Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Medical Centers

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

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.

The principal method of instruction in the program is the case method, a technique pioneered and refined at the Harvard Business School. Most of the cases present actual problem situations familiar to physicians in administrative positions at academic medical centers.

The case method confronts the participant with an actual management problem, halted at a point where decisions must be made, and empowers the participant to choose a course of action.

Participants go through a three-step study process. First, participants study each case independently. Then they meet in small discussion groups to test their individual analysis against those of their peers. Lastly, the entire class discusses the case, with the professor as a catalyst and guide. The professor points out considerations the class has overlooked; elicits from participants the lessons of experience; pursues each line of investigation to its conclusion; and finally, summarizes the discussion and draws out the major lessons it has taught.

Assigned readings and guest lecturers supplement and augment the use of cases. In addition, an important part of the learning process occurs during the informal exchange of insights and experience among participants, and between participants and faculty.

*Please note that the agenda below is based on the program start date you selected at the top of the page. If you selected a start date of March 12, 2027, for the hybrid program, please note that the sessions below only show the on-campus components.

Theodore J. Witherell (Program Director)

Primary Faculty

Current faculty, subject to change

This program also contributes to the Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization, among others. While each program can be taken independently, completing multiple courses in our portfolio earns the Certificate of Specialization.

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. 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.  

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.