• We're excited to offer FLIGHT Academy II, but space is limited!
• We're giving our FLIGHT Academy I (February 2024) participants priority registration through December 1, 2024.
• After that, any remaining spots will be open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis.
• We hope to see you there!

Elevate Your Leadership in Graduate Medical Education
The FLIGHT Academy Education Leadership Certificate program is designed to help current and aspiring fellowship and graduate medical education leaders enhance their leadership capabilities, knowledge, and skills. The certification program provides participants with practical frameworks and approaches to leadership to improve their effectiveness, advance their careers, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those they lead.

Throughout this course, participants will:

• Leadership Principles: Master core principles, explore proven frameworks, develop personalized strategies for communication, conflict resolution, team building and mentorship. Learn from Dr. Richard Winters, author of You're the Leader. Now What?
• GME Administration: Gain practical insights into ACGME requirements, accreditation, milestones reporting, and communication with the DIO and ACGME. Learn to respond to citations and implement program improvements.
• Finances and Recruitment: Develop effective budget management and trainee recruitment strategies, including holistic review and behavioral interviewing. Explore funding models and secure support for new fellowships and faculty educational time
• Learning Environment: Cultivate a positive learning environment, align actions with core values, and foster resident well-being. Drive program excellence.
• Essential Skills: Time management, public speaking, communication, and networking skills.

Pre-conference participants can sign up for a 30-minute, 1:1 mentoring consultation with an experienced peer program director to discuss a specific fellowship program-related question or issue. The ability to reserve a 1:1 mentoring consultation is for pre-conference participants only on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist will be started once all 1:1 mentoring consultation sessions are filled. Sessions will be confirmed prior to the pre-conference start date.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this course, participants should be better able to:

1. Navigate ACGME requirements and communications, address programmatic issues, and implement improvements to ensure compliance and enhance program quality.
2. Apply practical leadership strategies and core competencies for leading from the middle, effectively managing resources, and navigating the intersection of leadership and management within medical education.
3. Discuss GME funding models, develop budget management strategies, and secure funding for fellowship programs and faculty development in various settings.
4. Construct actionable strategies for effective leadership within organizations, focusing on the core competencies required for leading from the middle and navigating the intersection of leadership and management in medical education.
5. Enhance their communication skills across various platforms, from leading teams to patient encounters, by applying techniques to improve clarity, engagement, and trust.

TARGETED LEARNERS
This program is targeted towards fellowship and graduate medical education leaders who are serving or aspire to serve in medical education leadership, including participation in the administration of a fellowship program.

• Program Directors
• Associate Program Directors
• Core Faculty
• Fellowship Directors
• Other medical educators seeking to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge

