Last week, AAM hosted the Women in Health Policy Happy Hour. This nonpartisan event was designed to help attendees foster connections with old colleagues, network with new ones and spark conversation around some of the important health policy issues we are facing today. We were pleased to host more than 100 congressional staff, health policy professionals, patient advocates and other health care stakeholders in AAM's offices.
AAM Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Alliances Christine Simmon welcomed attendees, noting that women are well represented across the health care sector but need more opportunities to gather together and talk, listen and get to know each other better. She encouraged women to consider networking as a key self-care item for success, as making connections and then nurturing them is instrumental to career development.
Director of Federal Affairs Kristin Murphy and Director of Strategic Alliances Sara Skubikowski organized this event after hearing from other women in health policy that there should be more opportunities for women to network and build relationships.
“Given how many women are both leaders and emerging leaders in health policy, we felt like bringing together professionals with diverse backgrounds can only foster stronger ideas through collaboration and conversation,” said Kristin Murphy.
Thank you to all who took part for making this a priority in their busy calendars. As Christine Simmon told attendees, we look forward to ongoing engagement to share the important role women play in promoting patient-focused health care solutions.
Please mark your calendars: Congressional Briefing Biosimilars: The Challenges & Promise for Patient Access on Friday, April 27
By Rachel Schwartz, AAM Communications Director