Event Recap: HBA Think Tank Hosted Inaugural Solutions Summit on Women of Color in Healthcare
The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) Think Tank hosted its inaugural Solutions Summit in March 2025, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and advocates to address critical challenges facing women of color in healthcare. Held at Temple University's Innovation Nest in Philadelphia, the event combined powerful personal narratives with compelling data to spark meaningful dialogue and drive actionable solutions.
A Strategic Focus on Inclusion
The summit, themed "Data and Dialogue: Bridging the Gap for Women of Color in Healthcare," aligned with a critical focus area in the HBA Think Tank's strategic plan: amplifying women of color in the healthcare workforce. In her opening remarks, LaToya Tapscott, Senior Director and Global Head of the HBA Think Tank, emphasized why this focus is urgently needed.
"We know that all women face unique barriers in the healthcare workforce, but the data consistently highlights that women of color navigate additional hurdles at the intersection of race and gender," Tapscott explained.
This sentiment was reinforced by Mary Stutts, CEO of HBA, who underscored the essential role of women throughout the healthcare system: "Women represent 80% of the healthcare workforce in the United States, 67-70% globally, and we make up 90% of all caregivers—both paid and unpaid. This industry has been built on the backbone of women, and healthcare simply cannot walk away from its responsibility to support and develop us. The continued success of healthcare depends on recognizing and investing in the women who have always been its foundation."
Expert Insights from An Array of Speakers
The event featured a distinguished panel of healthcare leaders discussing inclusion in the workplace. Panelists included Amy Turnquist (moderator) from BIP, Susan Childs from LCA Enterprise and Consulting, Kate Rubin of Kate Rubin Consulting, Melva Covington from AGAPE Strategic Solutions, Cerise James, MD, MPH, from CardioDx, and Susan Snodgrass from Incyte.
Keynote speaker Amal Masri, CEO of Fix the Broken Rung, presented compelling data on the "broken rung" phenomenon, where women of color face significant barriers to the first step of management. Masri shared research showing that for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 65 Latinas and 54 Black women received similar promotions.
The summit also featured presentations from Kearney's leadership team, including Dominique Harris and Betty Pio, who introduced their "[w]Health Index" designed to help organizations measure their progress in addressing women's health issues in the workplace.
Revealing Survey Findings
A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the HBA Think Tank's survey on women of color in healthcare. The survey of over 500 respondents from 28 countries revealed significant perception gaps between people of color (POC) and non-POC respondents.
"People of color and non-people of color reported feeling equally equipped to foster belonging for women of color on their teams,” shared Petrina Hurtado, Associate Director of Data Analytics and Intelligence. “However, this is surprising since people of color were significantly more likely to take action to foster belonging.”
Interactive Dialogue and Solutions
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in interactive discussions, polling sessions, and case study examinations. The case studies presented real-world scenarios facing women of color in healthcare settings, prompting participants to analyze challenges and develop practical solutions.
The summit culminated in breakout discussions where participants collaboratively developed actionable steps for advancing women of color in healthcare leadership.
The HBA Think Tank plans to incorporate insights from the summit into a comprehensive report with recommendations for healthcare organizations. Participants were encouraged to take one actionable step following the event and will receive a follow-up in 45 days to check on their progress.
"Data doesn't just tell us where we are—it shows us exactly where to focus our efforts," Tapscott emphasized. "When our survey reveals that only 36% of women of color feel they receive tailored professional development compared to 52% of their colleagues, that gap becomes our priority."
As Todd Abrams, Executive Director of Temple University's Innovation Nest, noted in his welcome remarks, the summit embodied the purpose of the space: "to create collisions and connections" that drive innovation and change.
Through this inaugural Solutions Summit, the HBA Think Tank has established a foundation for continued dialogue and action to advance women of color in healthcare leadership—recognizing that when these barriers are addressed, the entire healthcare system benefits from broader representation and more inclusive, effective leadership.
Access the On-Demand Recording (HBA Academy)
The recording of select sessions from the event are now available in the HBA Academy—a dynamic platform designed to support your career growth and leadership development. Watch it anytime at your convenience here (registration required).
Join Us at Upcoming Events
Don't miss the next HBA Think Tank Solutions Summit focused on Women's Health and Wellness, happening virtually on 4 June, 2025. The Think Tank provides access to quarterly Solution Summits, private member receptions, and the annual Global Council Leadership Summit. Register here.
Get Involved with the HBA Think Tank
Ready to be part of meaningful change? The HBA Think Tank is a trusted space for sharing challenges and best practices, creating breakthrough insights and impactful solutions that shape a more equitable industry. Contact thinktank@hbanet.org to learn more about partnership opportunities.