UCLA Health Leadership Academy

Program Context

UCLA Health is committed to defining leadership that is consistent with its mission of healing humankind one patient at a time. Those entrusted with leadership responsibilities must lead effectively to meet organizational objectives of quality patient care and careful stewardship of financial resources. Leadership development must serve as a bridge across the health system and prepare leaders for the challenges of a rapidly changing and demanding environment. The Academy is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional resource by which the whole system ensures the readiness and availability of the leaders required to fulfill its mission. The Academy will seek participation from emerging leaders across the system. The opportunity to create collaborative multi-disciplinary partnerships is a key element of the Academy. As seen with the Academy's inaugural section, the formation of healthy cross-unit relationships is a lasting benefit of the process. In addition, the Academy builds coursework and development experiences on the foundation of the everyday challenges and opportunities of the healthcare environment. It is a program in which participants develop a sense of belonging to a committed community that is engaged in a powerfully meaningful mission and that provides leadership lessons at every turn. As a result, the most important lessons will be applied immediately and throughout participants' careers.

Program Overview

The Academy will consist of a year-long leadership experience for two sections of 20 leaders across UCLA Health including the Faculty Practice Group and the David Geffen School of Medicine. Each section will include two multi-day workshops:

• SECTION 1: October 4-7, 2015 (off-site) and November 30-December 2, 2015 (local)
• SECTION 2: January 24-27, 2016 (off-site) and April 4-6, 2016 (local)

• Individual Leader Assessment: Participants will complete a variety of assessments including a 360 degree leadership assessment. Results will be used throughout the course.
• Leadership Challenge: Each participant will work closely with a direct supervisor to identify at least one significant leadership challenge to work on during the Academy.
• Leadership Workshops: Participants will travel to a three-day off-site leadership development program that will be delivered by the nationally recognized Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) as well as attend another intensive three-day workshop on or near the UCLA campus. Keeping in mind personal and work schedules, participants will choose one of the two above section programs. The expenses for the offsite will be covered by Human Resources Training & Development.
• Advisory Meetings and Peer Meetings: Participant sections will meet monthly to discuss topics emerging from the workshops and hear the personal leadership journeys of UCLA Health executives. In addition, participants will be split into pairs for ongoing peer support.
• Reception: After the second workshop, a reception will be held for participants to share personal growth stories and lessons learned as a result of the Academy.
• Ongoing Supervisor Support: Participants will receive mentorship and feedback from direct supervisors throughout the year (see below).

Role of Supervisor

The direct supervisor of each participant must challenge and support the participant through regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings. This will involve a commitment to provide honest and kind feedback to the participant and to hold the participant accountable for applying learnings from the Academy. Supervisors must ensure that participants can attend all Leadership Academy meetings.

• Supervisor's Role in Application Process: Each candidate must secure approval from a direct supervisor and provide the supervisor's contact information in the program application. After the candidate submits an application, this supervisor will receive a message with instructions on how to submit a confidential recommendation on behalf of the candidate (recommendations will only be shared with the Leadership Academy selection committee). Without this recommendation, the application will be incomplete and will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

The participant sections will be assembled based on diversity in discipline and unit (Faculty Practice Group, Hospital, School of Medicine, etc.), diversity in demographics (gender, ethnicity, etc.), mix of personalities, and availability for the given time frame.

• Individuals must be MSP or equivalent
• The individual should show promise of significant contribution in formal and informal leadership within the health system.
• The recommendation is not merely to reward great past contributions or as a reward for difficult circumstances.
• The program cannot be a fix for significant difficulties in interpersonal relations or inability to meet current leadership responsibilities.
• Responsibilities for the Leadership Academy would be in addition to all job-related responsibilities. While each candidate must have the support of a supervisor for full participation in all aspects of the program, the supervisor is not obligated to give extra time on other projects or time off to account for the substantial work required for participation.
• Participation does not guarantee future advancement but rather is a vote of confidence by UCLA Health in an individual's capacity for greater contribution to the fulfillment of the system's mission.

Application Process

Those interested in the program may self-nominate along with the approval of, and recommendation from, a direct supervisor. Click here to download the application form.

The application and a current resume should be submitted to LeadershipAcademy@mednet.ucla.edu with a subject of "First Name Last Name Application".

After interested candidates submit applications, the candidates' supervisors will be contacted to submit a confidential recommendation. The candidate must manage the process to ensure the application is complete, meaning all materials (application, resume and recommendation) are submitted by Friday, July 31, 2015 at 5:00PM. Only completed applications will be considered.

Academy participants will be announced by Monday, August 10, 2015. Note that both sections will be announced at the same time.

The selection committee looks forward to receiving applications. Please direct questions about the Academy or the application process to RLudewig@mednet.ucla.edu.