Academy for Advanced Healthcare Leaders
Developing emerging and mid-career healthcare professionals to have sustained leadership success
About the Program
The Advanced Healthcare Leaders (AHL) program is an eight-month, project-based leadership experience designed for practicing clinicians, residents, fellows, and healthcare managers and administrators. The program supports emerging and mid-career professionals as they take on increasing responsibility and navigate the complexities of leading within healthcare organizations.
Participants lead a real-world project within their organization, applying leadership concepts directly to challenges that impact their teams, patients, and communities. Through this applied approach, scholars build practical leadership skills while strengthening their ability to communicate, collaborate, and influence effectively.
The program emphasizes self-awareness, relational leadership, and trust, helping participants better understand their own leadership style and how to engage others.
Since 2003, the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation has invested in leadership as a critical component of quality care. What began as the Kanof Institute for Clinician Leadership has evolved into the Academy for Healthcare Leaders, now encompassing Future, Advanced, and Executive programs. As part of the Academy for Healthcare Leaders, AHL sits within a broader pathway that supports professionals from early training through executive leadership, training more than 900 leaders across North Carolina.
Who Should Apply
The Advanced Healthcare Leaders program is designed for early- to mid-career healthcare professionals who are stepping into leadership roles or expanding their responsibilities.
Ideal participants include:
Participants are typically looking to strengthen their leadership skills, improve communication, and lead more effectively within their organizations.
What You’ll Gain
A Real-World Leadership Project
Lead a meaningful initiative within your organization—not theoretical, but applied
Stronger Self-Awareness
Understand your leadership style and how you communicate and engage others
Practical Leadership Tools
Learn frameworks grounded in real healthcare challenges—not generic training
Relational Leadership Skills
Build trust, improve communication, and lead more effective teams
A Network That Lasts
Develop relationships with peers who understand healthcare leadership from the inside
How to Apply
Tuition & Program Details
The seven-month program includes a combination of in-person and virtual learning sessions, designed to support deep engagement alongside professional responsibilities.
Tuition
NCMS Member Rate: $5,000 (Physician); $3,500 (PA)
NCMS Non-Member Rate: $6,700 (Physician); $4,000 (PA)
Other Clinician Rate: $4,250
Healthcare Manager/Administrator Rate: $3,000
Resident & Fellow Rate: $2,500
Scholarship support is available to increase access for leaders serving rural and underserved communities. The following may be eligible for full-tuition scholarships:
• Past/current NC Office of Rural Health Incentive Awards recipients, including PA, MD, DO, NP, CNM, CNS, and LCSW professionals.
• Past/current Community Practitioner Program (CPP) participants, including Physicians, PAs, Nurse Practitioners, psychiatric nurses, and clinicians in Behavioral Health, Maternal Health, and Mental Health.
Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey
Build the skills, confidence, and connections to lead more effectively in your organization and community.
2027 SESSION DETAILS
Virtual Evening Learning Sessions (Thursdays):
February 18, 2027 | April 15, 2027 | July 15, 2027 | August 26, 2027 | Graduation Sept 28 & 30, 2027
In-Person Learning Sessions (Saturdays):
March 20, 2027 | May 1, 2027 | June 12, 2027 | September 18, 2027
Need help requesting employer support? We provide templates and talking points to help you make the case.
Advanced Healthcare Leaders
Bryson Jenkins, DO
ECU Medical Health Center
Documentation of Consultation Response Times
Danielle Mohlhenrich-Thompson, LCSW, LCAS
Daymark Recovery ACTT
Psychiatric Hospital and Treatment Teams Collaboration
Dayna Farrington, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
Integrated Family Services, PLLC
Certification Exams for LCSWs, LCASs, and CDACs
Beth Ehlers, DMS, PA-C
Good Hope Hospital/Daymark Recovery Services
PAs and PA Students in the Psychiatry Field
Jennifer Childress, FNP-BC
Hugh Chatham Health – Family Medicine
Mental Health Resource Guide
Jennifer Pernesky, MSN, RN, NP-C
Rural Health Group
Retention of APPs
Jessica Mabe, FNP-BC
Hugh Chatham Health – Family Medicine
Stroke Support Group
Kay Boykin, AGPCDNP
Cherry Hospital/DSOHF
Lauren Dunn, dO
ECU Health Medical Center
Hospital-Sponsored Group Home
Lucy Smith, DNP, MSN, BSN, BA, FNP-BC, RN, AAHIVS
Vecinos & Mutual Aid Wellness Collective
Development of a Nonprofit Organization
Mariam Awana, MD
ECU Health Medical Center
AI Ambient Documentation Software
Osejie (Jay) Oriaifo, MD, MSc
ECU Health Medical Center
Cardiology Consult Workflow
Sarah Rimmer, mD
Wake Forest Dermatology
Dermatology Care in Rural NC
Advanced Healthcare Leaders
Bryson Jenkins
ECU Health Medical Center
Documentation of Consultation Response Times
Danielle Mohlhenrich-Thompson
Daymark Recovery ACTT
Psychiatric Hospital and Treatment Teams Collaboration
Dayna Farrington
Integrated Family Services, PLLC
Certification Exams for LCSWs, LCASs, and CDACs
Beth Ehlers
Good Hope Hospital/Daymark Recovery Services
PAs and PA Students in the Psychiatry Field
Jennifer Childress
Hugh Chatham Health – Family Medicine
Mental Health Resource Guide
Jennifer Pernesky
Rural Health Group
Retention of APPs
Jessica Mabe
Hugh Chatham Health – Family Medicine
Stroke Support Group
Kay Boykin
Cherry Hospital/DSOHF
Lauren Dunn
ECU Health Medical Center
Hospital-Sponsored Group Home
Lucy Smith
Vecinos & Mutual Aid Wellness Collective
Development of a Nonprofit Organization
Mariam Awana
ECU Health Medical Center
AI Ambient Documentation Software
Jay Oriaifo
ECU Health Medical Center
Cardiology Consult Workflow
Sarah Rimmer
Wake Forest Dermatology
Dermatology Care in Rural NC
“
This program taught me new ways to think about leadership, such as how leadership can come in many forms, including leadership to self, others, and organizations.
By focusing on my leadership skills, I am communicating more effectively, practicing active listening, and fostering a better patient-clinician culture.
– Susan Roberts, Do
2025 Advanced Healthcare Leaders Scholar
East Carolina University Health Medical Center, General Surgery Research Resident