Marilyn Aziz, an Egyptian-Jordanian healthcare professional and soon-to-be Doctor of Physical Therapy, received the Most Inspiring Healthcare Leader award at the Impact Innovation Summit & Excellence Awards 2025 in Riyadh.
Her win highlighted more than academic milestones. It was a celebration of her determination and a recognition of her work to make healthcare more inclusive. A win for her continued work in physical therapy and cultural healing.
A Journey Built on Resilience
Marilyn’s healthcare journey started in 2017. She had survived a life-altering traumatic brain injury that doctors feared might end her ability to walk or study again. Rather than slow her down, that experience became the foundation of her purpose. She returned to school, regained her academic standing, and went on to earn honors for both scholarship and leadership at Bridgewater State University.
Her background as an Egyptian-Jordanian immigrant also shaped her vision. Navigating both cultural and medical systems in the United States, she understood the challenges faced by patients who struggle to find care that respects their identity and lived experiences. That insight has informed every step of her work, from classroom research to hands-on patient care.
Today, Marilyn is a certified Physical Therapy Aide, CNA, and EMT. But her work doesn’t end there. She strives to share her experience in hopes to help others. Sometimes through presentations at conferences, sometimes by mentoring students. What makes her stand out is the way she translates hardship into advocacy, showing others that health leadership is as much about empathy as it is about expertise.
Shaping a New Vision for Healthcare
Marilyn is now looking at the bigger picture. She wants to create inclusive, trauma-informed, and accessible physical therapy programs for the overlooked communities.
It’s not all talk. She was recognized by Bridgewater State University for her research involving Egyptian and American family structures. Marilyn also opened avenues for discussion around underserved cultures in healthcare by organizing a Latinx Heritage Festival.. Oftentimes, she also helps raise awareness of inclusive healthcare practices for immigrant and first-gen populations. Something, she has had immense experience in.
Marilyn is not just a practitioner in training. She remains a role model whose work blends resilience, cultural understanding, and professional skill.
What Winning Means to Her
After receiving the award in Riyadh, Marilyn reflected on the recognition:
“I’m grateful for this recognition. This means more than recognition; it symbolizes the collective strength of every girl who’s been told ‘you can’t’ and dares to prove them wrong,” she said.
She went on to explain how this win helps her achieve her long-term goal of leading international public health collaborations rooted in physical therapy access. “Recognition through an award could expand my platform, attract partnerships for future nonprofit health programs, and support my vision of global rehabilitation equity,” she added.
Global Recognition for Leaders Driving Change
The Impact Innovation Summit & Excellence Awards 2025 brought together leaders from across industries. By honoring achievers like Marilyn, the event highlighted contributions that bring lasting impact to both communities and professions. Some of the recognized projects included life changing ones from industries ranging from technology and education to healthcare.
Marilyn’s recognition as Most Inspiring Healthcare Leader shows how important inclusivity is in medicine today. As a survivor and immigrant, her work has always centered around multicultural and trauma-informed.
Pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is another way Marilyn continues her mission. Hers is a story of resilience and determination. And her win at the event is proof that a stubborn heart can bring change and inclusion can strengthen healthcare systems. Her story doesn’t end here, though. It’s only just starting.
