AAPL Publishes Book Advocating for More Women in Healthcare Leadership — American Association for Physician Leadership Inc. (AAPL)

Event summary

AAPL published 'The Women's Guide to Healthcare Leadership: The Why and The How' by Patricia A. Gabow, MD, MACP on August 28, 2026.
The book argues for more women in healthcare leadership, citing evidence that women leaders produce better outcomes.
The book includes thought exercises and a bonus chapter with reflections from 10 accomplished women healthcare leaders.
Dr. Gabow served as CEO of Denver Health for 20 years and is a member of the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.

The big picture

The publication of this book aligns with broader industry trends towards greater diversity in healthcare leadership. As healthcare systems seek to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency, evidence suggests that diverse leadership teams, particularly those with more women, can drive better results. AAPL's focus on leadership development positions it as a key player in shaping the future of healthcare governance.

What we're watching

Leadership Impact: How the book's evidence-based arguments will influence healthcare organizations to promote more women to leadership roles.
Implementation Challenges: Whether healthcare institutions will adopt the book's strategies to overcome gender bias and other barriers to women's leadership.
Industry Shift: The pace at which the healthcare industry will see a measurable increase in women leaders following the book's guidance.