Dr. Bounloth Sodaluck Wins Women of the Future Southeast Asia 2025
Image courtesy of the Women of the Future Organisation
Friends Without a Border and Lao Friends Hospital for Children are proud to celebrate Dr. Bounloth (Pom) Sodaluck as the Winner of the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Awards 2025 - Professions Category.
Although Dr. Pom was unable to attend the ceremony in Singapore, her award was graciously accepted on her behalf by H.E. Melanie Barlow, UK Ambassador to Lao PDR. A gesture that adds further honor to this remarkable recognition. This is also a moment of national pride for Laos, as Dr. Pom is the first Lao national to win in this category and only the second Lao recipient in the award’s history.
The Women of the Future Awards is a UK-founded initiative that recognizes exceptional young female leaders across the region who are shaping a brighter future through their work and impact. This prestigious platform highlights individuals whose achievements inspire progress in their communities and beyond.
This year, the judges were impressed by Dr. Pom’s extraordinary contribution to healthcare in Laos, especially her leadership in establishing Northern Laos’ first Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Lao Friends Hospital for Children.
As LFHC’s Medical Education Director, her influence is shaping the next generation of young clinicians and the future of child health in Laos, making the title Women of the Future especially fitting and truly deserved.
For Dr. Pom, this award is a meaningful recognition of years of hard work and dedication. For us at Friends Without a Border and LFHC, her win highlights the incredible talent and leadership emerging from Laos. It reinforces the importance of investing in local capacity to build a sustainable healthcare future.
We could not be more proud of Dr. Pom. Her achievement is not only personal, it is a victory for Laos, for every child, every family, and every young doctor she continues to inspire.
