Emerging Leader Development Program (eLEAD)
Applications for the 2026-2027 eLEAD cohort are closed.
The Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine (AACEM) and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) are proud to offer the Emerging Leader Development Program (eLEAD). This year-long course provides emerging leaders in academic emergency
medicine with a structured, longitudinal experience designed to develop foundational leadership skills, cultivate a meaningful career network, and build a bridge to countless opportunities in their field.
The ideal candidate for this course is an emergency medicine (EM) faculty member at least five years post residency completion with experience from an existing or past mid-level leadership position, such as Assistant/Associate/new Medical Director, Assistant/Associate/new Program Director, or an institutional/regional/national service leadership position.
The year-long course will begin at the SAEM Annual Meeting, which takes place May 2026 in Atlanta, GA. Monthly didactic sessions and interactive discussions will follow, and the course's final session will be celebrated at SAEM27.
Course Fee: $1,850
The course fee includes tuition and meals for in-person workshops. Travel costs and accommodations are the responsibility of the participants.
Curriculum Overview
| Personal Leadership Domain | Time Management and Organization Mentorship Everyday Leadership: Secrets of Great Leaders Leading from the Middle |
Interpersonal Leadership Domain | Emotional Intelligence Crucial Conversations Negotiation Running Effective Meetings |
Systems Domain | Change Management Organizational Design and Strategic Thinking Project Development: Making Your Case Finance 101 |
Social Domain | Prioritizing DEI as a Leader Gender Disparities in EM Public Advocacy Social Disparities in EM |
Course Schedule
| October 31, 2025 | Application Deadline |
May 18, 2026 | Kickoff meeting at SAEM26 in Atlanta, GA |
June 2026 - April 2027 | Monthly online lectures and discussion |
May 18, 2027 | Course capstone at SAEM27 in San Francisco, CA |
SAEM Educational Course Tuition Payment & Cancellation Policy
Tuition is due thirty days after acceptance to an SAEM course, and must be paid in full before the first session in order to participate. If extenuating circumstances prevent payment on time or the registrant's ability to participate in the course, the registrant should contact SAEM for alternative arrangements.
If the participant withdraws from the course at least thirty days prior to the first session, 100% tuition will be reimbursed. If the participant withdraws less than thirty days prior to the start of the course, tuition will be 50% reimbursed. Tuition
will not be reimbursed at any time after the first session has begun.
Faculty
Faculty is comprised of experienced leaders in academic emergency medicine, including but not limited to:
- Jane H. Brice, MD, Course Director
- Stephen J. Wolf, MD, Course Director
- Harrison Alter, MD, MS
- Kelly Bookman, MD
- Deborah Diercks, MD, MSc
- Ian B. K. Martin, MD, MBA
- Amal Mattu, MD
- Nicole McCoin, MD
- Maria Moreira, MD
- Steven T. Petrovic, MBA
- Susan B. Promes, MD
- Ali Raja, MD, MBA
- Rawle A. Seupaul. MD
- Teresa Y. Smith, MD, MSEd
- Marie-Carmelle Elie, MD
- Michelle Lall, MD, MHS
- Aisha T. Terry, MD, MPH
What Alumni Say
"The SAEM eLEAD course was one of the best and most meaningful experiences that I've had in my career. It's given me new perspectives and the courage to pursue new leadership opportunities as they have arisen. I have highly recommended eLEAD to many of my emergency medicine colleagues."
-Andrew Hashikawa, MD, MS
"The benefits of the eLEAD program are vast. The top benefits from my perspective are the opportunity to learn from top leaders in academic emergency medicine as well as develop a network of peer leaders from across the nation. The program has allowed me the structure and space to be more reflective on my own personal leadership style as well as the relationships of those I lead on a daily basis. I would highly recommend this program to any mid-level faculty that has had some leadership experience and is looking to become a better leader at work and in the community."
-Amy Zosel, MD, MSCS
"The eLEAD program was so incredibly valuable for my professional development as a leader in my organization...The curriculum was exactly what I needed to lead successfully in academic medicine...Just after the course concluded, I was selected as interim chair for our department. As I prepare to apply for the full Chair position, I'll be continuing to rely on many of the skills I gained through the eLEAD program to best serve my department, my college of medicine, my physicians, and my patient communities."
-Richard Bounds, MD
"It has been a wonderful experience to be part of the eLEAD program, initially as a participant and then as Associate Course Director. The program attracts a cohort of emerging leaders across the country with diverse interests and areas of excellence. The access to EM leaders through the program is unparalleled. It provides a safe haven for discussion, learning, and growth through a combination of small group teaching, peer to peer mentoring, and reflection. It has been a career-enriching experience for me, and I highly recommend it for mid-career faculty looking to build their leadership and management skills."
-Laura Oh, MD