NEWS
Advancing women’s leadership and cardiovascular care in 2026
Published Date – 12 January 2026
Welcome to 2026! We are ready to get started on another year of exciting programs and projects at Women As One. We’ve set ambitious goals this year as we look to move the organization to its next phase of development. Our primary goal is to promote the many talented women in the field of cardiology. Through our programs, grants, and partnerships, we work to elevate women’s career success and match their qualifications with opportunities at partner organizations. As we set out into a year of growth, we wanted to share some of our short- and long-term goals with you.
At the end of last year, we launched our online community group, The Pulse. The Pulse is focused on enhancing professional development and making access to opportunities more seamless. It’s an interactive and user-friendly space built to foster connection, learning, and leadership among women physicians worldwide. This year our vision is to focus on building the space for a more inclusive and interconnected global medical community.
Our programs are the driving force behind what we do. In 2026, all our educational offerings will be delivered through the lens of improving cardiovascular outcomes for women, while supporting the growth and leadership of those who care for them. You can expect expanded opportunities to learn, connect, and access resources that advance both your career and the field.
We will introduce four new CLIMB clinical training topics—AI in Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment, Cardiorenal Metabolic Health, Lipid Management, and Transthyretin Amyloidosis—each grounded in the latest evidence and its implications for women’s heart health. In parallel, we will continue to expand grant opportunities through a growing network of funding partners, alongside our Mentorship Awards and CVCT Research Scholar Awards, strengthening the pipeline of leaders and investigators dedicated to advancing cardiovascular care for women.
We are excited to continue our partnership with the European Society of Cardiology to host RISE @ ESC Congress in Munich this year. This will be the fourth year of our flagship event, bringing together women in cardiology from around the world. The 2026 theme, Growing and Thriving as a Leader in Cardiology, reflects our continued commitment to women in cardiology at every career stage and across every practice setting.
We’ll continue our work in the world of research, publishing a research report demonstrating the relationship between our work to support gender equity in cardiovascular medicine and improved patient outcomes.
Finally, we have welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors – Dr. Borja Ibáñez and Professor Liesl Zühlke. Our strengthened leadership will help further our mission and vision, bringing our global growth strategies forward.
The pursuit of gender equity in cardiology requires sustained commitment and thoughtful collaboration. It is also a space of growing momentum and possibility, and we look forward to working alongside you throughout the year to shape the future of cardiovascular care.
“As we move into 2026, Women As One is focused on turning momentum into lasting impact for women in cardiovascular medicine and the patients they serve. From expanding The Pulse to launching new CLIMB training areas and deepening our global partnerships, everything we do is guided by a simple goal: to ensure women physicians have the access, support, and visibility they need to lead. When women are empowered to thrive as clinicians, researchers, and innovators, patient care improves for everyone. I am especially excited about our continued collaboration with ESC through RISE and the strength of our growing leadership community, which together will help shape a more equitable and effective future for cardiovascular care worldwide.” – Malissa J. Wood, Chief Medical Officer at Women As One
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