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 AAMC defines underrepresented in medicine (URiM) as "racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.” The goal of Pillar 4 is to cultivate a diverse group of future leaders from URiM 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 URiM medical students, residents, and early-career rheumatologists. Our aim is to enhance leadership opportunities and leadership role attainment amongst those historically underrepresented within the rheumatology field.
  • Offer leadership comprehensive training programs through seminars, meetings, and summits, taught by current leaders in rheumatology and other healthcare leaders, to empower URiM participants in developing their leadership skills and advancing their careers.
  • Assist on the Leadership journey: share your voice!

Leadership Opportunities & Programs

ACR Board & Committee Volunteers

  • 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.

Harvard Commonwealth Fund Fellowship

  • The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University trains leaders in health equity through mentorship and a focus on policy and advocacy, equipping participants to address healthcare disparities and drive meaningful change.

Harvard School of Public Health Leadership Programs

  • 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.

Public Health Leadership Lab

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

MIT Leadership & Innovation

  • 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.

National Clinicians Scholars Program

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

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows

  • 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.

Yale Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship

  • The Pozen Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity at Yale School of Management enhances leadership skills for healthcare professionals through a curriculum focused on health equity, 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

ACR Scholarship Programs

  • These scholarships introduce residents and students to pediatric rheumatology and support underrepresented individuals in the field through various funding opportunities.

American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Committee Volunteer Opportunities

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

Project LEAD

  • Project LEAD engages URiM medical students through virtual discussions on rheumatology and fellowship preparation, focusing on work-life balance.

NIAMS Career Development

  • NIAMS provides various educational and mentorship programs aimed at enhancing research experience and skills across different career stages.

Reaching for Health Equity in Rheumatology Care  

  • This program offers educational courses aimed at improving engagement and communication with diverse patient populations to promote health equity.
Advanced Practice Providers & Allied Health Professionals

Advocacy 101

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

American Association College of Nursing (AACN)

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

Anne Strong Academic Scholarship

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

E.K. Wise Scholarship 

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

Excellence in Rheumatology Nursing Award

  • This award recognizes nurse leaders who meet specific LEAD criteria through nominations.

Leadership Development of Women of Color in Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Intersectional Analysis  

  • A qualitative study examining how intersecting identities impact the leadership development of URiM women in occupational therapy, emphasizing mentorship and inclusion.

Minority Student scholarship and Research Scholarship for Minoritized Physical Therapists

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

Occupational Therapy Diverse Leadership Program

  • This program promotes diversity in occupational therapy through education, leadership, and networking, featuring monthly meetings and mentorship opportunities.

Physician Assistant/ Nurse Practitioner Leadership & Management Training Courses

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

Physical Therapy Diversity Awards for Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership 

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

Physical Therapy Leadership Development

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

Speech-Language Pathologist Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP)

  • This program aims to recruit and retain underrepresented minorities in audiology and speech-language pathology, offering educational programming and networking opportunities.

Successfully Facilitating Leadership Practices- Empowering and Inspiring Occupational Therapists to Perform

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

Women in Leadership: Lessons from our Superheroines

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

Literary Resources

Click to view a list of resources

Leadership Preparation

Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader (Herminia Ibarra, 2023)

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life (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).

Expect to win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet (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.

Micro Skills: Small Actions, Big Impact (Adaira Landry, Resa E. Lewiss, 2024)

The Glass Cliff: Why Women in Power Are Undermined - and How to Fight Back (Sophie Williams, 2024)

  • Note: Glass Cliff describes a phenomenon where a woman or male leader from historically marginalized populations 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.

Working with Emotional Intelligence (Daniel Goleman, 1998)

Leadership Development (Women-Specific)

A Woman’s Guide to Power, Presence, and Protection: 12 Rules for Gaining the Credit, Respect and Recognition You Deserve (Mónica Bauer, Marty Seldman, Paula Santilli, Jovita Thomas-Williams, 2022)

Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices For Women Navigating Leadership (Susan MacKenty Brady, Janet Foutty, Lynn Perry Wooten, 2022)

Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get what They Really Want (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

How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back (Sally Helgesen, Marshall Goldsmith, 2019)

Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead (Tara Mohr, 2015)

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