Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, chief medical officer of Pfizer has been named 2011 Woman of the Year (WOTY) by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).

In her 30-year career, Dr. Lewis-Hall has held leadership roles in direct patient care, academics, media, government, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Among her most recent achievements, in September 2010, Dr. Lewis-Hall was appointed by the Government Accountability Office of the United States to the inaugural Board of Governors for the new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Lewis-Hall’s background and record as well as her management and leadership approaches will be the subject of a feature-length profile in the April print issue of Pharmaceutical Executive.

Dr. Lewis-Hall will be honored at the HBA’s 22nd annual Woman of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, May 5, at the Hilton New York.

The HBA’s criteria for selecting Woman of the Year includes success in the healthcare industry, strong leadership capabilities, proven mentoring skills, dedication, a commitment to giving back to women, and contributions to the community.

“The HBA WOTY selection committee had never before received a nomination package like the one in support of Freda. She had a total of 90 nominations,” says Toni Hoover, Ph.D., Site Director, Groton/New London Laboratories, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development. “Freda has been a staunch advocate for eliminating healthcare disparities in traditionally underrepresented communities, the advancement of women across the healthcare industry, as well being a committed mentor to many women and people of color.”

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.