By Julie Crichton, MD, and Claire Bowey, MD | Co-medical directors of the Women Physicians Leadership Council

This September, we celebrate Women in Medicine Month and honor the extraordinary contributions of women across healthcare—physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), nurses and scientists alike—whose leadership, innovation and dedication transform patient care every day.

Join us for the 2025 Trailblazer Awards Ceremony

We’re especially proud to recognize our 2025 Trailblazer Award nominees — 15 exceptional physicians who exemplify innovation, mentorship and courageous leadership:

• Kimberly Ariza, DO (family medicine)
• Amy Axberg, MD (emergency medicine)
• Rebecca Chester, MD (interventional cardiology)
• Alison Foster-Goldman, MD (emergency medicine)
• Ashley Grigsby, DO (emergency medicine)
• Cathleen Harris, MD (maternal and fetal medicine)
• Heather Harrison, MD (family medicine)
• Sadaf Jamil, DO (internal medicine)
• Alicia Mangram, MD (trauma surgery)
• Sandra Mele, DO (internal medicine)
• Sivakami (Brenda) Moorthy, DO (breast surgery)
• Srishti Nayak, MD (cardiology)
• Anne Rahman, MD (anesthesiology)
• Christina Reuss, MD (women’s cardiovascular disease, cardiology)
• Sirisha Vadali, MD (women’s cardiovascular disease, cardiology)

Event details

• When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20
• Where: Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute — 7242 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• RSVP: Please register by Monday, Oct. 13, at honorhealthfoundation.org/trailblazer.

The evening will feature an inspiring panel discussion moderated by Claire Bowey, MD, with distinguished panelists including:

• Kris Mayes, Arizona attorney general
• Cynthia Stonnington, MD, professor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic
• Guadalupe Federico-Martinez, Ph.D., executive coach and former assistant dean of faculty affairs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix

The ceremony will be presented by esteemed colleagues and last year’s Trailblazer winners: Deepa Shah, MD, Tabitha Moe, MD, and Seema Jain, MD.

Driving change and progress

While women now make up more than half of all U.S. medical students, only 30-35% of practicing physicians in the U.S. are women, and just 7-18% of leadership roles—including department chairs and chief medical officers—are held by women physicians. These statistics reflect persistent systemic barriers despite research showing women physicians deliver equal or better patient outcomes.

At HonorHealth, the Women Physicians Leadership Council (WPLC) supports over 800 women physicians in removing barriers, creating leadership opportunities and fostering professional growth through networking, professional development programs and advocacy initiatives. APPs, nurses and other women in medicine are warmly welcomed to attend WPLC events, contribute their expertise and engage with our community.

Looking forward: Building an equitable future

Women in Medicine Month is both a celebration and a call to action. We honor the achievements of all women in healthcare and recognize our responsibility to break down barriers and create opportunities for future generations. Through initiatives like the WPLC, we’re fostering an environment where every woman in medicine can thrive; one policy, one leadership opportunity and one meaningful conversation at a time.

Join us in celebrating the invaluable contributions of women in medicine and supporting a more equitable healthcare system for everyone.