I will always need medication, always keep track of my blood glucose and always need an endocrinologist.

I am thankful to say that I have had a relatively positive experience with healthcare and the NHS we have in the UK since my diagnosis 6 years ago. But it did open my eyes to the complexities of healthcare systems around the world and the critical importance of access to care. That “you have diabetes” moment has ignited an interest in health equity I will never let go.

While my journey has been supported with free access to insulin, the latest technology, and regular doctor appointments (all provided for free by the NHS), I know that this is not the experience for most people who share my diagnosis. High prices for medications and medical devices, limited access to health professionals, and high insurance costs force many people to live in ways that put their immediate and long- term health at risk.

Inspired by the healthcare professionals who support me, and driven by my interest in abolishing health inequities, I founded From Girl to Great – a platform dedicated to breaking down barriers and showcasing the diverse paths women can take in healthcare, policy, and health economics.

Our Mission: Empowering Women to Lead

From Girl to Great exists to empower young women to lead in healthcare, policy, and health economics. We focus on providing opportunities for young women to develop leadership skills, increase their knowledge and understanding of the industry, and access the resources they need to become the leaders healthcare desperately needs.

You don’t have to be a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to make an impact in healthcare. We break down stereotypes and showcase the diverse career paths available in healthcare leadership. Through our Ambassador Program, podcast, educational resources, and mentorship opportunities, we empower girls and young women—from high school students through early career professionals—to see themselves as leaders in health equity, innovation, and advocacy.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

We’re honored to be featured by the Lake Country Rural Health Initiative (LCRHI), an organization whose commitment to improving access to care in rural communities aligns deeply with our own mission. Through their Future Healthcare Provider Program, LCRHI mentors and supports students pursuing careers in health by oYering hands-on experiences and opportunities for community engagement.

We partnered with LCRHI because of their dedication to health equity and their inspiring work to empower the next generation of healthcare leaders—values that are also at the heart of From Girl to Great. Together, we’re building a future where emerging leaders from all backgrounds have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to create lasting impact.

How From Girl to Great Creates Tomorrow’s Leaders

Our Ambassador Program serves as a gateway to healthcare leadership for young women worldwide. Currently recruiting our next cohort of ambassadors, this free leadership development network provides participants with a range of opportunities to learn and grow.

Content Creation & Media: Ambassadors can interview healthcare and policy leaders, write published blog posts for our platform, conduct interviews with industry professionals, and gain visibility through our website and social media channels. These experiences build communication skills while expanding their professional networks.

Professional Development: Through attendance at national and local events with media access, ambassadors leverage From Girl to Great credentials for interviews and event access. They connect with health leaders for research opportunities and gain real-world experience in healthcare policy and economics.

Leadership & Community Building: Ambassadors lead local activities in schools and communities, become chapter leaders in their regions, join our Leadership Team for program development, and facilitate peer mentorship and support. These roles develop the community engagement skills essential for healthcare leadership.

Our podcast, hosted by me and featuring inspiring conversations with women shaping the healthcare industry, serves as another crucial tool for providing access to leadership insights. These trailblazers share their journeys, challenges, and advice, helping teenage girls build confidence and envision their own paths to success. Whether someone is in a major city or a rural community, they can access the same mentorship and career guidance through our digital platform.

The From Girl to Great podcast and online resources demonstrate how technology can bridge geographical gaps—much like how telemedicine and digital health solutions are transforming rural healthcare delivery. By making leadership development accessible online, we’re ensuring that location doesn’t limit opportunity.

The Ripple ELect: Today’s Ambassadors, Tomorrow’s Rural Healthcare Leaders

The young women participating in From Girl to Great today will become the healthcare leaders, policymakers, and innovators of tomorrow. Some will become rural physicians who understand both clinical care and health economics. Some will become scientists or engineers to develop the next medication or medical device. Others will run for elected oYice or serve in organizations to develop policies that improve healthcare

access or create innovative solutions for medication distribution and specialist care coordination. Still others may work in corporations, non-profits, or state and federal departments to provide access to healthcare across workforces and communities.

