The path to leadership in healthcare is uniquely challenging, marked by the necessity for precision and fervent dedication. For many, this high-stakes industry demands overcoming deep-seated biases and securing acknowledgement for their true capabilities.
Such obstacles are especially pronounced for Black women, who often face additional layers of systemic barriers and prejudice. Managing the demanding realm of healthcare leadership requires an exceptional blend of resilience and tenacity. For those who confront deep-seated biases and strive to secure their rightful place, the journey can be both daunting and transformative.
Suellen Rodrigues exemplifies this remarkable journey. As the Regional Director of Research Management and Health Systems at a global biopharmaceutical company, she has navigated over twenty years of challenges and opportunities within the healthcare sector. Her journey began as a pharmacist in Brazil and has led her to a pivotal role where she influences healthcare systems across Latin America.
Despite the biases and barriers, she encountered along the way, Suellen’s story is one of relentless perseverance and transformative impact. She reflects on her experiences, acknowledging that “there were times when people didn’t immediately recognize me as a leader because of how I look.”
Rather than allowing these obstacles to define her, Suellen channelled them into motivation, proving her place through exceptional performance and leadership. Her career serves as a powerful example of how dedication, resilience and self-belief can pave the way to extraordinary accomplishments in the face of adversity.
Let’s delve into Suellen’s detailed journey below!
Rising through the Ranks
Suellen began her career as a pharmacist in Brazil, where she was born and raised, in 2004 in the public healthcare sector. From the beginning, her path was marked by challenges—she was entering a field that, while exponentially expanding, remained largely dominated by men in leadership positions. “I started in 2006 at a national pharma company,” she recalls.
Her early roles involved customer service and pharmacovigilance, a field that deals with monitoring the safety of pharmaceutical products. This work gave her valuable insights into the complexities of healthcare and the importance of ensuring that medicines are safe and effective for the public.
By 2009, Suellen had joined a global pharmaceutical company undergoing a merger with a leading organization in the healthcare niche. This transition presented her with new opportunities to grow within the organization. “The exposure I received inside and outside the company allowed me to take on new challenges,” she says.
As her career progressed, she took on more responsibilities, expanding her work to include regulatory affairs and leadership roles, which prepared her for future opportunities. Despite the progress, she faced significant hurdles related to her race and gender. “Even though I had the qualifications, I was often not seen as someone who could lead because I didn’t fit the typical profile as other teams’ leaders with whom I was interacting and working with,” she shares.
In 2015, Suellen was promoted to a coordinator position in pharmacovigilance. Although this was a significant milestone, she realized that the field was continually progressing. “There was a shift happening in Brazil, with more third-party organizations taking over pharmacovigilance responsibilities,” she explains.
This led her to seek out new opportunities within the organization, eventually transitioning to medical affairs in 2016. This role allowed her to expand her strategic thinking and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific aspects of healthcare, which would prove invaluable in her future leadership roles.
Earning Recognition with Innovation
By 2018, Suellen had moved into a managerial role, overseeing important projects that would shape the healthcare domain in Latin America. Her ability to navigate complex healthcare systems, coupled with her focus on innovation, earned her a reputation as a forward-thinking leader. “I had the opportunity to work internationally again, which broadened my perspective on healthcare,” she reflects. Her work was instrumental in driving changes that would benefit both patients and healthcare providers across the region.
In 2021, she was entrusted with leading the implementation of health systems strategies across Latin America—a project that would ultimately be recognized as a best practice within the organization. “This was a major turning point in my career,” she shares. “It was a recognition of the impact I was able to make, both internally and externally.” Suellen’s leadership in this project earned her a promotion to Director in 2022, solidifying her place as a key figure in shaping healthcare systems across Latin America.
One of the most significant contributions has been her work in promoting healthcare equity and improving access to life-saving treatments. “Our goal is to ensure that healthcare systems across Latin America are more efficient and equitable so that everyone has access to the care they need,” she explains. This focus on equity has driven many of her initiatives, including efforts to expand vaccination programs and improve healthcare quality throughout the region.
