Association of Women Surgeons

This program is an in depth national program that has been developed for women academic faculty who demonstrate the greatest potential for assuming executive leadership positions within the next 5 years at academic health centers. The principal goals of the ELAM Program are:

1. to increase the success of senior women faculty in seeking leadership positions at academic health care centers by: enhancing their knowledge and skills, especially for the changing management requirements in academic health centers, broadening their perspective, validating their competencies and expanding their network of colleagues; as well as
    
2. to increase the number of women leaders in academic health care centers by enhancing the visibility of women leaders, expanding the number of women mentors and serving as a resource for identifying women leaders.

The ELAM program requires a commitment by the attendee and her institution. Your Dean or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) needs to nominate you for this course. Applications are sent out early in the fall and are due in February of each year. The application requires a letter from your Dean or CEO, your direct supervisor, and a senior officer or colleague in your institution who can comment on your current responsibilities and future leadership potential. You also have to write answers to some personal questions regarding your goals and experience. Your Dean’s Office should pay the tuition. You should be at least an Associate Professor with a recent leadership role or looking to secure one soon. The course runs 8 days in the fall, independent assignments in the winter, 9 days in the spring, and postprogram projects the subsequent summer. Attendance at the AAMC is also expected that year. Your Dean will need to attend with you for part of the spring course. The class consists of approximately 40 women from all disciplines -- both PhDs and MDs. Many of the attendees desire to be Associate Deans, Deans or Chairs. The talent of the individuals in the class is amazing. I truly liked everyone in the class. Many women leaders come to talk to the class on topics in medicine and in leadership. The curriculum incorporates three major themes: traditional MBA, emerging issues in academic health, and personal professional development. Topics include budgets, stress management, dressing for success, conflict management, and exercises to determine what kind of leader you are. Personality tests are given too.

This was a superb course and taught me a lot about myself. I learned many strategies for being a Division Chief, Chair or Dean. I met a lot of great women along the way as well.

For More Information:

MCP Hahnemann University
The Gatehouse, 3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1191
(215) 842-6041
(215) 842-1041 Fax 
elam@drexel.edu