, EverCheck, and Immuware — have propelled the careers of millions through its Dynamic Professional Management platform, which provides workforce and talent management solutions. Our innovative technology ensures a safer workforce, streamlines operations, and helps connect the complex workforce ecosystem, powering access to vital data, services, and support with unparalleled strategic partnerships to power our nation’s critical compliance programs and safeguard our communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by over 5 million professionals: https://propelus.com/.