Christina M. Bailey-Hytholt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Dr. Bailey-Hytholt is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Her research focuses on biomaterials and drug delivery, particularly for women’s health. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from WPI, and she earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, receiving Brown University’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching and School of Engineering Outstanding Thesis Award. Prior to her faculty appointment at WPI, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Genomic Medicines and Biologics Drug Product Development group at Sanofi. In 2022, Dr. Bailey-Hytholt was selected as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 in Science.

Dr. Bailey-Hytholt’s research group at WPI focuses on new methods to understand molecular transport at the maternal-fetal interface and design lipid-based drug delivery carriers to help treat pregnancy-related complications. Her research also investigates gene therapies for women’s health applications. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt’s group has received funding support from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Women’s Health Innovation Grant and Amnion Foundation Seed Grant. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt mentors students within the project-based learning environment at WPI and in her research lab. Her goal as an educator is for all students to be able to succeed and continue in their career with a strong reference skill set and the ability to think critically and creatively. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt is particularly passionate about accessibility and inclusivity in STEM education and K-12 outreach, knowing the importance and impact mentorship can have on future generations of scientists and engineers.

Mareshia Donald, Ph.D.

Director, Chief of Staff to the Chief Human Resources Officer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Mareshia Donald, PhD, is a dynamic change maker who is most energized by opportunities that enable her to combine her scientific training with a passion for advancing STEM literacy and a commitment to creating inclusive STEM spaces. Since joining Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2020, Mareshia has provided vision and strategic leadership to recruitment efforts for Vertex’s signature R&D early career programs as well as to Vertex’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity initiatives and priorities. She currently supports Vertex’s overall people strategy as Chief of Staff to the Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to her role at Vertex, Mareshia led the Summer Scholars and Postbaccalaureate Research InternShip & Mentoring (PRISM) Programs at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research and Education and Diversity efforts for the Center on Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems at MIT.

Mareshia holds a doctoral degree in neuroscience from Brandeis University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in neuroscience and behavior & language studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

She was one of 60 scientists from underrepresented backgrounds to have their experiences represented in the play Young Nerds of Color and has served on the boards of the Association for Women in Science-Massachusetts Chapter, the Housing Corporation of Arlington, the North Suburban YMCA and the Fisher College Biology Program. She presently serves on WBUR’s Community Advisory Board — where she is also a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. She resides with her daughters and husband in Arlington, MA and enjoys day trips, reading, and coffee.

Dallas M. Ducar MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNL, FAAN

CEO, Transhealth

Dallas Ducar serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Transhealth, a pioneering organization committed to transforming healthcare. As a faculty member at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, Columbia University, and the MGH Institute for Health Professions, Dallas brings a wealth of expertise to her role in shaping the future of healthcare. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Dallas actively molds health policy related to equity, ethics, and affirming care. She demonstrates her unwavering commitment as the Co-Chair of the Primary Care Alliance, a member of the LGBTQI Federal Policy Roundtable, and a fervent advocate for affirming care across the nation.

Dallas serves on the Board of Directors for GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Healing Our Community Collaborative (HOCC), the University of Virginia Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access (IDEA) Fund, and the Health Advisory Council for Western Governors University. Dallas is a vital member of the Northampton Board of Health and has proudly served on the Official Transition Team for Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

Dallas has helped advise elected leaders in best practices and policies for gender-affirming care, including advocating for protections for providers, and continues to push the needle of justice forward.

Dallas finds meaning and passion in her life by spending time hiking with her dogs, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her loving family and friends. She is actively working to create affirming healthcare by fostering freedom, empowering patients, creating more ethical systems, and restoring a community focus back to clinical care.

Naomi Fried

Founder and CEO, PharmStars

Naomi Fried, PhD, is the founder and CEO of PharmStars, the pharma-focused accelerator for digital health startups. She is also a Managing Partner and co-founder at Ambit Health Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on early-stage digital health investments. Previously, Naomi was the CEO of the boutique advisory firm, Health Innovation Strategies, which assisted pharmaceutical companies and large healthcare organizations with digital health strategy, innovation program design and optimization, and innovation activities. Naomi was the first Vice President of Innovation and External Partnerships at Biogen where she developed the firm’s “innovation beyond the molecule strategy.” Prior to that, she was the first Chief Innovation Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she built and led a team to promote digital health and clinical innovation. Prior to that, she was the first Vice President of Innovation and Advanced Technology at Kaiser Permanente where she led an effort to identify and assess new and emerging health care technology. Naomi is on the board of Wavely Diagnostics and Head Diagnostics and an advisor to Remepy. Previously she served on the board of Directors of the American Telemedicine Association, was a member of the Governor of Massachusetts’ Innovation Council, and an advisor to ResApp. Naomi received her PhD in Materials Science from MIT and her BS in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

