Dame Lesley Regan DBE

Health Equity Award Winner

Dame Lesley Regan DBE

Transforming Women’s Healthcare & Championing Health Equity

England’s first female Health Ambassador, Dame Lesley Regan DBE, was honoured with the Gilead Health Equity Award at the 72nd Women of the Year Lunch and Awards for her outstanding, lifelong contribution to women’s healthcare. As a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and an NHS clinician for over 40 years, Lesley has consistently led national efforts to elevate women’s health, challenge long-standing inequalities, and ensure that women’s voices remain central to research, policy, and clinical practice.

Pioneering Clinical Care & National Advocacy

Dame Lesley’s groundbreaking career has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of women’s healthcare across the UK:

  • England’s First Women’s Health Ambassador: Appointed in 2022 to lead national initiatives raising the profile of women’s health and ensuring equitable healthcare policy.
  • Recurrent Miscarriage Service: Founded the unit at St Mary’s Hospital in London in 1992, growing it into the largest specialist service of its kind in the world.
  • Transformative Clinical Impact: Pioneered research and clinical treatments for recurrent miscarriage, transforming outcomes for thousands of women and their families.
  • Championing Healthcare Access: Advocates tirelessly for equitable access to specialist services, greater awareness, and improved healthcare outcomes across England.

In the Winner’s Words:

“I am truly honoured to receive the Health Equity Award. For too long, many aspects of women’s health have been overlooked or simply not prioritised in the way they should be. This is why I have spent so much of my career striving to address those inequalities and improve outcomes for women and their families. This award is a reminder of how far we have come, but also of the responsibility we all share to ensure that each and every woman, wherever she lives, whatever her background and whatever her circumstances, has access to the care, information and support she deserves. I am so proud to be a part of that continuing effort.” — Dame Lesley Regan DBE, Women’s Health Ambassador for England

Chair’s Tribute:

“Dame Lesley Regan DBE has transformed women’s health, challenging long-standing inequalities and ensuring that women’s voices are heard in healthcare, research and policy. Her lifelong commitment to improving the lives of women and challenging the inequalities they face has left an enduring legacy. Lesley’s remarkable tenacity, humanity and unwavering pursuit of justice embody everything the Health Equity Award stands for. It is an honour and real privilege to recognise her achievements.” — Diane Kenwood, Chair, Women of the Year

Sponsor’s Tribute:

“Dame Lesley Regan is a powerful champion of women’s health, combining clinical leadership with tireless advocacy to ensure women’s health receives the attention and priority it deserves. Her leadership has helped drive meaningful and lasting change in women’s healthcare, creating an important legacy for generations to come. At Gilead, we are proud to recognise her extraordinary contribution with the Health Equity Award.” — Lisa O’Neill, Executive Director, Public Affairs (Australia, Canada and Europe), Gilead