12 remarkable women who changed healthcare forever

From the lab to the frontline, women have played a crucial role in advancing healthcare throughout history — often having to overcome societal barriers to drive innovation, improve patient care, and save lives. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating 12 extraordinary trailblazers — past and present — whose groundbreaking achievements continue to shape the future of healthcare and inspire generations to come.

‍1. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)

Known as the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale revolutionized healthcare by introducing better sanitation and hygiene practices during the Crimean War. Her efforts significantly reduced hospital death rates from 42% to 2%, setting new standards in patient care across the globe.

‍2. Clara Barton (1821-1912)

Recognized as the “Angel of the Battlefield,“ Clara Barton served as a nurse in the Civil War and founded the American Red Cross at age 59. Her legacy of transforming emergency medical response and disaster relief continues to inspire compassion and service worldwide.

‍3. Marie Curie (1867-1934)

One of the most iconic female scientists, Marie Curie’s pioneering research on radioactivity paved the way for modern cancer treatments like radiation therapy. She is the only person to have been awarded two Nobel Prizes in different scientific fields (physics and chemistry).

‍4. Mary Switzer (1900-1971)

Celebrated as a champion for American disability rights, equity, and inclusion, Mary Switzer was crucial in expanding rehabilitation services and shaping legislative policies that empowered differently abled individuals to live independently and thrive.

‍5. Virginia Apgar (1909-1974)

A pioneering anesthesiologist, Virginia Apgar is known for revolutionizing neonatal care by creating the Apgar Score. This quick newborn health assessment has drastically improved outcomes for millions of infants and remains a standard practice in medicine today.

‍6. Dorothy Hodgkin (1910-1994)

This pioneering chemist developed X-ray crystallography techniques to uncover the structures of crucial molecules like penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin. Her groundbreaking work earned the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and forever transformed medicine and molecular science.

‍7. Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958)

Overshadowed by her male colleagues, this brilliant scientist revolutionized X-ray crystallography, leading to the discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure. Her work established the basis for modern genetics, one of the biggest biological breakthroughs of the 20th century.

‍8. Patricia Goldman-Rakic (1937-2003)

This renowned neuroscientist transformed our understanding of brain function and working memory. Her groundbreaking research is the foundation for neuroscience advancements and innovative treatments for schizophrenia, ADHD, and more.

‍9. Patricia Bath (1942 - 2019) 

Revered for inventing the Laserphaco Probe, Patricia Bath helped revolutionize cataract surgery by making it less painful and more precise. Beyond helping to restore vision for millions of people worldwide, her work paved the way for pivotal advancements in ophthalmology.

‍10. Mary-Claire King (1946) 

Celebrated for discovering the BRCA1 gene, Mary-Claire King transformed healthcare by linking genetics to breast and ovarian cancer risk. This breakthrough led to life-saving genetic testing and prevention strategies. She also used genetics to reunite families, showing the impact of her work beyond medicine.

‍11. Dr. Svetlana Mojsov (1955-2018)

Renowned for her groundbreaking diabetes research, Dr. Svetlana Mojsov played a pivotal role in developing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Her work revolutionized diabetes care, bringing life-changing treatments to millions of people and improving countless lives.

‍12. Reshma Saujani (1975)

A fierce advocate of parental leave and family benefits, Reshma Saujani also founded Girls Who Code  — an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech and empowering women in STEM fields. Her visionary work continues to drive change and inspire future generations.

Let's #fixhealthcare together.

The healthcare industry has been forever changed by the ingenuity and perseverance of these 12 women who refused to accept the status quo. Even though healthcare still has a long way to go, with the right people who are smart and dedicated to driving change, we know that we can make a difference. Join us!

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