Transforming Bias into Strength
While Suellen’s career approach has been impressive, it has not been without its share of challenges. As a Black woman in a leadership role, she has had to confront biases related to both her race and gender throughout her career. “Even though Black people in Brazil represent a significant portion of the population, we are still underrepresented in many professional fields, especially in leadership roles,” she observes. This underrepresentation often led to situations where her capabilities were questioned simply because of her appearance.
One of the most difficult aspects of Suellen’s journey has been navigating these biases while maintaining her focus on driving change in healthcare. “There were moments when I had to work twice as hard to be seen as competent and capable, especially when entering new spaces,” she recalls.
Whether in corporate meetings or healthcare settings, she has had to challenge the assumptions people made about her based on her race and gender. But instead of letting these biases hold her back, she has used them as opportunities to educate others and demonstrate the importance of diversity in leadership.
“I’ve learned that proving myself isn’t always about convincing others of my worth; it’s about staying true to my vision and letting my work speak for itself,” she says. Suellen’s resilience in the face of these challenges has made her an even stronger leader, one who is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion both within her team and in the broader healthcare industry.
Expanding Access and Improving Outcomes
Suellen’s work focuses on generating real-world data to inform healthcare policies and improve patient outcomes. “We’re working to create systems that not only serve individual countries but can be applied across the region to ensure that more people have access to quality healthcare,” she explains.
One of the most notable initiatives has been her efforts to promote gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs in Latin America. This initiative has expanded access to the vaccine for both boys and girls, helping to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
“The introduction of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is a critical step in reducing the burden of cervical cancer across Latin America,” she states. Her work in this area has had a profound impact, helping to increase vaccination rates and improve public health outcomes in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia.
In addition to her work on vaccination programs, Suellen is also focused on improving healthcare systems by streamlining processes and leveraging digital tools. “We aim to make healthcare more efficient by simplifying processes and reducing bureaucratic barriers,” she explains. Her approach to innovation is practical and focused on making tangible improvements that benefit both healthcare providers and patients.
A Leader with Purpose
Diversity and Inclusion are central to her leadership philosophy. As a Black woman in a senior leadership role, she understands the importance of creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in healthcare. “We still have a long way to go in terms of achieving equity, both in healthcare and within our own organizations,” she acknowledges. Suellen is committed to ensuring that her team reflects the diversity of the populations they serve, and she actively works to promote inclusive hiring practices across the organization.
“It’s important that our teams represent the people we are working to help,” Suellen asserts. She believes that diversity is not just about numbers—it’s about creating environments where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. Her dedication to fostering a culture of inclusion has made her a role model for other women of color in the healthcare industry.
She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders and helping them navigate the challenges of their own careers. “As leaders, we have a responsibility to develop others and help them reach their full potential,” she says.
A Vision for the Future of Healthcare in Latin America
Suellen believes that healthcare systems must become more patient-centered, with a focus on preventive medicine and access to care for all. “The future of healthcare is about more than just treating diseases; it’s about preventing them and ensuring that patients are involved in their own care,” she points out.
She is particularly passionate about the role that vaccines and preventive treatments will play in shaping the future of healthcare in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines, and Suellen is committed to ensuring that Latin America is prepared for future health challenges. “We need to continue investing in preventive medicine and making sure that vaccines are accessible to everyone,” she emphasizes.
Apart from her work in healthcare systems, she is also dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within her organization. She believes that healthcare companies have a responsibility to promote social justice and equity, both within their own walls and in the communities they serve. “Our work is about more than just business outcomes; it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives,” she shares.
The Lasting Impact
Suellen’s journey highlights the strength of perseverance, innovation, and the search for recognition. As a Black woman leading initiatives across Latin America, she has faced and overcome numerous obstacles while driving meaningful change in healthcare. Her dedication to enhancing healthcare systems, increasing access to essential treatments, and advocating for diversity & inclusion inspires others.
In a world where opportunities and obstacles often go hand in hand, Suellen’s story reminds us that leadership is not just about titles—it is about impact. Her vision for a more equitable, patient-centered healthcare system offers a path forward for the industry, one where everyone has the chance to be seen, heard, and cared for.
Read More: Click Here
