Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Opens Branches in Australia
Dr Loddie Foose
CEO, DocDocFoose
This December I had the pleasure of traveling from the USA to speak at the opening events for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA, hbanet.org) in Sydney and Melbourne, exciting launches of our first two volunteer-led branches in Australia! These events quickly filled to capacity, with dozens of companies and hundreds of attendees, creating an empowering and engaging forum for discussion and networking. As participants enthusiastically stated, “We needed our own local HBA branch!” and “I came here feeling tired, but am leaving feeling energized!”
The HBA is a global organization dedicated to advancing and amplifying the impact of women in the business of healthcare. With a presence spanning the globe, the HBA supports nearly 150 Corporate Partners and a collective workforce of approximately five million employees. The HBA offers career development opportunities for women at all levels, thought leadership platforms that address critical topics like closing the women's health and wellness gap, funding women innovators, and preparing the future healthcare workforce. Additionally, the HBA provides global forums and recognition programs that honor individuals and organizations driving equity and advancing women in leadership. We were joined at our Australian branch opening events by Dr. Tim Boyle, the CEO of ARCS Australia, who served as a guest panelist and discussed the nature of innovation and collaboration in our healthcare and therapeutic goods industry. I was struck by Tim’s passion for helping others discover and grow their potential, and ARCS Australia’s mission to provide career-long professional development for its members. Tim and I both recognized a deep benefit in helping expand the circle of professional organizations available to help leaders achieve their career goals. In an increasingly complex healthcare industry landscape, collaboration is no longer an option— it’s a requirement to unlock outcomes and to thrive. New ideas, creative partnerships, cross-boundary innovations all arise from a willingness to explore beyond our immediate environment. This is just as true for professional development as it is for technology and product innovation in our industry.
As a long-time HBA volunteer and business leader, I’ve observed firsthand how HBA furthers the advancement and impact of women in the business of healthcare, creating women leaders for life. We pride ourselves on our visionary, innovative, and inclusive culture, accelerating women’s careers, connections, and impact through both individual and systemic change and transformation. It’s no wonder 94% of our volunteers attribute increased skills and 80% attribute career progression to engaging with us!
If you would like to get involved with our HBA Sydney or HBA Melbourne branches, we welcome you to reach out by contacting us at Sydney@hbanet.org or Melbourne@hbanet.org. You’ll have a wonderful opportunity to collaborate hand-in-hand with our amazing volunteer leaders who span many different companies and functional areas within the industry. If you’d like to be involved in opening new HBA branches in other Australia locations, we also welcome your interest via this brief form.
By Tim Boyle MMPP
CEO, ARCS Australia
As CEO of ARCS Australia, I’ve always believed that meaningful collaborations propel our sector forward. The recent launches of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Sydney and Melbourne branches offers an opportunity to unite like-minded organisations in support of our members’ development. ARCS is committed to supporting professionals throughout their careers, ensuring they have the skills, networks, and insights to thrive in a complex and evolving healthcare environment. The arrival of HBA in Australia amplifies this mission and underscores the power of partnership.
HBA’s dedication to advancing women and men in healthcare through robust programming and a global network aligns seamlessly with ARCS’ own ethos. As we embrace innovation and strive to broaden the pipeline of healthcare leaders, we must look beyond our immediate boundaries. Partnerships with strong organisations like HBA enable us to share knowledge, facilitate cross-sector conversations, and inspire professionals at every stage of their journey.
ARCS will continue to seek out collaborations that strengthen our members’ capabilities and enhance the industry’s overall impact. By forging these alliances—be it with HBA or other respected groups—we encourage more holistic growth, deeper relationships, and a richer tapestry of professional support. Together, we will foster a more dynamic and equitable healthcare future.
