Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM)

The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (ELAM) prepares senior women faculty members at schools of medicine, dentistry, and public health to effect sustained positive change as institutional leaders.

ELAM offers an intensive yearlong program of executive education, personal leadership assessments/coaching, networking, and mentoring activities.

The Drexel University-based program targets senior women faculty at the associate or full professor level who demonstrate the greatest potential for assuming executive leadership roles at academic health centers within the next five years.

ELAM is the only national and longitudinal leadership program for women faculty in schools of medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy. Its nearly 1,300 graduates hold positions at 300 institutions around the country. 75% of women deans of medical schools are alumnae of ELAM.

In 2022, ELAM launched a partner program, Executive Leadership in Healthcare (ELH) to focus on the unique needs of aspiring executive leaders in health care. Learn more about ELAM and ELH.

2024-2025 ELAM/ELH Class Nomination and Internal Selection Process

We are seeking competitive nominations of UT Southwestern faculty for acceptance into the 2024-2025 ELAM or ELH class. Chairs and Center Directors are welcome to nominate their faculty by September 29, 2023. Because we are limited to two nominations per institution, each department/center should only nominate one candidate. We will select the finalists through an Internal Selection process. Nominations will be reviewed by the Internal ELAM/ELH Selection Committee and then presented to the Executive Leadership Team for final review and decision. Selected UT Southwestern nominee(s) and their chairs/center directors will be notified by the Academic Affairs and Provost Office on October 27, 2023.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a faculty member interested in ELAM or ELH, discuss your plans to apply with your Department Chair/Center Director. If your Chair/Center Director supports your application, then please work with your leadership to complete the below Application Components. Applications are to be submitted, in a single pdf file, by your Chair/Center Director to Marissa.Hansen@UTSouthwestern.edu and Helen.Yin@UTSouthwestern.edu by September 29, 2023.
Application Components
The Department Chair/Center Director’s approved nominee must compile into a single pdf file the following application materials for the UT Southwestern internal selection review committee. The completed application packet should be submitted by the nominating Department Chair/Center Director to Marissa.Hansen@UTSouthwestern.edu and Helen.Yin@UTSouthwestern.edu by September 29, 2023.
- Nomination letter from a direct supervisor (typically Department Chair/Center Director)
- A one-page statement of interest by the nominee:
- A brief description of relevant academic accomplishments, demonstrated leadership competencies, and a realistic assessment of likely internal and external leadership opportunities over the five years following the fellowship program.
- A current CV in the standardized UTSW P&T format.
- A list of all formal and informal leadership development training including mentoring and/or program participation inside and outside of your specialty/discipline field, and any other professional development training (internal and external to UT Southwestern).
Learn more about the ELAM application and preview the application questions.
Eligibility

Women faculty who have been an Associate Professor for at least two years (preferably more) or Professor (preferably less than five-six years in rank). The applicants must have an official leadership role.
Who Pays for Attending ELAM/ELH

The ELAM/ELH program fee is $16,400 per candidate. In addition, there are travel and lodging costs of approximately $325/day. Learn more about ELAM's costs. The selected candidate's expenses will largely be covered by the Office of the Provost and the Dean. The department/center will cover a small fraction of the cost.
ELAM Alumnae

Helen Yin, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Women's Careers
Professor of Physiology
ELAM Class of 2006
"ELAM training has great impact on my career, in that it enabled me to look beyond my then-narrow focus on scientific research to topics beyond my immediate research focus.”

Robin Jarrett, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
ELAM Class of 2006
"ELAM promoted my understanding of evolving strategic change, outside an executive leadership role, while maintaining my well-established commitment to advancing evidenced based practices."

Shawna Nesbitt, M.D.
Vice President and Chief Institutional Opportunity Officer
Professor of Internal Medicine
ELAM Class of 2013
"I met women leaders from all over the country. The collaboration was amazing, and the friendships extended well beyond the participation in ELAM. The professional development you will gain is infinitely helpful in many aspects of academic leadership. I use these skills nearly every day."

Nora Gimpel, M.D.
Professor of Family and Community Medicine
ELAM Class of 2021
"Through exceptional ELAM coaching, mentoring, and networking, I gained skills to foster a culture that embraces the invaluable opportunity to expose learners to a population health approach to health care and build upon the traditional approach to medical education and training."

Lina Chalak, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry
ELAM Class of 2023

Vineeta Mittal, M.D.
Professor & Division Chief of Pediatrics
ELAM Class of 2023