Princeton health care company Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals has been selected as an ACE Awards winner by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, the company said in a news release.
HBA’s Advancement Commitment Engagement Awards recognize companies that are committed to ensuring that gender diversity and leadership opportunities for women are part of their organizational DNA.
“Gender equality in health care is not a women’s issue, it’s a business imperative,” HBA CEO Susan O’Connor said. “A Catalyst study showed that more women in management positions led to 35% more return on equity than firms that lack gender diversity.”
Otsuka is being recognized for its Network of Otsuka Women initiative that’s working to close the gender gap in the health care and life science industries.
With sponsorship from Otsuka’s CEO and chief commercial officer, and support from the board, NOW has grown to 500 members since its founding in 2019 and represents roughly 25% of the Otsuka U.S. workforce, the company said.
Merck & Co. is also being recognized for its Women’s Network initiative, and the awards will be presented in November in conjunction with HBA’s virtual annual conference.
“The HBA is proud to celebrate its partnership with these industry-leading, award-winning companies implementing HBA mentoring and career pathway programs to advance women at all levels of their organization,” O’Connor said.