“The chance to be self-reflective and to learn about systems organizations from a global perspective has been tremendous. The ELAM program has empowered me to look forward and to expand my horizons in ways that I never imagined.”
- Lisa Staiano-Coico, Ph.D., Provost, Temple University, ELAM Fellow 2002-03
Applications are now Closed. Applications for the 2011-12 class year will be available in November of 2010 and will be due in January of 2011.
ELAM is a unique leadership development program designed to increase the numbers of women faculty in senior leadership positions, as executives and change agents, in schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Public Health. Established in 1995, the program now has hundreds of Fellows and alumnae in institutions across the continent, who have completed an intensive program focused on strategic finance, organizational dynamics and personal leadership effectiveness. Lessons are grounded in institutional contributions and supported by mentoring from the institution’s most senior executives, peers, and faculty.
ELAM’s comprehensive curriculum combines self-study, group learning, and in-residence study of management and leadership with application of leadership competencies in each Fellow’s institution. Institutional leadership development is supported by executive mentoring partnerships that contribute to institutional improvement and to growth of the individual Fellow’s leadership potential.
Nomination, Application, and Selection
A school may nominate up to two (2) candidates and must be prepared to support however many of its applicants are accepted. Nominations can be made only by the medical, dental, or public health school Dean or the Chief Executive Officer of the candidate’s academic health center. Both the qualities of the candidate and the commitment of her institution are considered during the selection process.
A strong Nomination provides evidence of a clear commitment to developing the candidate for formal or informal advancement and leadership roles within the five years following ELAM. This includes:
- A commitment to provide the necessary time for the candidate to fully participate in the ELAM program and to complete her assignments.
- Financial support for the program fees and travel expenses.
- Salary continuation during the ELAM fellowship period.
- A professional development plan for the Fellow. The plan should include mentoring by the Dean, Chair or other senior administrator and opportunities to help the Fellow develop a broader school or university view of leadership roles and strategies.
- Dean and senior staff assistance with assignments, especially leadership interviews and financial trends analyses.
- Dean’s commitment to attend the Forum on Emerging Issues with the Fellow.
A strong Candidate Application presents evidence for leadership potential. This includes:
- Information about professional and educational background. Candidates must hold the rank of associate or full professor and have had administrative experience in personnel and budget management.
- Description of leadership experiences that have included strategic risk-taking.
- A track record of formal and informal professional development, including mentoring and program participation outside her specialty field.
- Rationale for seeking leadership roles and a realistic assessment of likely internal and external leadership opportunities over the five years following the fellowship program.
- Two recommendations (in addition to the Dean/CEO nomination) from senior colleagues that describe her leadership potential. If the Dean/CEO is not the candidate's direct supervisor, one recommendation must come from the direct supervisor.
- Candidates must be at the associate professor level or higher and hold a faculty position at either a U.S. or Canadian medical, dental or public health school (see our FAQs for more information). They must be nominated by either the dean of their medical, dental or public health school or the CEO of their academic health center.
Benefits of Supporting an ELAM Fellow:
- Fellow returns with new skills and knowledge and a more global understanding of academic health centers and their challenges.
- Fellow is eager to apply her new leadership and management knowledge to the challenges facing the institution.
- Fellow’s Action Project advances a goal or addresses a need of the institution.
- Institution gains access to a national network of skilled women leaders who bring fresh perspectives to the challenges facing AHCs.
- Dean/CEO or designee participates in the Forum on Emerging Issues, where s/he has an opportunity to meet with other AHC leaders and explore a new strategy or methodology pertinent to AHC leadership.
Details about the program, curriculum, faculty and more can be found in the About ELAM section of this website. We encourage you to contact one of our alumnae for a firsthand perspective on the program.
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact the ELAM office using the contact information below.
ELAM® is a core program of the Institute for Women's Health and Leadership® at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.
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