Executive Leadership in Health Care

Since 1995, the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) program has been at the forefront of national leadership training programs for women in academic medicine. The program is recognized by CEOs and deans for developing true leaders who bring high value back to their institutions. With the introduction of the Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) program, we have built upon our fellowship model to include the concepts, tools and skills that will enable women leaders to bring their full potential to health care organizations.

The Executive Leadership in Health Care program is targeted to rising women at the equivalent of the associate or full professor level who are established experts in their domain. Candidates will have a track record of achievement in clinical program development (or other institutional-level activities that mark them as appropriate) and have aspirations to lead at the executive level in the next five years.

Download the 2023-2024 program flyer [PDF]

Download the 2024-2025 program flyer [PDF]

Candidates should be seven years out of training, with an MD or MD-equivalent degree, with:

Program level leadership
Institutional level responsibilities (operational or strategic management)
Aspirations to executive-level health system roles (executive leadership, chief medical officer, chief quality officer)

ELH fellows will have the unique opportunity to work alongside their ELAM colleagues during certain curricular threads.

As an ELH fellow and graduate, you will have the power of the ELAM network to support you — more than 1,300 alumnae in leadership positions at 300 institutions in North America and beyond.

Program Objectives

Upon graduation from ELH fellows will be able to:

Use strategic approaches to financial and resource management that enhance the missions of their organizations.
Enhance their leadership behaviors to effectively address strategic, operational and relational challenges.
Lead and manage change initiatives within complex and dynamic organizations.
Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders in order to build a diverse community of leadership practice that supports personal, professional and organizational effectiveness.

Fees and Additional Costs

ELH at ELAM's program fee is $16,400, which covers in-person dates, distance learning activities throughout the fellowship year, course materials, faculty/facilitators, conference site expenses, continuing education fees, special events and most meals for the fellows.

In addition to the program fee, the fellow or her institution is responsible for travel and lodging during the sessions, and some meals.

2024 Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award

The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM®) and Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) programs are pleased to announce Susan M. Pollart, MD, ELAM ’17, will receive the second annual Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award. The award will be presented during the Leaders Forum at the 2024 ELAM/ELH Spring Session in Philadelphia.

Dr. Pollart is the Ruth E. Murdaugh Professor of Family Medicine, and she leads the Offices of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development in the University of Virginia School of Medicine as senior associate dean. In 2018 she joined the faculty of ELAM and ELH and has served as a Learning Community advisor. She is being honored with the 2024 Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award for her inspirational dedication to the ELAM/ELH programs, her advocacy of the mission and her work to increase ELAM/ELH’s visibility and impact.

The Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award recognizes an individual or individuals who have made a significant and positive impact on the ELAM/ELH community. Recipients demonstrate professionalism, commitment and unwavering dedication to fellows, ELUMs, faculty, staff and/or other community members, inspiring others to use their talents and energy to advance the ELAM/ELH program and make a difference in achieving gender equity in academic medicine and/or hospital systems.

About Laura Lynch: Laura Lynch, who had served as ELAM's program director since 2006, passed away in February 2023. Laura shepherded hundreds of fellows through the program and stayed in close contact with them as they became ELUMs. She was the historian of the program and provided incredible insight. She led with humor and brought laughter and joy to ELAM’s national office. Her passing is a tremendous loss to the program and to our community. This award was created in her honor and in recognition of her commitment to the ELAM community.