Academy for Healthcare Leaders

Developing healthcare leaders at every stage to strengthen care across North Carolina

The Academy for Healthcare Leaders is a flagship initiative of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation, providing a structured, experience-based pathway to leadership development across the full healthcare career journey. Since 2003, the NCMS Foundation has recognized the critical role of leadership in advancing quality healthcare. Founded by Dr. Elizabeth Kanof and Dr. Michael Brennan, the original leadership programs were built on the belief that clinicians are uniquely positioned to lead meaningful change within healthcare systems. What began as the Kanof Institute for Clinician Leadership has evolved into the Academy for Healthcare Leaders — now encompassing Future, Advanced, and Executive programs.

Through this tiered model, the Academy equips clinicians and healthcare professionals at every stage with the skills, self-awareness, and relationships needed to improve patient care, strengthen teams, and lead meaningful change. Each program is designed to meet participants where they are, whether entering the field, growing into leadership roles, or leading at the executive level, while building a connected pipeline of leaders prepared to meet the evolving challenges of healthcare in North Carolina.