Follow the pioneers of women's health Michael Dowling Michael Dowling is president and CEO of Northwell Health, based in New Hyde Park, N.Y. When I think about March and Women's History Month, I remember the pioneers who challenged the status quo to defeat societal norms. These heroic individuals not only paved new roads for opportunity but changed our thinking altogether. There are so many female forerunners who have reshaped politics and almost every industry, including medicine. There's—of course—Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now inspiring young women that they could one day become president of the United States. Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought for justice at the highest levels. Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing. And there was Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, who was the first female physician in the U.S.