Enrollment is now underway for the Columbus Medical Association’s (CMA) Physicians Leadership Academy (PLA), a 10-month course that is designed to help physicians better understand who they are as a person combined with who they are as a leader.
Whether you are a physician practicing in Central Ohio or in the far corners of the state, all physicians are invited to apply for this unique learning experience that improves communication, focuses on unique methods of thought stimulation and implementation, and provides ongoing self-assessment and development.
Due to the ongoing partnership between the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians and the CMA, registration is now available to OAFP members at the CMA member price. The 2018-19 class is limited to 20 participants and begins this fall.
“You will not find a more rewarding way to grow both personally and professionally than with the PLA. The time spent with this program is well worth it,” said Matt Cook, MD, an OAFP member from Grove City, OH.
- Emotional Intelligence: To increase the participant’s emotional self-awareness, emotional self-control, adaptability, positive outlook, and achievement orientation.
- Cognitive Capacity: To increase the participant’s knowledge of healthcare systems, planning, legal issues, public policy, and their ability to do “systems” thinking and recognize patterns.
- Social Intelligence: To increase the participant’s ability to empathize, show compassion, listen to understand, influence, and show inspirational leadership.
Each area works on the physician’s awareness of self, of others, and of systems (primarily healthcare) both individually and collectively.
Mindfulness Meditation Practice
At the same time that this innovative content is being taught, fellows learn mindfulness meditation. Upon starting out, fellows often believe that this part of the program might be the least important or desirable, only to conclude that this was actually the most important aspect of the program. The benefits of mindfulness meditation are many, but learning to be kind to yourself is at the core. When we learn to be kind to ourselves that translates to kindness to family, patients, and co-workers, which then becomes part of your leadership style.
Executive Coaching
Each PLA fellow is matched with an executive coach that will help them connect their learning at the PLA with their own life and circumstances. As a learner, your coach will be your one-on-one contact for deciding what your leadership learning priorities are, making meaning of what is taught in the PLA, how to integrate that learning into your work, and supporting your overall growth as a leader.
“This is the type of course that we, as physicians, are unaccustomed to. I believe the benefits of participating in the PLA will be unique and far reaching for each physician. Its value cannot be quantified in a metric, but rather in quality of life. I completed the program in its inaugural year and I see the merit of the PLA on a daily basis,” said David Schnitzer, MD, from Retina Vitreous Associates in Columbus, OH.
The CMA Foundation established the PLA in 2013. Classes are held at the CMA in Columbus. The curriculum, faculty bios, monthly class dates, online application, and a list of colleagues who have graduated from the PLA can be found on the PLA website.
The PLA is an affiliate of the CMA and endorsed by Central Ohio Primary Care, Mount Carmel Medical Group, and Ohio Gastroenterology.
For questions contact Phil Cass, PhD, curriculum and evaluation co-director, by email or calling 614. 595.5152; or contact Diane May, administrative co-director, by email or calling 614.208.0852.