Women in Healthtech Leadership Lecture Series
The celebration of International Women’s Day March 8th marked a time to reflect on the barriers and achievements of the past and present, while directing our attention to future opportunities for diversity in STEM – including the launch of a new lecture series highlighting women leaders whose stories are sure to provide inspiration.
Throughout our nation’s history, women have encountered sexism, discrimination and oppression in their personal lives and in the workplace. Tech industries have been particularly unwelcoming. In fact, women account for just 27% of workers in STEM industries, two out of three U.S. women say they were not encouraged to pursue a career in STEM, and only 12.8% of inventors receiving patents in the U.S. are women.
Women hold most of the entry-level positions in the pharmaceutical and medical products job category, and in health care systems and services, representing 56% and 74% of those industries, respectively. But the percentages steadily decline on the rungs of the corporate ladder, with only 28% and 34% of C-suite positions filled by women.
Dr. Jennifer McCaney and Desert Horse-Grant, co-executive directors of UCLA Biodesign, are pleased to announce the Women in Healthtech Leadership Lecture Series, which will provide insights from some of the most successful women in the healthtech industry. The series launches with two trailblazers leading the transformation of the medical device and digital health fields – Katie Szyman, Corporate Vice President, Critical Care at Edwards Lifesciences and Julia Hu, Founder and CEO of Lark Health. Below, you will find more information about these two speakers and how you can participate in the series.
With our partners, we will help to be the change we seek – an equal and equitable world for all. Please do not hesitate to reach us at biodesign@mednet.ucla.edu with thoughts, referrals for additional speakers, and questions.
Fireside chat with Founder & CEO of Lark Health, Julia Hu. Since its founding, Lark Health has helped nearly 2 million patients overcome their health challenges through what they have pioneered as Compassionate Artificial Intelligence. The company has raised over $100M in equity and debt financing, has received numerous awards, including being named by Fierce Healthcare as one of 2020’s “Fierce 15” changing the world by changing the healthcare industry, and serves 4 of the 7 largest health plans in the nation, as well as PBMs, providers, and self-insured employers to help their members live healthier lives. Julia was named to Business Insider’s 30 Under 40 Changing Healthcare list and number one in “Top 10 Women in Tech to Watch” and “30 Under 30” by Inc. Magazine, as well as “17 Female Healthcare CEOs to Know”, Becker’s Hospital Review. To register for our Fireside chat with Julia Hu, please visit: https://uclahs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tKs6ThCGQtu9gYcHwi3I6g
Fireside chat with Corporate Vice President of Edwards Lifesciences, Katie Szyman. Katie Szyman has been corporate vice president since 2015 and is currently responsible for the company’s global critical care and vascular business. Prior to joining Edwards, Szyman held a variety of roles with increasing levels of responsibility for more than 20 years at Medtronic. She served as president of Medtronic’s global diabetes business for five years, overseeing research, development, operations, and sales and marketing. She also served as senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development, VP and general manager of endovascular, and VP of finance for the vascular business. Szyman currently serves on the boards of Inari Medical Inc. and the American Heart Association of Orange County. She previously served on the boards of Tornier, Inspire Medical Systems, OCTane and the California Healthcare Institute (CHI). She graduated from the University of St. Thomas and earned her master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. To register for our Fireside chat with Katie Szyman, please visit: https://uclahs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-sJv5jSESreBmESb61emaA