Erin Nahrgang, RN, CCM

Senior Director ACO Complex Care Management, Boston Medical Center Health System

Erin Nahrgang, RN, CCM is the Senior Director of ACO Complex Care Management for Boston Medical Center Health System. In this role, Erin leads a dynamic program serving Medicaid members with complex health and social needs as they navigate their health related goals. She has expertise in complex care, multi-disciplinary team building, advocacy and cross-sector partnerships that support the well-being of vulnerable communities and individuals. She is passionate about elevating the stories and experiences of the beneficiaries and staff at the heart complex care, and building pathways for personal and professional growth in the complex care field. Erin’s work history includes: Transitional Care Management at CareOregon, complex care for patients with heart failure at Oregon Health and Science University, as well as in an advisory capacity for ACCESS, a community based health and education center in rural Uganda.

Erin received her Bachelor’s of Nursing Degree from Oregon Health and Science University, and her Bachelor’s of Arts in Intentional Studies with a focus on healthcare delivery in low resource settings from the University of Denver.

Kemi Olugemo, MD, FAAN

VP, Global Clinical Development, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical

Dr. Kemi Olugemo is a Physician-Scientist and Philanthropist devoted to healthcare advocacy and professional development. As Vice President of Global Clinical Development at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Kemi leads teams that are developing potentially life-changing medicines for patients with rare neurological diseases.

Over the past two decades, Kemi has directly contributed to the design and execution of dozens of clinical programs across an array of therapeutic areas and modalities, resulting in the approval of multiple novel treatments in several continents. In addition, Kemi has a mission to advance health equity in her local and global communities. She has spearheaded community education initiatives and is actively involved in educating lawmakers about the critical role neurologists play in healthcare reform.

In 2022, Kemi launched Zebulon Foundation Inc to identify and close critical healthcare gaps in Nigeria and other West African countries. Kemi also serves on the Boards of Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP) and Clinics IV Life (a global maternal healthcare nonprofit organization), as well as on the Physician Research Council (PRC) for Circuit Clinical, Leadership Council of CNS Summit, and on the Scientific Committee of the International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM).

Kemi completed her medical training and Neurology Residency at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and an additional Fellowship in Neuroimmunology & Multiple Sclerosis at the Maryland Center for MS Excellence. She resides in Wayland, MA with her husband and two teenagers.

Kristen Palumbo, MHCDS, BSN, RN, NE-BC

Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer, Innovive Health

As COO, Kristen works closely with the leadership team to implement strategies across the organization to support Innovive Health’s mission to provide innovative, compassionate home healthcare to a diverse population of complex patients with multiple chronic medical and psychiatric disease processes. She ensures that Innovive’s clinical team provides exceptional care that promotes increased independence, addresses social determinants of health, and improves patient outcomes in the lowest cost care environment.

Since joining Innovive in 2005 as a Case Manager, she has conducted over 20,000 patient visits and held numerous leadership roles including Director of Quality Improvement, Regional Director of Clinical Services, and Vice President of Clinical Services. She has served as a point person for many of the company’s valued payor, regulatory, and community partners while spearheading innovative programs such as the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program and telehealth-based wound care program. Kristen is board certified as a Nurse Executive.

Kristen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salem State University. She most recently graduated from the Master of Health Care Delivery Science program at Dartmouth College. As a leader in nursing and healthcare education, Kristen serves as the executive sponsor responsible for Innovive’s expanding list of academic partnerships, and she has previously served as an adjunct clinical faculty member.

She is active in the community and supports several community organizations that share Innovive’s mission. After being diagnosed with MS, Kristen joined forces with the National MS Society and is an active fundraiser, advocate, and educator for the organization.

