The Sloan Women in Healthcare Leadership hosted their third annual symposium on March 22 and 23 beginning with a keynote address by Dr. Indu Subaiya ‘95, president and co-founder of Catalyst @ Health 2.0 and senior advisor for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

The symposium, in partnership with the Sloan Program and student organization Women in Healthcare Leadership (WIHL), is dedicated to advancing the influence of women in health care leadership through education, networking and community engagement. This year’s theme was “Technology and the Future of Healthcare.”

“Dr. Subaiya emphasized that care delivery models are changing, with technology as the new foundation,” said Nicole Levine ‘18 MHA ’19, co-chair for the symposium. “In order for technologies to serve the needs of the population, their leadership teams need to be as diverse as their patients.”

Each year, the symposium brings together graduate and undergraduate students from across Cornell and Human Ecology – ranging from backgrounds in health administration to engineering to medicine – to inspire dialogue around subjects pertinent to women at the cutting-edge of health care. The goal is for every attendee to be empowered through thoughtful discussions and interactive sessions, which will create a stronger network of current and aspiring female health care leaders.

“We hoped to give participants two main opportunities: to hear accomplished women discuss their careers and health care industry trends and to engage in dialogue about issues pertinent to supporting women in leadership,” Levine said.

A diverse group of leaders spoke on panels. Specific topics included “Achieving Your Own Vision,” “Expanding Your Influence” and “Driving Disruption.”

“Distinguished speakers shared expertise on exciting, cutting-edge topics, from new insurance models to communication techniques to senior living,” Levine said. “Speakers were encouraging and accessible to attendees eager to begin careers in these areas.”

WIHL is an independent, self-governing student organization focused on supporting women graduate students build careers in the health care industry. The organization facilitates networking opportunities with prospective employers, professional development programs, community service involvement and formal and informal social activities to unite graduate students interested in elevating the role of women in health care leadership across programs and campuses.

“It is important to us that leadership opportunities are perceived as inclusive and diverse, and that students entering the workforce are empowered with tools to succeed,” Levine said. “It was rewarding to see students and experienced professionals learn from one another through meaningful conversations about overcoming challenges related to health care, gender, and leadership.”