Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Southern California Chapter Announces 2012 LEAD Award Winner

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Southern California Chapter (HBA SoCal) presented the 2012 LEAD (Leadership Excellence and Dedication) Award to Ericka Crawford, vice president of the HBA SoCal Chapter, this month at the organization’s annual business meeting. Crawford, director, quality assurance, Abbott—Ibis Biosciences Division, was recognized for her ongoing significant contributions to the HBA SoCal Chapter and its members.

“In difficult and challenging times, Ericka has been our ‘rock,’”

The LEAD Award honors one member from each of the HBA chapters nationwide who has demonstrated excellence in their sustained contributions at a regional level, positively impacted their chapter and its ongoing success, exemplified leadership excellence overall, and demonstrated dedication to the HBA.

Crawford’s attitude and actions embody the HBA’s mission to further the advancement and impact of women in healthcare. She was instrumental in implementing a major structural change for the HBA SoCal Chapter, designed to better serve members in diverse geographic regions—as reflected by the creation of three Regional Director board positions charged with overseeing chapter activities, member value, and growth in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

According to Jill Schulman, HBA SoCal board president and area sales manager for Intuitive Surgical, Crawford’s leadership has been fundamental to several of the chapter’s accomplishments over the last two years. “In difficult and challenging times, Ericka has been our ‘rock,’” Schulman said. “She is a true driver for our chapter—persistent, hard-working, highly-reliable, and the silent power behind many of the efforts that have helped our chapter grow and thrive.”

The HBA is in its fourth decade as a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to furthering the advancement of women in healthcare worldwide. With 15 chapters and affiliates throughout the U.S. and in Europe, the HBA provides educational opportunities for women to develop cutting-edge healthcare industry knowledge and leadership skills; recognizes outstanding women and men in the industry; provides opportunities for networking; creates greater visibility for women in the industry; fosters mentoring relationships and serves as a conduit and sponsor for research on career advancement issues. The HBA has more than 6,000 individual members and nearly 130 Corporate Partners. For more information, visit www.hbanet.org.