Organization Focuses on Advancement of Women’s Careers in Healthcare Field

While Raleigh-area headlines have been dominated this summer by Hurricanes and hurricanes, professional hockey and uncharacteristic weather are not the only storms brewing in the Triangle. In the eye of the nation’s largest employment industry, the Triangle is the center of a hubbub of healthcare activity, as the area plays host to, among others, giants GlaxoSmithKline and Misys, as well as up-and-comers like Alphavax and Affinergy. With the U.S. Department of Labor predicting a 27 percent increase in the number of jobs in healthcare over the next eight years and Forbes naming the Raleigh-Durham metro the second-best place to start and run a business, a group of industry minorities are looking for early capitalization on the promising trend.

Founded in March 2005 by a handful of RTP-based leading women in their respective fields, along with EMD Pharmaceuticals President Nancy Wysenski, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s Research Triangle Park affiliate (HBA-RTP) has increased its membership to over 150 industry professionals in an effort to establish a strong and viable network for women in healthcare.

The healthcare industry has been criticized over the last few years, as the number of women in management positions in the field has not corresponded with the increase of female college graduates with healthcare-related degrees. The RTP affiliate strives to fight the disproportion by maintaining the vision of the parent non-profit: firmly committed to helping women in healthcare advance their careers.

In just 15 months since receiving affiliate status, HBA-RTP has entertained high-ranking professionals including North Carolina Biotechnology Center President and CEO Leslie Alexander, Jill Quist, founder of consulting firm Quist Solutions LLC and GlaxoSmithKline Vice President Lu McLeod. Eileen Woods, managing partner for Agentive Sales and Management Training, led a program for members titled “Leveraging Your Strengths” last fall. All guest speakers have provided members with inspiring and informative accounts of their rise to the top of their field, as well as practical tips and techniques for ensuring career success.

While members said they enjoy success stories, many find the networking opportunities to have the most direct effect on their careers.

Meda Newell, segment executive, Healthcare and Life Sciences, IBM Americas, said she had been looking for an organized method of interacting with her peers before joining HBA-RTP.

“I have been looking for a venue to expand my network in healthcare and life sciences,” Newell said. “HBA has proven to be a great organization to do just that and more.”

For others, like Kathleen Schindler of health services provider Constella Group, participation in HBA-RTP is just a part of occupational natural progression.

“I'd been actively expanding my network in the RTP area, and after just one meeting I was convinced that HBA was a must-join organization,” Schindler said. “I've been very impressed with the caliber of the membership and the programs.”

Wysenski said she was pleased with the chapter’s development in its first year, but hopes that more women will take advantage of the membership.

“As a Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association member prior to relocating to North Carolina, I have seen firsthand the power of the organization’s networking and workshop opportunities,” Wysenski said. “It has been exciting to see our numbers grow and I look forward to membership continuing to increase as we help foster women’s presence at the top of the Triangle healthcare industry.”

For non-profits like the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, success is dependent on the satisfaction of its constituents; if members like Carol Straight, a network development specialist for UNC Healthcare System, have anything to say about it, the RTP affiliate will continue to see desired increases in participation.

“Everyone that I have met has been very open and willing to share workplace experiences,” Straight said. “In addition, the skills-building presentations have been extremely valuable and enjoyable. I have recommended membership to a number of my colleagues.”