Viveka Prakash-Zawisza

Senior Associate Medical Director, MassHealth

Dr. Viveka Prakash-Zawisza, MD, MS, MBA is an experienced physician leader and innovator with a passion for exploring how policy and systems impact healthcare delivery and social justice. She is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Family & Community Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School. She also holds a degree in global health and has enjoyed providing clinical services in under-resourced settings in the US and internationally. She currently serves as Senior Associate Medical Director at MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) with the Payment and Care Delivery Innovation team. She is the clinical lead for maternal/perinatal health policy and is guiding the creation of a population health program at MassHealth. She also helps to lead health equity initiatives such as gender-affirming care and member and community engagement. She is President of the National Perinatal Association which brings together advocates and providers from all sides of the perinatal landscape to collaborate and advocate for parents, babies, and families. Dr. Prakash-Zawisza is passionate about actively addressing health inequities and disparities and creating an efficient healthcare system that promotes justice and wellness for all people.

Darlene Rodowicz

President & CEO, Berkshire Health Systems

As President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and a life-long resident of Berkshire County, Darlene Rodowicz has dedicated her career to advancing the health and wellbeing of the community she loves.
Darlene joined BHS in 1984 and has served on the system’s Executive Leadership Team since 2005. Over the decades, BHS has grown into an integrated system of more than 4,000 employees serving rural Berkshire County, and Darlene has played a crucial role in this evolution through her various leadership positions, including ensuring the financial strength of the organization during her 15 years as Chief Financial Officer.

She also frequently steps forward as a community leader and advocate, having served for years as chair of both the Berkshire Community College Board of Directors and the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee. Darlene joined the Board of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association in January 2023, where she leads the Standing Committee on Finance. Additionally, she actively serves on the board of directors for the Berkshire Business Roundtable and is regularly consulted by the county’s business leaders for her expertise.

Darlene has skillfully navigated her professional career and her commitment to community service while raising four children, one two of whom followed her into the healthcare workforce—one serving as a nurse and the other as a pharmacist.

Darlene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters in Business Administration from Western New England College.

Sylvia E. Rosas, MD, MSCE

Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; President, National Kidney Foundation, Joslin Diabetes Center

Sylvia E. Rosas, MD, MSCE is a nephrologist and epidemiologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Ma. She is the Director of the Latino Kidney Clinic and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She also is a nephrologist at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Dr. Rosas’s primary research and clinical focus is on diabetic kidney disease. In addition, she has evaluated health disparities in individuals with CKD. She is an advocate for improved healthcare in underserved communities.

She is the clinical center PI in the NIDDK-funded multicenter APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network (APOLLO) that evaluates the role of the APOL1 gene in kidney transplant outcomes. She is also the PI for the Kidney Precision Medicine Program (KPMP) Chronic Kidney Disease recruitment site at Joslin Diabetes Center. KPMP aims to ethically obtain and evaluate human kidney biopsies in order to create a kidney tissue atlas, define disease subgroups, and identify critical cells, pathways, and targets for novel therapies. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, American Journal of Kidney Diseases and the Advances of Kidney Disease and Health. She has received numerous awards including the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of New England Physician of the Year in 2017, National Hispanic Medical Association Fellow of the Year Award and the 2021 American Society of Nephrology Midcareer Distinguished Leader Award. She is the President of the National Kidney Foundation and chairs the NKF Health Equity Advisory Committee.

Extraordinary women advancing healthcare

Honoring remarkable leaders shaping
healthcare across Massachusetts

Overview

Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare (EWAH) Awards recognize ten outstanding individuals across the Commonwealth for their career achievements, with a focus on how they influence, innovate, and foster diversity through policy, practice and mentorship.

OVERVIEW

Each year, the Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare (EWAH) Awards recognize ten outstanding individuals across the Commonwealth for their career achievements, with a focus on how they influence, innovate, and foster diversity through policy, practice and mentorship.

AWARDS CRITERIA

Impact

Demonstrates impact advancing healthcare
Sponsors people and policies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry
Showcases actions and leadership that result in measurable change and/or success
Uses influence and organization’s processes to advance healthcare

Inspire

Inspires and lifts others to strive to improve healthcare
Mentors others to advance women in healthcare
Leads in diversity and inclusion improvements within their organization and the community
Influences others in the larger community by words and actions

Innovate

Leads to drive changes, improvements, and/or new healthcare services
Brings new ideas and thinking to enrich healthcare in the community
Demonstrates a commitment to forward thinking projects and needs that will advance healthcare

EVENT DETAILS

Awards Ceremony