MEET MORE OF OUR 2025 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Meredith Gannon has a guiding principle in her work: “If I’m going to spend so much of my time working, I want to make sure it’s in a career that allows me to give back in a meaningful way.”
After her child was born prematurely and with a complex health condition, Gannon developed an understanding of the role health care serves for patients and families. This experience motivated her interest in improving health care for all – and underscored the importance of innovation. As the chief strategy and marketing officer for Patient Care Solutions at GE HealthCare, she’s part of a leadership team dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that support patients, empower care teams and strengthen health systems globally.
The president and CEO of Patient Care Solutions, Jeannette Bankes, leads GE HealthCare’s Wisconsin-based group working on medical tech like digital diagnostics, patient monitoring, infant care and more. “I am proud of the profound impact my teams and I have had globally on technology solutions that have transformed the standard of care,” she says.
Alla K. Woodson, Patient Care Solutions’ global general manager for aftermarket services and anesthesia solutions, found her way to GE HealthCare after working for two decades in banking and manufacturing. “I discovered my true passion in leading teams that help health care professionals to take care of their patients,” she says. Now her work helps bring lifesaving technology and solutions to patients across the world – none of which would be possible without a team of motivated and engaged people.
Linda Boltz, the head of people and culture, is building and supporting that team. In her time at GE HealthCare, she’s helped to cultivate a high-performing team at Patient Care Solutions. “The right hire, cultural transformation or a team member’s growth can translate directly to better results,” she says.
“Our goal is a world where health care has no limits.”
– Jeannette Bankes
Q&A
What led you to your field?
Jeannette Bankes: Early in my educational journey I found myself favoring and excelling in math and science, in particular courses like biology, anatomy and technology development, therefore my attraction to the healthcare industry was natural to where I demonstrated strengths and areas of passion.
Meredith Gannon: What led me to a career in medical device marketing was a deep desire to be close to the people who matter most – patients, caregivers, and the health systems that serve them. I’ve always been driven by the opportunity to understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations, and to translate those insights into meaningful solutions that truly impact care.
I’m passionate about bridging the gap between clinical excellence and strategic storytelling, ensuring that the value of our technologies is clearly understood and felt where it matters most: at the point of care.
Ultimately, I chose this path because I believe marketing can be a powerful force for change. When done right, it connects purpose with progress, helping to drive better outcomes for patients and more sustainable solutions for health systems.
Alla K. Woodson: After dedicating over two decades to banking and manufacturing, I found my true passion in enhancing people’s quality of life, which guided me towards healthcare. My grandmothers, both of whom were healthcare professionals, and my scientist parents have also been a tremendous source of inspiration for me.
Linda Boltz: For me, the appeal of working in Human Resources is magnified in healthcare: building high-performing, inclusive teams isn’t just good business—it’s better care.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Jeannette Bankes: The most inspirational part of my work is seeing the impact we have on a daily basis for the patients that we serve. I have had the pleasure of developing many technology options across multiple disease states (coronary stents, valves, drug-eluting beads for liver cancer, lower extremities options for limb salvage, interocular lenses for cataract, retinal options, monitoring solutions to name a few).
Meredith Gannon: What inspires me most about my career is the opportunity to shape and deliver long-term strategy that creates real value for patients, hospitals, and health systems. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help guide innovation and engagement in ways that improve care, drive efficiency, and support better outcomes. Knowing that our work contributes to transforming healthcare – making it more responsive, connected, and patient-centered – is what keeps me energized every day.
Alla K. Woodson: The most rewarding aspects of my work are the opportunity to learn something new every day and helping talented people around me to grow and thrive.
Linda Boltz: Seeing a team unlock performance—whether through the right hire, culture transformation, or a team member’s growth—translates directly to better results and a healthier culture.
