Healthcare Innovator Award 2024

Winner of the 2024 Healthcare Innovator Award: Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza, PhD
Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza has been honoured with the National Healthcare Innovator Award at the inaugural Women of Colour in STEM Awards 2024, a landmark event celebrating the achievements of women of colour in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
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About the Healthcare Innovator Award
The Healthcare Innovator Award recognises a woman of colour in Australia who has significantly contributed to medical science, healthcare technology, and patient care.
Award Criteria:
The award highlights achievements in:
•Innovations in medical procedures or technologies.
•Improvements in healthcare delivery systems.
•Significant research contributions addressing critical healthcare challenges.
A distinguished panel of experts and STEM leaders reviewed 205 nominations, assessing each nominee's work's impact, innovation, and alignment with the award criteria.
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A Night of Inspiration at the Women of Colour in STEM Awards
The inaugural Women of Colour in STEM Awards celebrated brilliance, resilience, and innovation. Held at the historic Isabella Fraser Room at the State Library Victoria in Melbourne, the event brought together trailblazers, leaders, and supporters to honour excellence across diverse STEM fields.
From a pool of over 205 nominations, finalists and winners were recognised for their groundbreaking contributions. Dr Pinero de Plaza received the Healthcare Innovator Award, joining other extraordinary winners:
•Leadership Award: Professor Fariba Dehghani
•Environmental Impact Award: Teresa Cochrane
•Engineering Excellence Award: Brenda Denbesten
•Scientific Research Award: Vivian Tam
•Mathematics Mastery Award: Sevvandi Kandanaarachchi
•Technology Trailblazer Award: Shama Islam
•Data Science Pioneer Award: Indu Bala
•Guiding Star Mentorship Award: Rashina Hoda
•Innovator Award: Chamindie Punyadeera
•Rising Star Award: Catriona Vi Nguyễn-Robertson and Harini Hapuarachchi
The evening was a powerful celebration of the contributions of women of colour in STEM, emphasising the importance of amplifying their voices and addressing systemic inequities.
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Dr Pinero de Plaza’s Journey: A Healthcare Innovator
Dr Pinero de Plaza’s recognition as the Healthcare Innovator Award winner is a testament to her work addressing healthcare inequities, improving patient outcomes, and integrating advanced technologies into clinical practice.
Key contributions highlighted by Professor Jeroen Hendriks in the nomination letter include:
•Cardiac Rehabilitation for All (CR4ALL): Leading this Flinders Foundation-funded project, Dr Pinero de Plaza implemented innovative strategies to address inequities in cardiac rehabilitation access for rural and underserved populations. Her work has significantly reshaped policies and practices across 15 cardiac rehabilitation programs.
•Caring Life Course Theory (CLCT): This framework, operationalised by Dr Pinero de Plaza, has advanced cardiac care networks by demonstrating the interconnectedness of care networks and capabilities. This has had profound implications for improving accessibility in underserved regions.
•PROLIFERATE_AI Framework: Combining Bayesian statistics with participatory research, Dr Pinero de Plaza developed this methodology to predict the adoption and sustainability of AI tools in clinical settings. The framework has been applied to enhance emergency care in 12 South Australian hospitals.
•Research Excellence: Dr Pinero de Plaza’s research impact is evidenced by her Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) from SciVal (2019–2024), which stands at 13.74 in Information and Computing Sciences, 4.05 in Health Sciences, and 3.86 in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences—far exceeding global averages. Her work, published in leading journals such as the Journal of Advanced Nursing and Heart, Lung and Circulation, continues influencing global healthcare practices.
•Funding and Innovation: Her work within transdisciplinary teams has secured over A$2.6 million in research funding for several implementation and evaluation projects, including CREW, Safe@Home, and RAPIDx AI, advancing healthcare equity and innovation.
•Publication Reach: Dr Pinero de Plaza’s work on the PROLIFERATE_AI framework, published in Frontiers in Health Services, has garnered more than 4.3K views, 1.2K downloads, and 8 citations, reflecting its significant academic and practical influence.
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A Heartfelt Thanks
Dr Pinero de Plaza thanked the Women of Colour in STEM Awards committee, her mentors, collaborators, and family for their unwavering support. She acknowledged the vital role played by her nominator, Professor Jeroen Hendriks, and the support of her colleagues at Flinders University and the Caring Futures Institute, who championed her innovative ideas and research.
Special thanks to STEM Sisters and its visionary founder, Dr Ruwangi Fernando, for creating this platform to empower and celebrate women of colour in STEM. The event’s success was made possible by sponsors such as the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the University of Melbourne, and Monash Information Technology, along with the dedication of judges, organisers, and attendees.
