AWARD Pillar 4: Leadership

Leadership Pillar Team

Dr. Valerie Stone, Dr. Candace Feldman, Dr. Ellen Gravallese, Dr. Maura Iversen, Dr. Gail Kerr, Dr. Grace Wright, and Mr. Tyler Green

Goal

The goal of Pillar 4 is to cultivate a robust group of future leaders from various backgrounds within rheumatology. This will be achieved through targeted leadership training, strategic networking opportunities, and close collaboration with national rheumatology organizations.

Strategies to Achieve Goal

Provide sponsorship and facilitate connections among established leaders in pediatric and adult rheumatology, along with related Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to promising medical students, residents, and early-career rheumatologists. Our aim is to enhance leadership opportunities and leadership role attainment amongst those who have disabilities, are first generation/low income college and medical students, or are from under-resourced communities.
Offer leadership comprehensive training programs through seminars, meetings, and summits, taught by current leaders in rheumatology and other healthcare leaders, to empower participants in developing their leadership skills and advancing their careers.
Assist on the Leadership journey:

Leadership Opportunities & Programs

The American College of Rheumatology's volunteer program allows professionals to serve on boards and committees, enhancing their leadership skills while advancing rheumatology practice and policy. Participants gain essential governance experience and contribute to shaping the field's future.

The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship at Harvard University trains leaders in through mentorship and a focus on policy and advocacy, equipping participants to drive meaningful change.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Executive and Continuing Professional Education (ECPE) program offers a range of courses designed to enhance leadership skills across public health, healthcare management, and policy. Participants gain essential competencies to drive transformative initiatives in their organizations and communities.

The Public Health Leadership Lab enhances leadership skills through hands-on training in critical thinking and collaboration, preparing participants to lead effectively in public health settings.

MIT's Leadership and Innovation program equips participants with skills to drive transformative change through strategic thinking and innovative practices, enhancing their leadership capabilities to navigate organizational challenges.

The National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) trains leaders through advanced research and policy education, emphasizing collaborative approaches to drive impactful change in healthcare.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows program trains mid-career professionals in health policy, enhancing their leadership skills to influence national and state health decision-making through immersive experiences in policy analysis and advocacy.

The Pozen Commonwealth Fund Fellowship at Yale School of Management enhances leadership skills for healthcare professionals through a curriculum focused on strategic problem-solving and collaboration, preparing participants to drive systemic change in health policy.

Online Resources

Click to view a list of resources

Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology

These scholarships introduce residents and students to pediatric rheumatology and support individuals from under-resourced backgrounds in the field through various funding opportunities.

Nominations for ACR committee volunteer positions open in April 2025, offering leadership roles in various rheumatology domains for members, including fellows.

Project LEAD engages medical students with disabilities, first generation/low income college and medical students, individuals from under-resourced communities, and outreach across different geographic areas (e.g., rural and medically underserved communities) through virtual discussions on rheumatology and fellowship preparation, focusing on work-life balance.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) provides various educational and mentorship programs aimed at enhancing research experience and skills across different career stages.

This program offers educational courses aimed at improving engagement and communication with under-resourced patient populations.

Advanced Practice Providers & Allied Health Professionals

This resource offers an introduction to advocacy, including tools for engaging with elected officials and promoting current issues through various platforms.

A comprehensive guide that explores various leadership styles and best practices for occupational therapists, focusing on evidence-based approaches.

A $1,000 scholarship is available for three qualified nursing students associated with rheumatology.

This scholarship awards $2,500 to students pursuing occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant degrees, focusing on leadership and community service.

This award recognizes nurse leaders who meet specific Leadership, Education, Achievement, Dedication (LEAD) criteria through nominations.

A qualitative study examining how intersecting identities impact the leadership development of women who experience individuals who have disabilities, are first generation/low income college and medical students, or are from under-resourced communities in occupational therapy, emphasizing mentorship.

This program supports students pursuing occupational therapy through education, leadership, and networking, featuring monthly meetings and mentorship opportunities.

These 1-hour online courses enhance management skills for PAs and NPs, covering topics like utilization, compliance, and leadership styles.

These awards support enrichment in academic physical therapy leadership, providing funding for the Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership.

A resource listing programs and events aimed at enhancing leadership skills for physical therapists and assistants.

Awards for final-year physical therapy students and faculty pursuing advanced degrees, based on academic excellence and character.

This program aims to recruit and retain students from all cultural legacies and backgrounds in audiology and speech-language pathology, offering educational programming and networking opportunities.

This modular course offers leadership development training for occupational therapists, covering essential topics such as ethics and emotional leadership.

This resource provides a toolkit and insights for women in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of representation and support.

Literary Resources

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Leadership Preparation

(Herminia Ibarra, 2023)

(Bill Burnett, Dave Evans, 2016)

Note: If you need to think deeply about what you want to do as a leader, and how to make the impact you desire, using a “design approach” may be helpful (summarized in Designing Your Life).

(Carla A. Harris, 2009)

Note: Consistently deliver outstanding work and ensure your supervisor is aware of your contributions; invest time in building relationships with colleagues, especially those in higher positions, and when opportunities for promotion arise, seek advocacy from your chief or another leader you've connected with; also, listen to Carla Harris’ TED Talk for further insights.

(Adaira Landry, Resa E. Lewiss, 2024)

(Sophie Williams, 2024)

Note: Glass Cliff describes a phenomenon where a woman or male leader from an under-resourced background is promoted to a high-visibility role during a crisis, often due to prior poor performance, only to be scapegoated and blamed for ongoing issues if the situation doesn't improve.
Listen to Sophie Williams’ TED Talk on the Glass Cliff and read her book for insights on breaking through the Glass Ceiling; the key takeaway is to remain AWARE of the Glass Cliff and approach opportunities with discretion.

(Daniel Goleman, 1998)

Leadership Development (Women-Specific)

(Mónica Bauer, Marty Seldman, Paula Santilli, Jovita Thomas-Williams, 2022)

(Susan MacKenty Brady, Janet Foutty, Lynn Perry Wooten, 2022)

(Linda Babcock, Sara Laschever, 2008)

Note: When you receive an offer, take at least one night to review it, ideally with trusted advisors, and negotiate not just salary but also the resources, assistance, and budget necessary for success in your new role; consider seeking coaching and reading Ask For It

(Sally Helgesen, Marshall Goldsmith, 2019)

(Tara Mohr, 2015)

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