**Celebrating Excellence: Dr. Kimberly Span Honored in *Inside Business* 2024 Women in Business Feature**

December 2024 brings outstanding recognition for the Hampton Roads community as *Inside Business: The Hampton Roads Business Journal* names Dr. Kimberly Span among its distinguished “Women in Business” honorees. This annual feature celebrates women across industries making a significant impact in their professions and communities. Dr. Span, a respected medical leader and advocate for hospital medicine, joins this esteemed group, shining a spotlight on her remarkable contributions to healthcare in Virginia Beach.

### A Leader in Hospital Medicine

As the medical staff president and chief hospitalist for Sentara Medical Group’s Hospital Medicine program at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, Dr. Span personifies excellence in leadership and patient care. In her dual roles, she bridges administrative responsibilities with hands-on medical practice, playing a pivotal part in improving care delivery for one of Virginia Beach’s largest healthcare providers.

Dr. Span’s leadership is instrumental in enhancing patient outcomes, fostering collaboration among healthcare teams, and ensuring that Sentara’s hospital medicine program adheres to the highest standards. She leads with purpose, balancing the complexities of managing hospital operations while remaining a compassionate advocate for patients and families.

### Recognizing the Impact of Leadership

The *Inside Business* “Women in Business” feature is a hallmark of the publication, honoring accomplished women who break barriers, inspire change, and elevate their fields. Dr. Span’s inclusion reflects her years of dedicated service to the healthcare sector, where she is known as a trusted mentor, advocate, and leader. Her recognition is more than a personal milestone—it is a celebration of the broader role women play in transforming traditionally male-dominated fields like healthcare management.

The spotlight also brings attention to the significant yet often underappreciated work of hospitalists. These unsung leaders manage complex patient cases, guide transitions of care, and coordinate interdisciplinary teams, ensuring seamless and effective treatment. Dr. Span’s work at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital has had a direct and positive impact on the local community by providing high-quality, patient-centered care.

### Leading with Compassion and Vision

Throughout her career, Dr. Span has demonstrated that successful leadership extends beyond professional accolades. Her journey exemplifies the values of dedication, perseverance, and empathy—qualities that resonate both within her healthcare team and the wider community. Whether managing hospital operations or mentoring young professionals, she consistently leads with a vision centered on compassion and collaboration.

Recognition from *Inside Business* signifies more than achievements in medicine; it also amplifies Dr. Span’s role as a role model. Aspiring healthcare professionals, particularly women, can look to her for inspiration as they navigate paths toward leadership. Her accomplishments serve as a powerful reminder that equity, opportunity, and representation are vital at every level of the healthcare system.

### A Broader Conversation

Dr. Span’s work aligns with the ongoing conversation about the importance of equity and accessibility in healthcare leadership. By celebrating women like Dr. Span, *Inside Business* highlights the human side of leadership—the dedication to improve not just services, but also lives. Her recognition underscores the community-wide impact of leaders who foster innovation and care in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Her contributions also extend beyond Sentara’s walls, symbolizing a commitment to the broader city of Virginia Beach. By ensuring that hospital medicine remains accessible, tailored, and innovative, Dr. Span’s leadership ensures a healthier and more resilient future for her community.

### Looking Ahead

Dr. Kimberly Span’s recognition in the 2024 *Women in Business* feature serves as a well-deserved acknowledgment of her impact as a healthcare leader, mentor, and advocate. Her ability to seamlessly balance professional excellence with compassion is what makes her a standout figure in the Hampton Roads community and beyond.

As Virginia Beach celebrates Dr. Span’s achievements this December, it’s clear her story represents more than a single recognition—it’s a testament to the power of leadership to shape lives. Whether through fostering better systems of care or empowering future leaders, Dr. Span exemplifies how purpose-driven work can create ripples of positive change.

Congratulations, Dr. Kimberly Span, on this remarkable honor. Your leadership continues to inspire the healthcare profession and the lives you serve daily.