Apply for the 2025-2026 cohort by 5 p.m., February 14, 2025

A structured, in-depth, 9-month program for Division and Section Chiefs to build, apply, practice, and refine leadership and management skills.

Members of the WashU Medicine Pivotal Leaders Program participate in a group learning exercise with flip charts during a program session.
Members of the WashU Medicine Pivotal Leaders Program participate in a group learning exercise with flip charts during a program session.

Division Chiefs & Section Heads hold pivotal leadership roles in the medical school – directly impacting the quality of faculty careers, learner experiences, operational efficiencies, climate and culture. As such, it is imperative that we invest in this group of leaders to ensure their success.

This comprehensive leadership development program blends tactical and leadership skill development to provide necessary training, tools, frameworks, and guidance to support pivotal leaders’ effectiveness – with the ultimate objective of ensuring WashU Medicine leaders are equipped to execute their responsibilities at the highest level. These leaders require an extensive array of skills and expertise, including:

Blending tactical and leadership skill development to advance the leadership and management skills, this program has been designed to develop the leadership and management skills of pivotal leaders at Washington University School of Medicine.

About the Program

This is a 9-month, cohort-based practical learning journey with a combination of in-person sessions supplemented by 360o evaluation and 6 hours of virtual 1:1 executive coaching.

Eligibility

This program is available to WashU Medicine faculty who currently hold positions of Division Chief or Section Heads. Prospective cohort members must have been in this position at least one year prior to the start of the program (by or before September 12, 2025).

Key Skills & Topics

  • Self-Leadership
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Finances
  • Faculty & Staff Management
  • Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Coaching Skills
  • Coaching
  • Change Management
  • Leading for Diversity and Inclusion
  • And more . . .
The inaugural cohort of the WashU Medicine Pivotal Leaders Program gathers on Launch Day with School of Medicine leaders.

Dates

  • September 12, 2025
  • October 23, 2025
  • November 12, 2025
  • December 16, 2025
  • January 14, 2026 (Morning only)
  • January 28, 2026
  • February 11, 2026
  • March 10, 2026
  • April 8, 2026
  • May 8, 2026 (Afternoon only)

Want to Apply?

Submit the following to medfacultyoffice@wustl.edu by 5 p.m., on February 14, 2025:

  • Personal Statement outlining rationale for pursuing this training and clear commitment to attending all sessions (≤750 words).
  • CV
  • Department Head Letter of Support (must include the following commitment statement: “I commit to providing protected time and duty release as needed to allow the applicant to attend all program sessions.”
  • A completed application is required.

Have Questions?

Contact Amelia Flood, PhD, at medfacultyoffice@wustl.edu or acflood@wustl.edu.