- More than 4.500 female professionals work in its health centres, caring for the health and well-being of citizens and researching and innovating to improve physical and emotional care.
- Its CEO, Dr. Elisa Tarazona, has been chosen as one of the TOP 100 women leaders in Spain and leads an organization in which 56% of middle managers are women.
The health group Ribera Ribera commemorates Women's Day "with the pride of leading the health sector in the effective application of equality and training policies and plans, which promote the career and internal promotion of our professionals," explains the CEO of Ribera, Elisa Tarazona, who is also a doctor and has just been chosen again as one of the TOP 100 women leaders from Spain, in the ranking created in 2011 by Mercedes Wullich to give visibility to female talent.
Today, women are the majority in the healthcare sector, and the Ribera group is no exception. 72% of its more than 9.200 professionals are women, who also occupy 56% of management positions. In addition to its CEO, Elisa Tarazona, the group has five female directors on the Management Committee (Financial Area, Private, Clinical Diagnosis and Communication and Marketing) and six female managing directors in the group's hospitals: María Pilar Navarro, in the Torrejón University Hospital (Madrid); Angela Guerra, in the hospital Ribera Povisa (Vigo); Amelia Avalos, in Virgin of Charity River(Cartagena); Vanessa Alvarez, in the hospital Ribera Covadonga (Gijón); Isabel Muñoz, in the hospital IMSKE River (Valencia); and Sandra Fernandez, in the HC Miraflores Hospital, the last to join the group.
Challenges, keys to success and the impact of female leadership in the health sector
The Ribera healthcare group has built a responsible healthcare model, supported by the foundations of equity that goes beyond numbers: it reflects inclusion and commitment to talent and equality. The directors of six of its hospitals agree that one of the greatest challenges has been “breaking gender stereotypes in senior hospital management”. Ángela Guerra (Ribera Povisa) stresses the need to demonstrate professional qualifications in an area where female leadership still faces some prejudices. “Leadership does not depend on gender, but on the skills and values of each person”, recalls María Pilar Navarro (Torrejón University Hospital). Vanesa Álvarez (Ribera Covadonga) highlights, for her part, the importance of flexibility and the ability to adapt “in a constantly evolving environment”.
Regarding the keys to success in their respective professional careers, they all agree on integrity, empathy and teamwork. Amelia Ávalos (Ribera Virgen de la Caridad) and María Pilar Navarro agree on the importance of understanding the needs of teams and patients. For Ángela Guerra, honesty generates trust, and this trust strengthens the authority of leadership. Vanesa Álvarez, on the other hand, focuses on leadership through service to others, promoting equality and balance within the team. For the directors of the Ribera hospitals, effective leadership is based on example and equity.
Social impact of female leadership on health
Women's leadership in the healthcare sector not only promotes equality, but also improves the quality of patient care. María Pilar Navarro highlights that the majority of healthcare personnel are women, and that promoting their professional development "strengthens patient care." Amelia Ávalos, for her part, stresses that diversity in management brings an innovative and strategic vision to hospital management.
The directors of Ribera hospitals encourage young professionals to believe in their leadership abilities. “Being brave, preparing yourself and not being afraid to stand out is important,” advises Angela Guerra. Vanesa Álvarez emphasizes the importance of “asking for help when you need it and constantly learning.” Amelia Ávalos suggests surrounding yourself with good mentors and trusting in your own worth. Confidence, training and perseverance are the key, they say.
With 72% of its professionals being women and a commitment to equality, the Ribera Group has updated Equality plans to guarantee equal access to professional development opportunities, as well as conciliation measures based on the possibilities of each job, such as teleworking in some areas, flexible hours and support for maternity and paternity.
The testimony of the directors of Ribera hospitals encourages other women to take on the challenge of leading with vision, commitment and equity and reinforces the healthcare group's commitment to a management model based on talent, equality and inclusive leadership.
