Edith P. Allen named a rising star woman leader in medicine

Edith P. Allen, MD, MBA, a clinical professor in the Department of Child Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, was named one of Women We Admire’s Rising Star Women Leaders in Medicine for 2025. 

The award honors mentors who embody innovation, integrity and a commitment to excellence when it comes to patient care and medical advancements. Women We Admire is a professional networking organization of executives and leaders across the United States and Canada. 

Allen said she was humbled and honored by the recognition.

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“Women have to really fight to take care of our families and to develop professionally, so I’m really appreciative of this recognition,” Allen said. “I’m proud to accept it and to serve as an example to other women, especially Hispanic women and Mexican immigrants, to be an inspiration for them to continue working and advancing their careers and supporting their families. It might be a more difficult or longer route to actually feel accomplished as a professional, but you’ll get there if you are passionate enough.”

Allen joined the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix in 2007. She grew up in Reynosa, Mexico, as one of four children to a musician father and a mother who was a hospital cook. As a kid, Allen dreamed of being an astronaut, but instead she went to medical school at Universidad Mexico Americana del Norte in her hometown. She came to the United States for her pediatric residency training. She said her patients’ parents  helped her learn English.

“I really appreciate those parents, those people that helped me through my journey,” she said. “I would stop them and say, ‘Can you please pronounce that word again?’”

Allen, who is medical director of Community and State Health Arizona at UnitedHealthcare, said she was drawn to pediatrics because it gives her a chance to shape healthy habits that last a lifetime. She uses an example from her own life to illustrate to her students the power they have to impact future generations. Allen said she remembers a group of dental students who came to her school to teach the children how to brush properly.

“This is what I taught my children, and this is what I taught my patients,” she said. “I think that the impact is just tremendous because you can help the parents, really take them to the right course and to do better, especially with our underserved populations.”

Because of her upbringing, Allen said she can relate to the uninsured and underserved populations. She is a mother of four, including one transgender child, and said another population she is passionate about helping is the LGBTQ+ community.

“We have to be more supportive and very respectful to everyone, even if we don't align politically or theologically,” she said. “We need to show understanding, to show people that they’re loved and supported.”