Three from Duke University School of Medicine were named to ELAM 2024-2025 Class of Fellows

ELAM and the corresponding Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) programs are renowned year-long fellowships to expand the national pool of outstanding women candidates for leadership in healthcare and academic medicine.

Three students from Duke University School of Medicine are selected for the prestigious Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program for the year 2024-2025. These students include - Loretta Que, Heather Whitson, and Drs. Cathleen Colón-Emeric. These students are selected as a members of the 2024-2025 class of fellows for the ELAM program at Drexel University College of Medicine.

ELAM and the corresponding Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) programs are prestigious year-long fellowships. The main objective of these programs is to expand the national pool of outstanding women candidates for leadership in academic medicine and healthcare. It is a highly competitive program and Fellows are chosen from among a group of exceptional leaders capable of making critical systematic change in their institutions.

Each applicant for the ELAM program must be nominated by the dean and supported by their chair. The selection process includes an internal selection process. The University of Duke is able to select only 1-2 individuals per year to apply to the programs. The students who are considering applying for ELAM or ELH in the future should begin conversations with their chair early and inform the office for Faculty of their potential interest.

Details of selected candidates

Following are the details of the selected students:

• Heather Whitson, MD, MHS, is a Professor of Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Head & Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences; Director, Aging Center; Co-Director, Duke/UNC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
• Loretta Que, MD, is a Professor of Medicine; Division Chief, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.
• Cathleen Colón-Emeric, MD, FACP, MHS, Professor of Medicine; Chief, Division of Geriatrics; Associate Dean for Research Mentoring.

Nancy D. Spector, MD, executive director of ELAM said, “We are extremely excited to see the impact these women will have on their institutions as they work through the ELAM and ELH curriculum and develop their action projects. The fellows’ projects not only help them understand the challenges facing academic health centres and the skills a leader must possess to address these challenges, but also often result in concrete changes at their institutions.”

Read more:

• University of Birmingham Chancellor leads largest academic delegation to India
• Rice University to offer new master’s in energy transition and sustainability