By April Lebo

Over my 11-plus years in healthcare technology management, I have encountered many remarkable and accomplished individuals. However, during that time, it was hard not to notice one striking observation: the predominance of men in our field. Outside of a handful of women, it’s undeniable that our industry is very male-dominated. This is especially evident as you look higher up the ranks in companies, where women are notably scarce in leadership positions.

Encouraging Women to Pursue HTM Careers

There is an adage that says, “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” For women considering a career in HTM, the lack of visible female role models can be a significant deterrent. What would the draw be if they can’t see other women making a career for themselves or if there isn’t a strong female leader to look up to? How do we encourage more women to become engineers, aspire to manage a biomedical department, or even run a service company if there aren’t role models paving the way?

This realization was the driving force behind the creation of the Women in Leadership Society, or WIL. After engaging with a group of inspiring ladies to discuss my vision and brainstorm how we could move forward together, WIL was born and has been gaining momentum ever since. Our mission is to create a global network of women from all sectors of the industry who are committed to inspiring, encouraging, and motivating each other to become the best versions of ourselves and role models for others in the industry. We hope that by demonstrating that women can thrive in HTM, we will encourage more women to pursue this field as a lifelong career.”

Inside WIL

WIL operates as a private LinkedIn group where we create a supportive and open environment for women in HTM. We feature a weekly blog post called ‘WAR (Women Are Remarkable) Story Wednesday,’ where we spotlight individual journeys within the industry. Hearing how someone overcame adversity, triumphed in their achievements, knocked through roadblocks, or even just made the decision to make a change can serve as a roadmap of inspiration or guidance for someone else.

Mentorship is a core component of WIL’s mission. We actively encourage members to seek out mentors or become involved in mentoring others within the group. By creating a network of diverse and talented women from all aspects of the industry, we hope to provide various pathways to success.

WIL has grown steadily since its inception last year. Currently the LinkedIn group now boasts over 230 members, and we continue to see new states added to our map almost daily, reflecting the ever-growing reach of the network. The outpouring of support from both men and women has been overwhelming and is a key factor in the rapid growth we have seen.

Growing Female Leadership in HTM

The board and I have been invited to participate in numerous podcasts, and AAMI has been steadfast in their support by hosting a networking event at their conference, where more than 50 members were able to gather, as well as providing us with a platform to amplify our mission through the virtual studio. As we continue to grow, we look forward to adding more opportunities for women to come together, spotlighting our members, and committing to the vision of uplifting one another to make us all stronger.”

As the industry evolves, we are witnessing a tangible shift, evident when you attend the shows and read posts on social media. More women are entering HTM, and you are beginning to see more females assuming leadership roles in our industry. Women are speaking up, having their voices heard, and, more importantly, companies are listening. Female attendance is rising within various biomed and imaging training programs, and women are now sitting at the table during executive-level meetings.

If we want to make a difference for future generations of HTM professionals, we need to be it now, so they can see it tomorrow. WIL is dedicated to making this vision a reality and proving that it can be done!

April Lebo is vice president of demand generation at Probo Medical. Questions and comments can be directed to [email protected].