RELENTLESSLY BOLD
Empowering Hearts & Celebrating Progress
WomenHeart’s Wenger Awards celebration is one of WomenHeart’s signature events created to honor and recognize extraordinary contributions of individuals and organizations to women’s heart health. This annual event, set in our nation’s capital, is attended by influential and esteemed individuals in the nation working in women’s health, science, medical research, and policy.
WomenHeart’s Wenger Awards celebration was created in honor of Dr. Nanette Wenger, a pioneer and strong advocate for women living with heart disease. At this prestigious event, WomenHeart will recognize those leading the way in medical leadership, research, patient advocacy, and more.
2025 aWARDEES
Dr. Caroline Berchuck on behalf of McKinsey Health Institute: Excellence in Health Advocacy
Caroline Morgan Berchuck, MD, MPH is an Associate Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Atlanta office, and Affiliated Leader of the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI). She supports healthcare clients design care delivery models for complex and...
Rekha Mankad, MD: Excellence in Medical Leadership
Dr. Rekha Mankad is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Director of The Women’s Heart Clinic and The Cardio Rheumatology Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Her primary focus is on the diagnosis...
Ann de Velasco: Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes Award for Champion Excellence
Ann de Velasco, R.N. has enjoyed a 50+ year career in nursing, education, management, and community outreach. Upon graduation from the WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium in 2003, she founded WomenHeart of Miami in partnership with Miami...
Alicia Chong: Excellence in Innovation
Alicia Chong Rodriguez is the Founder & CEO of Bloomer Tech, revolutionizing women’s cardiovascular care through patented, textile-sensor intelligence. An MIT graduate in EECS, her research focused on sex-specific, digital cardiac biomarkers....
Dr. Hayder Hashim: Excellence in Clinical Practice
Dr. Hayder Hashim is an assistant professor of cardiology at Georgetown University and a full-time faculty in the division of interventional cardiology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. After receiving his medical degree from the Baghdad...
Kathryn Schubert: Excellence in Public Service
Kathryn Schubert has served as President & CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) since April 2020. She is a trusted leaders and consensus builder among women’s health stakeholders, and previously served as chief advocacy officer...
2025 EMCEE
Katie Ann Powell: Emcee
Katie Ann Powell, a dynamic entrepreneur, communications professional, and the current Miss District of Columbia, has built a life rooted in gratitude and service. A business owner since age 8 and host of the Full Confidence Ahead Podcast, Katie...
