The healthcare field is one of the most challenging and rewarding professions, but for women in healthcare, the journey is often marked by unique challenges that stem from balancing professional excellence with personal demands, societal expectations, and systemic barriers.
In a world where attending in-person events often requires juggling time away from work and home, virtual conferences offer an easier and more flexible way to gain valuable insights and engage with like-minded professionals.
With this in mind, I set out to curate a program that addresses the multifaceted experiences of women in healthcare leadership. The result is an event that combines expert-led discussions, actionable advice, and a supportive community, all from the comfort of participants’ own homes.
Some of the best healthcare voices are hiding in plain sight. Our speaker directory helps you find them, follow them, and invite them into the conversations that need them.
Women in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities
Women make up nearly 70% of the healthcare workforce, yet they hold only 25% of healthcare leadership roles (according to the International Hospital Federation). This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for targeted support and resources to help women advance into leadership positions. The Leadership for Women in Healthcare Virtual Conference was designed to bridge this gap by providing women physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals with tools, strategies, and a supportive network to succeed in leadership roles.
Balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments is a significant challenge for women in healthcare. A national survey found that 62% of respondents prioritize work–life balance in career decision-making, with women reporting a disproportionate share of household responsibilities compared to their partners (41.4% vs. 8.4%).
When I brought up this stat to a group of women physicians, I got a variety of responses that showcased just how differently each of us views leadership as a woman. For example, Kristin Yates Coleman chimed in that, “like so many other things in medicine, we got used to one way a leader “should” act, look and work.”
“It’s scary to take on a leadership role while also upholding personal boundaries” she continued. “I’ve only been in a medical directorship role for 6 months and I’ve found that the biggest challenge is my own perfectionist tendencies and wanting to be everything to everyone.”
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2nd Annual Non-Clinical Careers Course
Public Speaking, Communication, and Online Presenting (Ongoing)
The Future of Physician Health: Leadership, Mental Health, and Career Advancement
Autonomy & Advocacy: A Medico-Legal Course for Clinicians
3rd Annual Private Practice Course
From Idea to Published: A Free Writing Course for Physicians
The Modern Allergy Course
2nd Annual Finances, Investing & Real Estate for Healthcare Professionals
Another issue we, as women, contend with: time.
“One of the most common things I hear from most women physicians is they don’t have time,” said Tina Philip, DO, a solo private practice family medicine in Round Rock, TX, who does a lot of leadership at county and state level. “So in these years where most men are building their leadership experience, women are focusing on their families or other priorities.
Once they finally have the time, a lot of years have gone by and their peers have advanced. Not to say there is a right or wrong here, but just seems to be the common theme. My advice for someone wanting to progress in leadership would be to pick one thing, even if small, to get involved in.” Dr. Philip is currently finishing out her year as president of Travis County Medical Society in Austin, TX.
Virtual conferences can alleviate some of these challenges by reducing costs and travel times, making it easier for those with caregiving duties to participate.
By eliminating the need for travel, virtual platforms enable women to engage in professional development without sacrificing time or energy, thereby supporting a more balanced integration of work and personal life (check out this article for reference, though this is pretty straightforward and logical, too).
Women make up nearly 70% of the healthcare workforce, yet they hold only 25% of healthcare leadership roles
I strived to put together a diverse lineup of speakers and topics, when I first announced the creation of this event.
To provide attendees with the most enriching experience possible, I sought out an eclectic group of both speakers and topics. Each is an expert in their field, and uniquely qualified to address the issues faced by women in healthcare.
The following are just some of the compelling topics and speakers featured in the conference.
Before I show you who’s who in our lineup, though, I want you to take a peek at this incredible reel, made of famous figures from history – some good, some bad. May it serve to inspire the next generation of changemakers (maybe even women leaders we help inspire at our upcoming events).
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Here’s who’s coming:
1. Overview of Women’s Health Conditions Through Their Careers as Physicians
Speaker: Alopi Patel, MD
Dr. Patel delivers a comprehensive overview of how women’s health conditions evolve alongside their demanding careers as physicians. This session offers a dual perspective, helping participants better care for themselves while enhancing their ability to support female patients.
2. Financial Empowerment and Retirement Planning for Physicians
(VIP lecture, which means it’s delivered ahead of time, to our Network-level members, and then placed in the VIP course space, accessible for VIP-ticket holders)
Speaker: Manpreet Samra, MD, MBA
Dr. Samra will outline how to invest NOW such that you can reap the benefits on the other end in a tax efficient manner. It allows for financial empowerment!
3. The Art of Presentation (a VIP lecture)
Speaker: Eleny Romanos-Sirakis, MD, MS, FAAP
Dr. Romanos-Sirakis shares the secrets to delivering impactful presentations that inspire, educate, and leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a conference talk or a team meeting, mastering the art of presentation is a crucial skill for any leader.
4. Maintaining Balance as a Woman Leader: Learn to Set Healthy Boundaries and Say No Without Guilt
Speaker: Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH, PCC
This session focuses on the often-overlooked skill of boundary setting. Dr. Shannon offers practical advice on how to protect your time and energy while embracing leadership roles.
5. The Ultimate Work-Life Balance: Navigating Fertility and Infertility as a Female Physician
Speaker: Rashmi Kudesia, MD, MSc, FACOG, DipABLM
Dr. Kudesia shares her expertise on a deeply personal topic—managing fertility and infertility while pursuing a demanding medical career.
6. Perfectionism as a Superskill
Speaker: Priyanka Venugopal, DO
This session reframes perfectionism not as a burden, but as a skill that, when harnessed correctly, can drive success.
7. Mastering Delegation: Empowering Female Physician Leaders for Success
Speaker: Santina Wheat, MD, MPH
Dr. Wheat highlights the transformative power of delegation and how it can be a game-changer for women leaders.
8. From Hangry to Happy: A Physician’s Guide to Meal Planning and Self-Care
Speaker: Kara Wada, MD
Dr. Wada emphasizes the importance of nutrition and self-care as foundational elements for sustained leadership and happiness.
9. Unique Challenges for Women in Healthcare Leadership
Speaker: Sonal Jagasia, MD, MPH
This talk addresses systemic and cultural hurdles that women in healthcare face and offers strategies for overcoming them.
10. Using Your Physician Expertise to Earn More and Work Less
Speaker: Naomi Lawrence-Reid, MD
Dr. Lawrence-Reid explores innovative ways for physicians to leverage their expertise to create income streams while maintaining work-life balance.
I’m hoping you’ll join us at this live, online event, which I designed specifically for connection, because the Leadership for Women in Healthcare Virtual Conference is more than just a series of lectures—it’s a space where women in healthcare can get to know others just like them, who may be struggling with the same issues, where they can share experiences, and gain tools to thrive. By bringing together such a rich array of speakers and topics, I hope to provide attendees with inspiration, actionable advice, and the support they need to excel in both their personal and professional lives.
Creating this event has been a labor of love, driven by the belief that empowering women leaders in healthcare is not only necessary but transformative. Whether you’re looking to enhance your career, find balance, or simply feel seen and heard, this conference is here for you.
