The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) today announced that Dr. Deborah Dunsire, president and CEO of Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, will be honored as the 2009 Woman of the Year.

Dunsire, a 20-year veteran of biologics and pharmaceutical business, was named president and CEO of Millennium in July 2005. She has received numerous awards for her achievements in the fields of oncology, hematology, and inflammatory diseases, including an honorary Doctor of Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the American Cancer Society’s Excalibur Award, the Creative Spirit Award from the Creative Center for Women with Cancer, the New Jersey Women’s Fund Achievement Award, and the Gilda’s Club NYC Corporate Honor.

“Leaders like Dr. Dunsire continue to serve as role models for all women entering the healthcare industry, and set new standards for accomplishment,” said Ceci Zak, HBA president. “The advancements that she has helped pioneer in oncology have made an overwhelming impact in the field, and are an inspiration to us as healthcare executives.”

At the 20th annual HBA Woman of the Year luncheon in May, Dunsire will be recognized for her contributions to the healthcare industry along with a group of “Rising Stars,” and winners of the Honorable Mentor and Star Volunteer awards.

Stay tuned to Pharm Exec for more HBA Woman of the Year coverage, including a feature about Dr. Dunsire in our April issue and a special podcast series where we’ll chat with previous winners of HBA’s Woman of the Year in honor of the award’s 20th anniversary.

And for the rest of us? Well, at least there’s the Healthcare Businesswoman’s Association (HBA) and its annual Leadership Conference. The event is being held next week in Chicago (and if it’s the hometown of the President, we expect it to be all the more exciting). With more than 600 attendees already registered, it will be the largest meeting of its kind. One-third of these women are vice presidents and above, so for the ladder climbers in the industry, this is the place to be.

Pharm Exec will be doing on-site blogging—so stay tuned for regular updates. In particular, we’re looking forward to the panel of “Hard Lessons, Sweet Successes,” moderated by Charlotte Sibley, HBA’s 2008 Woman of the Year. Charlotte shocked the luncheon crowd in May when she revealed her own story of the ups and downs of working in the pharmaceutical industry. (To read her story, click here) This time, she puts tough questions to an esteemed panel including Dierdre Connelly, President, Lilly USA; Len Kanavy, Vice President, Commercial Operations of Genentech; Renee Tannenbaum, Global Head, Commercial Operations, Novartis AG; Eisai’s President Lonnel Coats; and Ginger Graham, Two Trees Consulting, former CEO Amylin.