The Women Physicians Leadership Council (WPLC) recognizes women physician leaders who drive innovation and clinical excellence across HonorHealth. This month, we’re checking in with two past Trailblazer honorees to see how their work continues to shape the future of care.

Tabitha Moe, MD, on closing the gap in women’s heart care

Since being honored as a Trailblazer Award recipient, Tabitha Moe, MD, has transitioned into the role of director of cardiovascular research for the HonorHealth Research Institute and associate program director for the cardiovascular fellowship.

“We’re building a legacy of cutting-edge cardiovascular research in structural heart disease, interventional cardiology, primary prevention and personalized medicine,” Dr. Moe said. “Our work aims to close the gap in women’s heart care. Research performed by women cardiologists recruits more women subjects, normalizes their participation in clinical trials and alters the paradigm of how we care for women’s hearts.”

Currently, the institute is recruiting women for several ongoing projects, specifically looking at how patients with a history of heart failure might benefit from using a GLP-1. “While it is difficult to read about anything in 2026 without seeing GLP-1s mentioned, this is an important opportunity to further research and determine the best path forward for women with heart failure,” Dr. Moe added.

How Shalini Singh-Karnik, MD, is reshaping primary care through Food as Medicine

Fellow past Trailblazer Shalini Singh-Karnik, MD, is tackling health from a different angle: what patients eat. In addition to practicing integrative medicine at HonorHealth, Dr. Singh-Karnik has become increasingly involved in graduate medical education, teaching family medicine, internal medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residents. She serves as program director of the Integrative Medicine Resident Elective and as director of Whole Health Group Medical Visits and Shared Medical Appointments at her practice.

The Food as Medicine movement is not new. It echoes ancient healing traditions such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, and Western medicine has long recognized nourishment’s role in health, dating back to Hippocrates’ famous words, “Let food be thy medicine.”

Dr. Singh-Karnik is helping bring that principle into modern care at HonorHealth, serving as a co-principal investigator alongside Shad Marvasti, MD, and program director Anne Costa on a new three-year, $250,000 USDA GusNIP grant awarded to Desert Mission.

The initiative brings fresh, locally sourced produce directly into primary care practices, creating a “farmacy” model within the healthcare setting. Eligible HonorHealth patients insured through Medicare or Medicaid who meet at least one of the following criteria may participate: a positive food insecurity screening, prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight/obesity. Participants receive $50 worth of fresh produce each month for six months. Beyond improving access, the program aims to measure clinical outcomes well enough to help make the case for insurance coverage of produce prescription programs, strengthening the bridge between healthcare and agriculture along the way.

“Together, these efforts represent a shift toward a more preventive, patient-centered model of care that equips patients with practical tools to improve long-term health,” Dr. Singh-Karnik said. “As a member of the WPLC, I am proud to contribute to initiatives that advance prevention and amplify impactful programs across our organization.” The program is also expanding its group medical visit model, where small groups of eight to 10 patients participate in shared learning and support facilitated by physicians and advanced practice providers to foster community and accountability.

Who in your circle is the next Trailblazer? Nominate them today

Dr. Moe’s and Dr. Singh-Karnik’s stories demonstrate how women physician leaders continue to shape the future of healthcare through innovation, research and community impact. Now it’s time to recognize the next Trailblazers.

Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Trailblazer Awards. This annual recognition celebrates HonorHealth-affiliated women physicians who inspire colleagues, improve patient care, and embody our ICARE values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empathy.

Ready to nominate a colleague? Complete the nomination survey.

• Nomination deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 1
• Awards ceremony: Tuesday, Oct. 27

For more information or to join the judging panel, email wplc@honorhealth.com or visit the WPLC SharePoint page.