2005: Lynn O’Connor Vos

The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) recognized Lynn O’Connor Vos as the 2005 HBA Woman of the Year. At the time of this award, Vos was the president and CEO of Grey Healthcare Group, Inc (GNG), one of the highest-ranking women in the service sector and the first to be named and HBA WOTY from the service side since 1997. 

“Lynn has demonstrated tremendous entrepreneurial success by building a major global healthcare communications network,” said HBA chair emeritus, Barbara Pritchard. “Lynn represents one of the strongest role models for our industry. She demonstrates the ideal of advancing women in their careers by appointing them to key leadership positions in her organization and mentoring women at various levels throughout the industry.”

Nefertiti A. Greene, executive director, marketing, Forest Labs, Inc., said “Lynn is a true leader in every sense of the word. She is extremely strategic and committed to excellence in everything she does. She takes the time and effort to mentor many up and coming future leaders.”

“Lynn’s visionary leadership, innovative marketing style, successful business management and the support of the advancement of women truly epitomizes the values for which the HBA Woman of the Year award stands,” says Kathy Giusti, president of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, former executive director of Searle and the 1998 HBA Woman of the Year recipient.

Lynn has developed revolutionary healthcare strategies that translate into increased market share and market expansion programs around the world. She also created a unique single P&L structure to satisfy the changing requirements of today’s global pharmaceutical clients. These programs resulted in numerous high-profile brand assignments, including Pfizer/Sanofi-Aventis’ Exubera, AstraZeneca’s Crestor, Pfizer/Pharmacia’s Celebrex, GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair and Forest’s Lexapro.

Lynn managed all of GHG’s fully-integrated, worldwide subsidiaries, including GHG Advertising, BrandEdge, Avenue Grey, Nova Grey, Phase Five Communications -- which she founded in 1987 -- International Meetings & Science, Summit Grey and, most recently, Hurd Studios. 

Ed Meyer, chairman, president and CEO of Grey Global Group said “Grey Healthcare Group has become one of the most outstanding healthcare communications networks in the industry. It’s because of the tone set by Lynn. They do high quality work for clients, in a highly creative environment, with no compromise of ethical standards. Lynn has a strong commitment to the career development of her team and peers.”

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View a printable copy of the press release 

All information in the honoree’s bio is reflective of the time they won the award.