Sylvia Young, a 1985 alumna of the UAB Master of Science in Health Administration program, was recently honored as one of Modern Healthcare’s “Top 25 Women in Healthcare.” Ms. Young is the president of Sunrise Health, a three-hospital system in Las Vegas owned by HCA, providing care to more than 236,000 people last year. Before being named to the post at Sunrise in 2007, Young, 47, was president and CEO of the Medical Center of Aurora (Colo.) and Centennial (Colo.) Medical Plaza for nine years.
The Top 25 Women in Health Care is a biennial recognition program that honors female healthcare executives who are making a positive difference in the industry. Nominations are sought from all sectors of the industry, including hospitals, health systems, physician organizations, insurance, government, vendors and suppliers, trade and professional organizations, and patients’ rights groups. Modern Healthcare editors review the nominations and judge them based on five criteria. The candidate must have:
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Successfully served as a leader or managed an organization or company.
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Shown the ability or power to effect change in the healthcare industry. Demonstrated a willingness to share expertise with others in the field.
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Served as a role model or mentor to other female healthcare executives.
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Assumed a leadership position in the industry outside of the candidates’ own organization or company
The 2009 honorees were featured in the April 20, 2009, issue of Modern Healthcare, and were honored at a gala event in June 2009.
As Modern Healthcare noted, Young has exhibited these qualities throughout her career. Her leadership extends beyond Sunrise Hospital and the Sunrise Health System to her efforts at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of the healthcare industry and impact communities in a positive manner.
Young’s recognition as a leader on a national scale joins Sunrise Hospital’s recognition as the “Consumer Choice Award” winner for the past 13 years and as one of Nursing Professionals magazine’s “Top 100 Hospitals to Work For.”
Young resides in Summerlin, Nevada, with her husband, David, and their two daughters.