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About the Program

October 4 – 16, 2026

This 2-week on-site program brings together physicians in administrative positions in academic medical centers to Harvard’s Longwood Campus for an intensive and systematic study of the critical leadership and management issues facing academic medical centers.

On-Site
Leadership and Management
Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization

Program Overview

For over 40 years, Harvard has conducted Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Medical Centers, an executive development program designed specifically to help physicians become the leaders needed by both their organizations and patients in today’s complex health care landscape. This program is designed to serve a wide array of physician leaders. The on-site version of this course convenes medical directors and chiefs of divisions from academic medical centers together with an interdisciplinary faculty team for two weeks of intensive and systematic study of the critical leadership and management issues faced by physicians in administrative positions and academic medical centers. The program curriculum is organized around the following interrelated courses taught by esteemed Harvard faculty:

  • Health Care Policy
  • Competitive Strategy
  • Financial Analysis
  • Operations Management
  • Organizational Issues
  • Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
  • Leadership

Upcoming Program Details

The program’s overall objective is to enhance and develop participants’ leadership abilities and effectiveness. This is accomplished by providing an increased understanding of their responsibilities as leaders, perspective on the critical leadership and management issues they face, and understanding and awareness of concepts and techniques relevant to management. 

Upon completion of the program, participants will have gained:

  • Increased understanding of the responsibilities and tasks of leaders in complex institutions
  • Broader appreciation of the challenges and changes occurring in academic medical centers and the implications for their own institution and service or area of responsibility
  • New perspectives on issues they face currently and on those which arise in the future
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts and techniques in several key management disciplines
  • New methods to analyze problems and an enhanced capacity to identify the critical questions
  • Greater effectiveness as unit and institutional leaders in formulating and implementing initiatives and managing change

Classes and discussion groups are scheduled for Monday to Saturday. Preparation for classes averages four hours a day. Registration is scheduled for 3-4PM EST on the first Sunday. The following Sunday is free.  

Participants are asked to free themselves of professional and family responsibilities for the period of the program so that full attention can be devoted to the immersive experience.  

Potential participants include individuals in positions such as chief of a clinical division within a major clinical department, vice chair of a clinical department, medical director, and associate dean for clinical affairs.  

Participants will be selected in a manner ensuring an appropriate mix and balance in the class.

Credits & Logistics

The priority deadline for completed applications is May 1, 2026.  

Applications received after the deadline will be considered based on availability. Applicants who are admitted to the program are not guaranteed a space until the program fee has been paid and may be placed on a waitlist if the program reaches capacity. 

Because this is a full-time, residential program and because of the cumulative and interactive nature of the educational experience, applicants who are accepted must plan and agree to attend and participate in all sessions of the program.

How to Apply

For your convenience you may review the list of application questions for the program. We advise applicants to prepare their answers in a word document and then cut and paste them into the online application in order to avoid losing their work in the unlikely event of a technical difficulty. Once your answers have been prepared and you are ready to continue with the application process please click the “apply now” button above. Thank you for your cooperation, we look forward to reviewing your application.

All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation upon completion of the program.

This program also contributes to the three-program Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization. Click here for more information.

October 2026

Please check back for updated information.

This program does not offer continuing education credit.

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