Josie Abboud Recognized as One of Modern Healthcare’s Top Women Leaders

Methodist Health System is proud to announce that Josie Abboud, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital, has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the Top Women Leaders for 2023. 

Abboud was the only health care leader from Nebraska to be named and was joined on the list by women leaders from Apple, Google, Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, Yale New Haven Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System.

This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors women executives from all sectors of the health care industry for their contributions to care delivery improvement, health equity, policy and gender equity in health care leadership.

“This recognition of Josie by Modern Healthcare comes as no surprise to those who work alongside her every day,” said Steve Goeser, president and CEO of Methodist Health System. “In health care, creativity takes many forms, and Josie embraces this in others and herself. Especially as it relates to new and different ways to communicate and engage others, from medical staff members to service staff. Her compassion is demonstrated in how she communicates and interacts with employees at every level by engaging them in conversations and learning about their personal lives. With nearly 3,500 employees, this is no small feat. She greets everyone with respect and empathy. Her passion for our patients is obvious.”

Abboud joined Methodist in 1996 as a critical care staff nurse. She transitioned into a variety of leadership roles, including service executive, vice president and executive vice president and chief operating officer before being named president and CEO in 2018.

In 2020, she was recognized as a recipient of The Institute for Career Advancement Needs (ICAN) Leadership Award. She also received Creighton University’s Believe & Achieve Award and the Alumni Merit Award. In 2018, Abboud was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as a top woman hospital and health system leader to know. In 2017, she was the ACHE Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award recipient and the American Cancer Society National St. George Award winner.  

She is an active community leader and has served on several boards, including Creighton University, Nebraska Hospital Association, Creighton Prep, Marian High School, Hospice House, American Cancer Society, Visiting Nurses Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Community Health Charities and Child Saving Institute.

Abboud is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the Medical Group Management Association. She has served as the director at large of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

“The women named to our 2023 class of the Top Women Leaders in Healthcare are helping guide their organizations and improve the communities they call home,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “Internally, they are innovators and team builders advancing their organizations. They are mentoring coworkers while inspiring others to pursue careers in the industry. And externally, they are forging coalitions to improve access to care for all patients. The women we’ve selected this year, from hundreds of nominations, are leading important advancements in the nation’s health care system.”

The profiles of all the honorees are featured in the Feb. 20, 2023, issue of Modern Healthcare magazine and online at ModernHealthcare.com/topwomenexecs.