Leading Women Awards

2025 Nominations Open

Modern Healthcare’s Leading Women awards program, formerly known as the Women Leaders in Healthcare Awards, honors influential women from all sectors of the healthcare industry. Honorees — both Leading Women and Rising Stars — are developing policy, leading change and guiding improvements in care delivery. The program recognizes the accomplishments of women in a variety of roles.

We accept nominations for the annual program from all industry sectors, including — but not limited to — hospitals, health systems, providers, insurers, associations, government agencies, investment firms, vendors, supplier organizations, digital health startups and patients’ rights groups.

 

Key Dates & Deadlines
October 7, 2024 - Nominations open
January 3, 2025 - Nominations close
March 10, 2025 - Honorees published online and in MH magazine
TBD - Leading Women in Healthcare Awards Conference and Luncheon

Eligibility
Nominations for Leading Women:
Modern Healthcare will consider candidates based on the following criteria:

1. Nominee has made a measurable impact at their company and/or in the healthcare industry in the past 12 months.

2. Nominee must manage a team or otherwise have a leadership role.

3. Nominee must work in healthcare, including at hospitals, health systems, providers, insurers, associations, government agencies, investment firms, vendors, supplier organizations, digital health startups and patients’ rights groups.

Note: Anyone previously honored in Modern Healthcare's Women Leaders in Healthcare Program, except as a “Woman to Watch” or “Rising Star,” is ineligible for 2025 and beyond.

Nominations for Rising Stars
Modern Healthcare will consider candidates based on the following criteria:

1. Nominee has made a measurable impact at their company and/or in the healthcare industry in the past 12 months.

2. Nominee must have held their current role for no longer than three years.

3. Nominee must work in healthcare, including at hospitals, health systems, providers, insurers, associations, government agencies, investment firms, vendors, digital health startups, supplier organizations and patients’ rights groups.

Vanguard:

Modern Healthcare’s Leading Women Vanguard Award honors a woman in healthcare for her overall career achievements. The honoree is chosen by the editors of Modern Healthcare based on factors that include her role in inspiring and mentoring others in the industry and how the impact of her work has blazed trails for other women. There is no nomination process for this award.

Required Materials/Documentation
A current resume and headshot are required for submission.

How much does it cost to nominate?
To submit a name for consideration, there is a nomination fee of $250, which must be paid upon submission. Honorees will be selected by the editors of Modern Healthcare, and nomination does not guarantee selection. Multiple nominations for one individual do not influence the process in any way.

Sponsorship
Interested in advertising in the honorees' published issue? Please contact your Modern Healthcare Account Executive at 312.649.5311 to learn more.

Contact
If you have questions about the program, including the nomination, selection process, criteria or deadlines, please contact [email protected].

 

FAQs

What has changed for 2025?

The program has been renamed Leading Women. The honorees still include women with leadership roles as well as Rising Stars and a Vanguard.

Can individuals who have been honored in the past be nominated again?

To bring attention to a greater number and wider variety of outstanding women in healthcare, anyone who has previously been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Women Leaders or Women Leaders in Healthcare will be ineligible for nomination for 2025 and beyond. Individuals honored as Women to Watch or Rising Stars are eligible to be recognized as Leading Women.

Can more than one individual from the same organization make the list?

Yes. Each must be submitted as a separate nomination.

Can multiple nominations for the same individual influence the selection process?

No.

How do I nominate someone for the Women Leaders Vanguard award?

There is no nomination process for the Vanguard award. The honoree will be chosen by the editors of Modern Healthcare based on overall career achievements. Each year’s Vanguard honoree may or may not come from the current year’s pool of nominees, and may be someone who has previously been recognized in a different category, (e.g., Top 25 Women Leaders).

Who selects the honorees for this program?

Honorees are selected by the editors of Modern Healthcare. Nomination does not guarantee selection.

When will the honorees be notified?

The honorees will be notified the week of Feb. 10, 2025. This notification will include an embargoed press release template and information regarding licensing, congratulatory ads and awards and certificates.

Will I be notified if my nominee does not make the list?

No, we will not notify those who did not make the list.

Why is the title “Dr.” not listed for an honoree who has a doctoral degree?

Modern Healthcare lists the title "Dr." only for honorees who have completed either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.