Healthcare Businesswomen's Association

Website:http://www.hbanet.org

The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association is the premier catalyst for the leadership development of women in healthcare worldwide.

Mission

To further the advancement and impact of women in healthcare worldwide. The HBA accomplishes this by:

    * Providing educational opportunities to develop cutting-edge industry knowledge and leadership skills
    * Recognizing outstanding women in the industry
    * Providing opportunities for networking, creating greater visibility for individuals in the industry, and fostering mentoring relationships
    * Serving as a conduit for research on career advancement issues

Indeed, the HBA has become a powerful instrument for effecting change, from advancing careers to maximizing personal potential.
HBA Organization

HBA success is fueled by the collective and individual commitment of its volunteers. Ongoing support from corporate partners and individual members enables the HBA to provide an ever-expanding variety of programs and opportunities.

HBA 2008 Annual Report
HBA History

The HBA is in its 32nd year (1977- 2009) and now has more than 5,000 individual members and over 130 corporate partners, the organization can look back with pride on decades of service to women—and men—in the healthcare industry. The HBA was formed in 1977 by five professional women in the Northeast area of the United States:

    * Diane Anderson
    * Peg Dougherty
    * Millicent Gryczka
    * Sheila Sinkking
    * Ruth Smith

These founders recognized the need for women in healthcare to come together to exchange industry and career information and resources. They began informally, but meetings quickly grew in number and led to the establishment of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA).

Upon establishment of the HBA in 1979 as a non-profit, events were held in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. As members relocated and wanted the networking and skill-building programs offered only by the HBA, the association expanded to meet the needs of industry women across the country and around the world.

In 2000, the first HBA chapter was launched in Atlanta, followed by the San Francisco/Bay Area and Boston Chapters in 2001. In 2003, the Metro Chapter and three affiliates—Chicago, Indiana and Mid-Atlantic—were inaugurated as chapters. Today, there are also chapters or affiliates in Europe, Greater Philadelphia, Ohio, Research Triangle Park, San Antonio, Southern California and St. Louis.
Council of Chapter Presidents

In 2006, the HBA membership approved a new structure to enhance the ability of the chapters and affiliates to mentor each other, support growth and operations, and provide a platform for sharing best practices. The unique and intimate meetings of the Council of Chapter Presidents (CCP) also provide a forum for Presidents to offer input into the policy-making aspect of board operations. The CCP appoints a Chair who in turn serves on the global board to represent all Chapter Presidents in an ex officio position. With the increasing emergence of new chapters and affiliates, this new structure is dedicated to strengthening the continuing input of chapters and affiliates into global decisions while keeping the global board size at a manageable level.

Today, the HBA serves its members in a variety of roles and diverse areas, but remains true to its roots: firmly committed to helping women in healthcare advance their careers. Indeed, the HBA's tag line -"Required Experience for Healthy Careers" - clearly articulates the value the association continually delivers to its members.