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FLIGHT PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS // WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
SESSION TIME / TITLE	SESSION DESCRIPTION / OBJECTIVES
8:00 AM - 8:05 AM (EST) Welcome and Introductions James Frank, MD, MA
8:05 AM - 8:50 AM (EST) A New Leadership Relationship With the ACGME and Your DIO Rendell W. Ashton, MD	This session will provide program leaders with practical strategies for building and maintaining effective relationships with the ACGME and their Designated Institutional Official (DIO). We will explore best practices for interacting with and leveraging the expertise of both the ACGME and the DIO to enhance program quality and address challenges. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Develop effective communication strategies for interacting with the ACGME and the DIO regarding program requirements, changes, and areas of concern. 2. Apply best practices for responding to ACGME citations and navigating the process of program improvement. 3. Utilize available resources and establish clear communication channels to effectively address programmatic issues and ensure compliance with ACGME standards.
8:50 AM - 9:50 AM (EST) KEYNOTE ADDRESS How to Lead When Experts Disagree Richard Winters, MD	Learn a step-by-step approach to handle team conflicts and make difficult decisions. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Apply a leadership framework to overcome complex challenges. 2. Identify three different tactics for developing a shared reality. 3. Discuss an approach to naming and mitigating the fears and worries that inhibit strategic success. 4. Learn an effective technique for brainstorming options.
10:05 AM - 11:05 AM (EST) WORKSHOP How to Coach Colleagues to Find Solutions Richard Winters, MD	Learn how to coach colleagues from problem talk to solution talk. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Compare five different approaches to helpful conversation. 2. Recognize the power of combining supervision with coaching and teaching. 3. Explore problem talk versus solution talk. 4. Learn to overcome the difficulties of attempting to coach. 5. Apply coaching techniques to help colleagues move to effective action.
11:05 AM - 11:50 AM (EST) Decoding Fellowship Program and GME Financing: A Practical Guide John (Jack) D. Buckley, MD, MPH	This presentation will address the history of GME funding and how it has evolved over the years. When Program Directors understand how health systems support housestaff training (financially), they can use this knowledge to articulate a business case for hospital finance leaders that may justify the creation or expansion of a fellowship program. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Describe CMS's Direct and Indirect Medical Education funding process to health systems. 2. Quantitate personnel expenses for providers (eg, APPs) who would be necessary to do the clinical work of fellows as part of their training. 3. Develop a business case (purely financial) that can support a fellowship program.
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM (EST) CONCURRENT WORKSHOP 1 Leading From the Middle: How to Optimize Influence and Get Things Done Sakshi Dua, MBBS; Ashley G. Henderson, MD	Program Directors are often considered “middle leaders” by virtue of their position in their division/section. They are empowered by ACGME regulations to have oversight over their trainees and peers, yet still answer to their division/section chiefs. They have a lot of responsibility, but not necessarily authority. They are considered to be in a leadership position within the hierarchy of their division/section. However, most Program Directors aren't professionally trained to be able to lead from the middle. This didactic/workshop will address this gap by identifying key competencies Program Directors should develop as a middle leader. We will also spend time on clarifying the definitions and differences of being a leader vs a manager. Finally, we will elucidate some strategies to be an effective middle leader. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Describe CMS's Direct and Indirect Medical Education funding process to health systems. 2. Quantitate personnel expenses for providers (eg, APPs) who would be necessary to do the clinical work of fellows as part of their training. 3. Develop a business case (purely financial) that can support a fellowship program.
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM (EST) CONCURRENT WORKSHOP 2 Winning with Words: Public Speaking Skills for Clinician-Educator Leaders Mark H. Adelman, MD; Mirna Mohanraj, MD, MA; Lekshmi Santhosh, MD, MAEd	In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to effectively improve their public speaking skills, thus elevating their performance while delivering academic presentations, leading clinical rounds, teaching educational sessions, running effective meetings and more. We will discuss the data for why public speaking skills are critically important, discuss the role of implicit bias in public speaking, employ effective strategies to improve public speaking skills, and learn quick pearls for different public speaking settings, such as presentations, meetings, didactics, rounds, meetings, podcasts and more. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Apply public speaking skills such as pacing, body language, eye contact and avoid fillers, to improve their next oral presentation or public speaking event. 2. Incorporate and apply public speaking strategies into improving running rounds, delivering scientific presentations, running meetings, or speaking on public-facing media such as podcasts, television, or radio. 3. Apply patient- and family-centered communication skills to improve patient and public trust in the patient-clinician relationship.
2:05 PM - 3:05 PM (EST) CONCURRENT WORKSHOP 3 Trainee Recruitment Geneva Tatem, MD; Mauricio Danckers, MD, FCCP; Jayna Gardner-Gray, MD; Stella Ogake, MD, FCCP	This session will provide a framework for learners to evaluate their recruitment and develop a holistic selection and structured interview process. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Understand holistic review and develop meaningful measures for their program. 2. Understand the benefits of structured interviews and interview debriefs. 3. Develop 1-2 structured interview questions based on their program's aims.
2:05 PM - 3:05 PM (EST) CONCURRENT WORKSHOP 4 Time Management Hacks for Educational Leaders: Tips From Busy Medical Educators Anna Neumeier, MD; Başak Çoruh, MD; Stephanie Maximous, MD, MS	In this session, panelists will share pragmatic time management pearls for the busy clinician-educator and educational leaders. We will focus on principles of productivity and efficiency, task prioritization, considering impacts on cognitive load and task switching. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Differentiate between task switching and multitasking and learn the impacts of various strategies on productivity and efficiency and cognitive load. 2. Describe effective time management strategies to succeed as educational leaders. 3. Share strategies on staying energized and engaged despite the pressures of productivity and efficiency.
3:10 PM - 3:20 PM (EST) The Culture-Values Connection: Leading Teams Through Values-Based Leadership May M. Lee, MD	This session will explore the role of leadership in driving cultural transformation within pulmonary and critical care medicine programs. We will discuss strategies for aligning actions with core values to foster an inclusive, supportive, and innovative educational environment. Expert panelists will then share their experiences and insights on how to cultivate a cohesive team culture that reflects and reinforces program values. Participants will gain insights into effective leadership practices that promote advocacy, career advancement, and health equity education. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Identify Key Strategies for Value Integration: Participants will learn how to effectively integrate their program's core values into everyday practices and team interactions. 2. Enhance Team Collaboration and Communication: The discussion will provide actionable insights on fostering open communication and collaboration within teams to support a positive and productive culture. 3. Develop Strategies for Fostering Inclusiveness and Belonging: Attendees will explore practical approaches to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes a sense of belonging among educators and trainees.
3:20 PM - 4:10 PM (EST) PANEL DISCUSSION The Culture-Values Connection: Leading Teams Through Values-Based Leadership Moderator: May M. Lee, MD Panel: Mauricio Danckers, MD, FCCP; David J. De La Zerda, MD; Maryl Kreider, MD, MSCE; Paru S. Patrawalla, MD; Ziad S. Shaman, MD, MHcM; Geneva Tatem, MD	This interactive session empowers GME leaders to become agents of positive culture change by aligning their actions with their core values. Participants will engage in self-reflection exercises to identify their personal values and explore how these values influence their leadership style. The session will also delve into practical strategies for communicating values effectively, building trust and transparency, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within GME programs. Real-world case studies and interactive discussions will provide opportunities to apply these concepts and develop actionable plans for driving meaningful culture change. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Identify and articulate personal values that influence leadership behaviors within Graduate Medical Education. 2. Develop strategies to align leadership actions with core values to promote positive culture change within GME programs. 3. Apply communication and accountability techniques to foster a culture of transparency and continuous improvement in the GME learning environment.
4:10 PM - 5:00 PM (EST) PARTICIPANT DRIVEN PANEL DISCUSSION Leading With Confidence: Solutions for Program Leadership Challenges Moderator: James Frank, MD, MA Panel: Gabriel Bosslet, MD, MA; Kristin M. Burkart, MD, MSc; Neal F. Chaisson, MD; Başak Çoruh, MD; Kathleen Doo, MD, MHPE; Jaime Palomino, MD; Effie Singas, MD	This interactive panel discussion offers medical education leaders a unique opportunity to gain insights and practical advice from seasoned medical education leaders. Audience members are encouraged to submit their most pressing challenges in program leadership prior to the session. Our expert panelists will then address these real-world scenarios, offering diverse perspectives and proven strategies for navigating complex issues. This dynamic format fosters open dialogue and provides a valuable platform for learning from shared experiences and building connections with peers. Come prepared to engage with the panelists and gain valuable takeaways to enhance your leadership skills. Session objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be better able to: 1. Identify common challenges faced by program leadership in Graduate Medical Education. 2. Analyze effective strategies and solutions for addressing program leadership challenges, drawing on the expertise of experienced leaders. 3. Develop a network of peers and mentors to support ongoing professional development in GME leadership.

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Disclosure Declaration

As a jointly accredited provider, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) must ensure balance, objectivity, independence, and scientific rigor in its educational activities. Faculty are encouraged to provide a balanced view of therapeutic options by utilizing either generic names or the trade names of several to ensure impartiality.

All speakers, planning committee members and others in a position to control continuing education content participating in a UNMC-accredited activity are required to disclose relationships with commercial interests. A commercial interest is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Disclosure of these commitments and/or relationships is included in these activity materials so that participants may formulate their own judgments in interpreting its content and evaluating its recommendations.

This activity may include presentations in which faculty may discuss off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments not yet FDA-approved. Participants should note that the use of products outside currently FDA-approved labeling should be considered experimental and are advised to consult current prescribing information for FDA-approved indications.

All materials are included with the permission of the authors. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not to be construed as those of the UNMC.

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CME and MOC Credit

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by University of Nebraska Medical Center and Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors. University of Nebraska Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 7.25 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

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