TITLE:
The Leadership Gap: Ensuring Effective Healthcare Leadership Requires Inclusion of Women at the Top
AUTHORS:
Kathryn J. McDonagh, Paula Bobrowski, Mary Ann Keogh Hoss, Nancy M. Paris, Margaret Schulte
KEYWORDS:
Healthcare, Leadership, Review, Stereotypes, Transformation, Women
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Leadership,
Vol.3 No.2,
May
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: This paper argues
that successful transformation of the healthcare system requires inclusion of
women at the top. Women are missing in top leadership roles in healthcare at a
time when the US healthcare system faces daunting challenges. There is a
documented need for diverse leadership teams with transformational leadership
skills to successfully lead organizations, yet women who comprise three fourths
of the healthcare workforce are sparsely represented in board rooms and in the
senior executive suite. Through a review the literature the authors explain why
this leadership gap persists and recommend strategies to increase gender
diversity in leadership ranks of the healthcare industry. Studies from other
business sectors are also examined for application in healthcare. A lack of
focus on female career development and succession planning, often based on
persistent stereotypes about women leaders is a major deterrent to advancing
women in top leadership positions. A compelling case is made for immediate
remediation of this issue and implementing strategies to fill the leadership
gap with talented women leaders. There is a demand to increase the number of
women in top leadership positions in healthcare to assist in overcoming the
current crises facing the industry.