Consider the ambassador from a rural community who learns about health policy through our program and goes on to advocate for telemedicine expansion in her state legislature. Or the young woman who interviews a healthcare economist through our platform and develops innovative payment models for rural healthcare delivery. These ripple eYects create lasting impact far beyond our immediate programming.

By partnering with organizations like LCRHI, we’re creating pathways for our ambassadors to gain hands-on experience in rural healthcare settings. This exposure helps them understand the unique challenges and opportunities in these communities, preparing them to become more eYective leaders regardless of where their careers take them.

Technology as an Equalizer

My experience managing diabetes has taught me that healthcare access shouldn’t depend on geography, and the same principle applies to leadership development opportunities. Through our digital-first approach, From Girl to Great makes high-quality mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities available to young women regardless of their location.

Our ambassadors have included young women from Costa Rica to Atlanta, Georgia, demonstrating that passion and potential exist everywhere – young women just need the right platforms and opportunities to flourish.

Just as rural communities are increasingly leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery, we’re using digital tools to ensure that the next generation of healthcare leaders includes voices from every community and background.

Building a Movement, One Ambassador at a Time

What started as my response to my experience with type 1 diabetes has grown into a growing, global network of young women committed to transforming healthcare leadership. Our current ambassadors are creating content, building professional networks, and leading initiatives in their communities while gaining mentorship and real-world experience.

But we’re just getting started. Healthcare faces enormous challenges—from addressing rural access issues to managing rising costs, and ensuring equity in care delivery. These challenges require leaders who understand not just clinical care, but the complex interplay of policy, economics, and community engagement that shapes healthcare outcomes.

Through our partnership with LCRHI and other like-minded organizations, we’re building a pipeline of diverse, passionate leaders who are prepared to tackle these challenges head-on. These young women will bring fresh perspectives, innovative approaches, and a deep commitment to health equity that rural communities—and the entire healthcare system—desperately need.

Join the Movement

The partnership between From Girl to Great and Lake Country Rural Health Initiative represents more than just two organizations working together—it’s a commitment to ensuring that the next generation of healthcare leaders reflects the diversity and passion needed to address our most pressing challenges.

Whether you’re a young woman interested in healthcare leadership, a healthcare professional looking to mentor the next generation, or an organization seeking to collaborate on empowering future leaders, there are multiple ways to get involved:

For Aspiring Healthcare Leaders: Applications for our Ambassador Program are accepted on a rolling basis through our website at FromGirlToGreat.com. The typical timeline from application to onboarding is approximately 2-3 weeks, and participation is completely free. We welcome high school students (14+) through early career professionals who are curious about healthcare, policy, or health economics and eager to develop their leadership skills.

For Healthcare Professionals: Volunteer as a mentor, speaker, or writer to share your experience and expertise with our ambassadors. Your insights could be the catalyst that helps a young woman envision her path to healthcare leadership. If you get in contact, we can arrange something that would work for you.

For Organizations: Partner with us to support the From Girl to Great mission. You can help spread the word, oYer resources, collaborate on research/events, and create opportunities for our ambassadors to gain experience. Like our partnership with LCRHI, these collaborations create mutual benefits while advancing our shared commitment to developing future healthcare leaders.

Through From Girl to Great, we’re not just creating individual success stories; we’re building a movement of leaders who will transform healthcare for the better.

Every ambassador we empower, every connection we facilitate, and every barrier we break down brings us closer to a healthcare system that truly serves everyone, regardless of where they live or what challenges they face. The future of healthcare leadership is bright, diverse, and ready to create change—and it starts with empowering girls to see themselves as the leaders they’re meant to become.

Ready to join the movement? Visit FromGirlToGreat.com to learn more about our Ambassador Program, listen to our podcast, and discover how you can be part of empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders.