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Dr. Lori Carter-Edwards, PhD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Government Affairs, was selected as a Fellow in the 2025-2026 Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program . The highly competitive and prestigious program is the only longitudinal program in North America dedicated to preparing women for senior leadership roles in schools of medicine, dentistry, public health, and pharmacy.
ELAM aids its fellows in developing the professional and personal skills required to lead and manage today's complex healthcare environment, with special attention to the unique challenges facing women in leadership positions. The program has been specially developed for senior women faculty at the associate or full professor level who demonstrate the greatest potential for assuming executive leadership positions at academic health centers within the next five years.
Dr. Carter-Edwards was attending a government relations representative meeting in Washington, D.C. when she received a phone call from KPSOM Dean and CEO John L. Dalrymple, MD, stating that he had great news to share regarding her ELAM selection.
“I was thrilled to receive the news, and truly honored to be selected, particularly given the competitiveness of the ELAM fellowship,” said Dr. Carter-Edwards. “This is really not just for me, but for our entire school community. I thank the faculty, staff, and students for their support. I also thank the local communities with which we work. A special thanks goes to Dean Dalrymple and Dean Lindia Willies-Jacobo [MD, FAAP, KPSOM Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity] for their support and contributions to my application. In addition, I look forward to learning from ELAM alum Dr. Quyen Ngo-Metgzer [MD, MPH, KPSOM Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs], who was a part of the 2024-2025 class.”
The effectiveness of ELAM's distinctive approach to leadership preparation is broadly recognized within the academic health community. There are more than 1,600 ELAM alumnae who serve in leadership positions at 300 academic health centers around the world.
Each fellow must be nominated and supported by the dean or another senior official of her institution to be accepted into the program. ELAM cultivates strong partnerships with participating institutions like KPSOM throughout the yearlong fellowship. Fellows have a curricular requirement to conduct an Institutional Action Project, developed in collaboration with the fellow’s sponsor. These action projects are designed to address an institutional or departmental need or priority.
All fellowship work will begin in June 2025 and conclude with the Leaders Forum—a capstone event—on April 29, 2026; graduation is scheduled April 30, 2026. The Leaders Forum brings together the fellows and their deans, CEOs, and other senior officials, and features a symposium highlighting the fellows’ Institutional Action Projects. The 2025-2026 class of ELAM includes 100 fellows, and 50 fellows were selected as part of the Executive Leadership in Healthcare track designed for senior-level women leaders interested in advancing in C-level hospital and healthcare system positions.
“I am hoping that this opportunity will provide me additional skills and connect me to a network of amazing individuals to lead in community engagement in a different way and on a broader level within KPSOM, Kaiser Permanente, and our local community,” said Dr. Carter-Edwards.
