Gillette Children's CEO and President Barbara Joers was named a 2021 Most Admired CEO by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ).
The MSPBJ's sixth annual Most Admired CEOs awards recognize the outstanding professional accomplishments and community involvement of the Twin Cities top business leaders at small and middle-market companies.
2021 honorees stemmed from industries including construction, education, health care, manufacturing, information technology and more. These individuals lead metro-area-based organizations that are fast growing, innovative and corporate stewards. Individually, they also are leaders in their industries and communities through board service and volunteerism, according to the MSPBJ. Read a full list of the honorees here.
MSPBJ credited Joers leadership leading a pivot that launched virtual rehababilition therapies for patients who would have otherwise lost access to these vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the reasons she received the honor. Gillette was recognized by the International Hospital Federation and the World Health Organization for embracing new ways of providing care during the pandemic after Joers and her team brainstormed on video calls about how to continue treating patients virtually.
“The team asked, 'What can we do at home, virtually?' so they wouldn’t lose the gains their patients made,“ Joers said. “Some (patients) were at the beginning of their surgical treatment plans. For others, it was maintaining motion and mobility.”
“We were able to help kids across the world, which is really exciting,” Joers said. “If you think about it, it was just a group of staff on Microsoft Teams talking about what can we do and how quick can we do it.”
Joers’ influence goes beyond Gillette Children's. She is also a board member for several organizations.
She said she’s drawn to this advocacy work because bold statements are often made in the industry, which leaves vulnerable populations out.
“When Gillette kids do well, their communities thrive,” Joers said. “We want to bring everybody along to reach their calling, and that takes a lot of external work.”
Joers has a Bachelor of Business of Administration, hospital administration and health care policy, Marymount University; Master in Health Services Management and Policy, focus on acute health care, George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is vice chairwoman, board of trustees, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals; president, board of directors, Gillette Children’s and Gillette Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Read a profile about Joers and her recognition here. You can view a photo gallery of the event honoring the most admired CEOs here.