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Modern Healthcare’s Leading Women 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 encourage nominations for the annual program from all industry sectors, including — but not limited to — hospitals, health systems, providers, insurers, associations, law firms, consultancies, government agencies, investment firms, digital health and medtech companies, other vendors, supplier organizations, startups and patients’ rights groups.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Oct. 6, 2025 - Nominations open
Jan. 7, 2026 - Nominations close
March 9, 2026 - Honorees published online and in MH magazine
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, law firms, consultancies, government agencies, investment firms, digital health and medtech companies, other vendors, supplier organizations, 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 2026 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, law firms, consultancies, government agencies, investment firms, digital health and medtech companies, other vendors, supplier organizations, startups 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 and newsroom 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. Nominations without resumes or CVs will not be considered.
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 newsroom 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 to learn more.
Contact
If you have questions about the program, including the nomination, selection process, criteria or deadlines, please contact mhawards@modernhealthcare.com.
Modern Healthcare’s newsroom will select the honorees based on the judging criteria.
Yes, you may nominate multiple individuals from your organization. Each nomination requires a separate submission process and a fee of $250. Please be aware that Modern Healthcare may use any of the provided information in published material about the honoree.
No.
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.
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).
The honorees will be notified in February. The notification will include an embargoed press release template and information regarding licensing, congratulatory ads, awards and certificates.
No, we will not notify those who are not selected as honorees.