Women make up nearly 80% of the healthcare workforce, playing vital roles in hospitals, clinics, and care teams across the country. Yet despite that strong representation across the industry, women remain underrepresented in executive leadership roles across many areas of healthcare, including workforce consulting and staffing.
Recognizing the importance of diverse leadership perspectives, Medical Solutions is putting the spotlight on several women helping guide the organization. In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked them to reflect on their leadership journeys, the experiences that shaped their careers, and the advice they would offer professionals earlier in their paths.
Leadership journeys aren’t always linear
Leadership paths rarely follow a straight line. Many women leaders at Medical Solutions say their growth came through mentorship, learning from challenges, and being willing to take on new opportunities along the way.
- “My initial leadership journey was shaped through lived experiences as a frontline staff nurse, which taught me what compassion looks like in action, what good teamwork looks like, and how deeply patients rely on nurses,” said Laura Messineo, Chief Nursing Officer, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions. “As my leadership journey progressed, I had the privilege of learning from transformational healthcare executives, and many became mentors for me. I was shaped by leaders who modeled courage in challenging the status quo, leading by example, advocating for others, and holding the team accountable. These experiences have made me a strategic, innovative, and people-centered leader.”
- “I have been very fortunate in my career to be surrounded by strong female leaders and peers who have mentored me and showed me what great leadership looks like,” said Katey Fabian, Manager of Talent Development. “They modeled what it means to lead with your values first, and that’s really where my approach comes from. The leaders who made the biggest impact on me were the ones who showed up authentically. That gave me permission to do the same. People want to feel seen. When you allow yourself to show up fully, it creates space for others to do it too. Those lessons have shaped how I show up as a leader today.”
- “As I moved into leadership roles, I quickly realized I didn’t need to have all the answers. What matters more is creating an environment where great people can do their best work,” said Ashley Hostetter, Vice President, Recruitment Operations. “Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to learn from some incredible leaders, many of them women, who showed me that leadership can be collaborative, authentic, and focused on lifting others up. That example has stayed with me throughout my career. Those experiences really shaped how I lead today. I focus on listening, empowering teams, and building systems that help good people succeed.”
Advice for future leaders
For professionals entering healthcare, workforce consulting, or leadership roles, learning from those who have navigated similar paths can provide valuable perspective.
Medical Solutions leaders also shared advice they would offer professionals who are earlier in their careers.
- “If you’re entering the healthcare workforce solutions industry, my biggest piece of advice is to always stay connected to the purpose behind the work, said Sarah Rue, Senior Manager of Client Marketing. “At the end of the day, everything we do ultimately supports patient care. Whether you’re focused on staffing, operations, marketing, finance, or strategy, the goal is to ensure healthcare organizations have the right people in the right roles so clinicians can focus on delivering high-quality care. Keeping that mission in mind helps ground decisions and gives the work meaning, especially in a fast-paced, sometimes complex environment.”
- “Be curious, be data-driven, and don’t wait until you feel ‘ready’ to take on bigger opportunities. Some of the most impactful roles in my career came from raising my hand before I had everything figured out,” said Allison Chen, Director of Resources & Tools. “Build strong relationships, learn how the business truly works, and focus on creating value, not just executing tasks. And most importantly, advocate for yourself the same way you advocate for your team and your clients.”
- “Spend more time listening than talking, said Erin MacKenzie, Vice President of Solution Engineering. “Healthcare is a complex environment, and the people closest to the work, clinicians, administrators, and operational leaders, understand the challenges better than anyone. The more you listen and learn how their world actually works, the better equipped you’ll be to help solve real problems.”
Looking ahead at the future of healthcare workforce solutions
As healthcare organizations continue to navigate workforce challenges, leaders say diverse perspectives play an important role in shaping how the industry evolves. Medical Solutions leaders shared what excites them most about the future of healthcare workforce solutions and the opportunities ahead.
- “I am excited to evolve our solutions to the next level: tech-enabled, data-driven, constantly working on better, leaner processes, and continuing to stand out through a consultative, reliable partnership approach — always keeping our clients’ best interests and outcomes in mind,” said Karin Selfors, Chief Client Officer.
- “For a long time, staffing was viewed primarily as a reactive solution, filling open shifts or immediate needs,” said Rebecca Mollak, Vice President of Strategic Accounts. “What’s exciting now is the shift toward more data-driven, long-term workforce strategies. Health systems are looking at labor planning holistically, using technology, analytics, and smarter workforce models to better balance cost, quality, and patient care. At the end of the day, healthcare is powered by people. The more we can improve how we recruit, deploy, and support the workforce, the more impact we can have not only on organizations but ultimately on patient outcomes.”
- “What excites me most is the opportunity to rethink how we develop and support the healthcare workforce to make a bigger impact,” said Liz Hall, Vice President of Talent Management. “The industry is facing real workforce challenges, but that also creates space for innovation, particularly in leadership development, skills-based growth, and designing cultures where people can thrive. When organizations invest in those areas, they don’t just solve staffing challenges; they strengthen the entire healthcare ecosystem.”
Continuing to support leadership at every level
Women have long been the backbone of the healthcare workforce, and their leadership continues to shape how organizations support clinicians, patients, and healthcare systems.
At Medical Solutions, leaders say fostering an environment where people have opportunities to grow and lead helps strengthen both the organization and the healthcare workforce it supports.
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, diverse leadership perspectives remain essential to building strong teams and delivering high-quality patient care.
Supporting healthcare leaders and the workforce they rely on
Healthcare organizations continue to navigate complex workforce challenges. Medical Solutions partners with healthcare systems to deliver innovative workforce solutions that support clinicians, strengthen teams, and help organizations prepare for future workforce needs.
Connect with us today to learn how we can support your team now and in the future.
