Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) and Health Care (ELH)
Overview
UT Southwestern (including its affiliated health care institutions) is proud to support faculty growth through the nationally recognized Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) and the Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) programs. Both programs are open to all qualified faculty members, regardless of gender. We may nominate up to two candidates for each program.
If selected, our candidates will participate in a year-long intense curriculum focused on leadership effectiveness, financial strategies, and organizational dynamics.
About ELAM and ELH
- ELAM offers an intensive one-year fellowship of leadership training with extensive coaching, networking and mentoring opportunities. The program develops and connects successful professionals so they can confidently lead academic health care into the future.
- ELH is designed to focus on the unique needs of developing healthcare leaders. Mid-career level leaders will develop their executive skills to bring their full potential to health care organizations. ELH and ELAM have shared curriculum components that are offered in parallel.
- 2026-2027 ELAM/ELH Internal Nomination and Selection Process
The call for applications will be announced July 29, 2025. Chairs, Center Directors, and Health System Leaders are welcome to nominate their candidates by August 28, 2025. Because we are limited to nominate only two candidates for ELAM and two for ELH, each department/center/health system should only nominate one candidate, unless with prior permission.
A subset of candidates will be interviewed virtually by the Internal ELAM/ELH Selection Committee and asked to submit their preliminary plan for the Institutional Action Project. The Committee’s recommendations will be reviewed by The Executive Leadership Team. The Office of the Provost and Dean will notify the nominating departments and their nominees by September 29, 2025.
NOTE: Faculty members interested in attending ELAM or ELH should discuss their plans to apply with their Department Chair/Center Director/Health System leadership. If approved, candidates should work with their leadership to complete the below internal application components.
- Internal Application Components
Applications are to be submitted, in a single .pdf file, by the candidate's Department Chair/Center Director/Health System Leader via FacDev@utsouthwestern.edu and Helen.Yin@UTSouthwestern.edu by August 28, 2025.
Internal application components include:
- Nomination letter from a direct supervisor (typically Department Chair/Center Director/Health System Leader)
- A one-page statement of interest by the nominee:
- Briefly describe your background, professional/career goals, and the reasons for seeking nomination to ELAM/ELH.
- Also provide a title for your potential Institutional Action Project and the name(s) of the mentor(s) who will guide your project.
- A brief (one-page) 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. Also include a list of formal and informal leadership development training internal and external to UT Southwestern.
- A current CV.
Learn more about the ELAM/ELH application and preview the application questions.
- Eligibility
Faculty who have been an Associate Professor for at least two years (more is preferred) or Professor (less than five years in rank) are encouraged to apply. The applicant must have an official leadership role in their academic department/center or health system.
- Who Pays for Attending ELAM/ELH
The ELAM/ELH program fee is approximately $19,600. In addition, there are travel and lodging costs of approximately $8,000. Learn more about ELAM's costs. The selected candidate's tuition and expenses will be covered through a cost-share mechanism by multiple entities. These include the Office of the Provost and the Dean, the Health System, and nominating departments/centers.
- ELAM/ELH Attendees
Nisa Kubiliun, M.D.
Associate Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Ambulatory Services
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (Liver and Digestive Diseases)ELH Class of 2026
Rinarani Sanghavi, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
ELH Class of 2025
“Through ELH I learnt strategies to navigate the complex matrix of healthcare administration as well as ways healthcare systems can remain nimble in the current and future climate. The program opened doors to collaboration in the healthcare leadership space and created deep, meaningful friendships."
Toral Patel, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery
ELH Class of 2025
"My ELH experience allowed me to connect with an incredible group of academic leaders, with diverse backgrounds and leadership styles. This opportunity, coupled with didactic teaching focused on Health System strategy and dynamics, has significantly impacted my perspective on healthcare leadership."
Melissa Kirkwood, M.D.
Professor & Division Chief of Vascular Surgery
ELH Class of 2025
"ELH was a truly valuable leadership experience. The women I met were inspiring and encouraged me to stretch myself beyond previous barriers."
Susan Matulevicius, M.D.
Associate Dean of Faculty Wellness
Professor of Internal MedicineELAM Class of 2025
"ELAM helped to level-set where I am as leader, challenge me to become an even better one, and to network and learn from others. I was humbled to be learning with incredible women from throughout the country who are the current and future leaders of academic medicine."
Vineeta Mittal, M.D.
Professor & Division Chief of Pediatrics
ELH Class of 2024
"Attending ELH significantly enhanced my executive leadership skills, deepening my expertise in strategic thinking, financial stewardship, and comprehensive 360-degree healthcare leadership. It also expanded my network of accomplished healthcare executives. These skills continue to inform and elevate my work daily."
Lina Chalak, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics, Division Chief of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
ELAM Class of 2024
"Participating in ELAM increased my confidence as a leader, my capacity to deal with conflict, my ability to manage complex dynamic changes within the organization. It is like seeing the whole health care system with different glasses. I would not have even applied to or excelled in my job as chief of service if it wasn’t for our institutional investment in me for this leadership course. Best it is the gift that keeps giving, and I am excited to give back growing our ELAM team."
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."
Shawna Nesbitt, M.D., M.S.
Vice President and Chief Institutional Opportunity Officer
Professor of Internal MedicineELAM 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."
Helen Yin, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of 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 basic science research focus. It has launched my current career."
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."