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Looking Ahead
This award is not just a recognition of past accomplishments but a call to action for continued innovation and advocacy. Dr Pinero de Plaza remains dedicated to advancing healthcare systems, fostering collaboration, and inspiring the next generation of leaders in STEM.
For more information about Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza’s work and contributions, visit her research profile:
researchnow.flinders.edu.au/en/persons/maria-alejandra-pinero-de-plaza
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Frequently Asked Questions to Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza After Receiving the Award:
Why an Award for Women of Colour in STEM?
The Women of Colour in STEM Awards were created to spotlight the unique and invaluable contributions of women of colour in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, the necessity of such an award extends far beyond recognition. It addresses the systemic challenges and inequities women of colour face in STEM, fostering visibility, representation, and opportunity.
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The Case for Dedicated Recognition
In Australia, well-educated women of colour and those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds face significant barriers in STEM and health sciences. These barriers arise from systemic racism, gender discrimination, and cultural biases, manifesting in the following ways:
•Microaggressions are subtle yet pervasive acts of discrimination that undermine professional credibility and self-esteem (Wicks et al., 2023).
•Intersectional Challenges: The compounded effects of racism and sexism create unique and significant disadvantages (Ang et al., 2023).
•Undervaluation of Contributions: Systemic biases favour male colleagues or individuals from non-CALD backgrounds, often limiting recognition and career opportunities for women of colour (Kong et al., 2020).
These factors contribute to the "leaky pipeline" phenomenon, where women of colour are underrepresented in leadership roles and frequently leave STEM fields due to hostile work environments and limited opportunities.
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Microaggressions: A Barrier to Advancement
Microaggressions, including racial categorisation and assumptions about competence, remain a persistent challenge. Research by Wicks et al. (2023) indicates that such behaviours:
•Foster a hostile workplace environment.
•Lead to feelings of isolation, hindering the formation of supportive networks.
•Increase stress and anxiety, negatively affecting career progression.
The cumulative impact of microaggressions can severely impede the professional development and retention of women of colour in STEM.
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Intersectional Barriers
The intersection of racism and sexism compounds the difficulties faced by CALD women in STEM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian women in Australia reported heightened instances of racism and sexism, underscoring how societal attitudes exacerbate existing inequalities (Ang et al., 2023).
Understanding these intersectional challenges is crucial for developing targeted interventions addressing gender and racial disparities in STEM workplaces.
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Addressing the Undervaluation of Contributions
Systemic biases that favour male or non-CALD colleagues often result in the undervaluation of the work of women of colour. This manifests in:
•Reduced opportunities for leadership and promotion.
•Decreased job satisfaction and motivation.
Policy changes and inclusive practices are essential to ensure equitable recognition and advancement for women of colour (Chen et al., 2021).
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Challenging Gender Stereotypes
Stereotypes about women’s capabilities in STEM reinforce exclusionary practices and create barriers to success. As Manzi (2019) points out, these cultural biases necessitate a concerted effort to challenge societal narratives and promote a culture of inclusion and equity.
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The Role of the Awards
The Women of Colour in STEM Awards aim to:
•Celebrate Brilliance: Recognising the resilience and contributions of women of colour in STEM.
•Amplify Voices: Elevating the achievements of women who are often underrepresented in their fields.
•Inspire Generations: Encouraging future women of colour to pursue STEM careers, knowing their work will be valued and recognised.
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A Call to Action
These awards are not merely about recognition; they represent a step towards systemic change. By celebrating successes, addressing barriers, and fostering inclusion, the awards contribute to creating a more equitable and supportive environment for women of colour in STEM and health sciences research.
References:
•Ang, S., Song, J., & Pan, Q. (2023). Pandemic racism and sexism in Australia: Responses and reflections among Asian women. Current Sociology, 72(3), 463-481.
•Chen, X., Liu, Y., Luo, Y., Wang, S., & Zhu, Z. (2021). Gender disparity and discrimination in the field of STEM.
•Kong, S., Carroll, K., Lundberg, D., Omura, P., & Lepe, B. (2020). Reducing gender bias in STEM.
•Manzi, F. (2019). Are the processes underlying discrimination the same for women and men? A critical review of congruity models of gender discrimination. Frontiers in Psychology, 10.
•Wicks, M., Hampshire, C., Campbell, J., Maple-Brown, L., & Kirkham, R. (2023). Racial microaggressions and interculturality in remote Central Australian Aboriginal healthcare. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22(1).