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Healthcare Leaders

Physicians Leadership

The joint University of Vermont (UVM) and Vermont Medical Society (VMS) leadership course is designed to empower physician leaders across Vermont with the skills, knowledge, practical experience, and networking opportunities needed to foster effective, sustainable team success.

The course also provides a foundational understanding of business and financial principles, as well as key aspects of healthcare systems, to equip leaders with the tools necessary to navigate organizational challenges, drive strategic decision-making, and enhance the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Overview

The program includes both on-site sessions, detailed below, and an online component with additional activities and resources to deepen our collective understanding of these important issues.

Participants’ voices and experiences are central to this learning. Therefore, we help participants apply tools, techniques, and insights to their situation/organization and its culture.

Steering Committee Members

  • Sarah Davies, MD, Family Medicine Physician, UVM Health Network
  • Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
  • Stephanie Winters, Deputy Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
  • Christian Pulcini, MD, MEd, MPH, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician, UVM Health Network
  • Carl (Trey) Dobson, MD, Emergency Medicine, CMO, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
  • Katie Marvin, MD, Family Medicine, Lamoille Health Partners
  • Maureen Hebert, Director of Employer Partnerships, University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education
  • Nichole Hathway, Program Developer, University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education
  • Hannah Day, Program Manager, University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education
  • Colleen Fabian, Instructional Designer, University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education

Instructors

Location

Topnotch Resort
4000 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672

  • Tuition does not include overnight rooms but there is a group rate.
    • Room rate is $249 per night + fees. 

Panelists

  • Sarah Davies, MD
  • Trey Dobson, MD
  • Christian Pulcini, MD
  • Katie Marvin, MD

Schedule

Expand to view the itinerary.

9:30am – 4:00pm
Physician Panelists

  • Program Launch
  • Welcome Panel
  • Project Management
  • How to Lead an Effective Meeting
  • Wellness Centered Leadership

10:00am – 5:00pm
Melissa Arthur & Dael Waxman
Emotional Intelligence

9:00am – 4:00pm
Melissa Arthur & Dael Waxman
Emotional Intelligence

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Melissa Arthur & Dael Waxman
Emotional Intelligence

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Sarah Davies and Trey Dobson
Review of Quality Improvement Projects
Small groups to discuss projects

10:00am – 5:00pm
Susan Loynd
Building High Performing Teams

9:00am – 4:00pm
Susan Loynd
Building High Performing Teams

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Susan Loynd
Building High Performing Teams

1:00pm – 2:45pm
Jessica Moschella
Healthcare Economics

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Cheyenne Holland
Healthcare Finance

9:00am – 2:00pm
Trey Dobson, MD and VMS Staff

Program Wrap Up: Project Presentations and Graduation

FormatDateTimeSpeaker(s)Topic
In-Person Friday, September 12, 202510:00am – 10:30amSarah Davies & Jessa Barnard – Program DirectorsWelcome & Introductions
10:30am – 11:30amPanelists – Health Network & Non-Health Network Physician Leaders
Sarah Davies, MD
Trey Dobson, MD
Katie Marvin, MD		Becoming a Physician Leader – Everyone’s Journey is Different
11:30am – 12:30pmChristian Pulcini, MDHow to Lead an Effective Meeting
12:30 – 1:30pmLunch
1:30pm – 2:45pmSarah Davies, MDWellness Centered Leadership & A Path to Professional Fulfillment   
3:00pm – 4:30pmTrey Dobson, MDProject Management and introducing project ideas 
4:30pm – 5:00pmJessa Barnard & Stephanie WintersPresent project concepts/past projects
In-PersonThursday, October 23, 202510:00am – 5:00pmMelissa Arthur & Dael WaxmanEmotional Intelligence
In-PersonFriday, October 24, 20259:00am – 4:00pmMelissa Arthur & Dael WaxmanEmotional Intelligence
Online LiveThursday, October 30, 20256:00pm – 7:00pmMelissa Arthur & Dael WaxmanEmotional Intelligence
Online LiveThursday, December 4, 20256:00pm – 7:00pmSarah Davies & Trey DobsonReview of Quality Improvement Projects
Small groups to discuss projects
In-PersonThursday, January 15, 202610:00am – 5:00pmSusan LoyndBuilding High Performing Teams
In-PersonFriday, January 16, 20269:00am – 4:00pmSusan LoyndBuilding High Performing Teams
Online LiveThursday, January 29, 20266:00pm – 7:00pmSusan LoyndBuilding High Performing Teams
In-PersonThursday, March 12, 20261:00pm – 2:45pmJessica MoschellaHealthcare Economics
3:00pm – 5:00pmCheyenne HollandHealthcare Finance
In-PersonFriday, March 13, 20269:00am – 11:00amTrey Dobson, MDFacilitated Conclusion
11:15am – 12:00pmJessa/StephanieProject Presentations
1:00pm – 1:30pmJessa/StephanieProject Presentations
1:30pmVMS President/HN RepresentativeGraduation

FAQs

Physicians who have recently assumed or aspire to take on leadership roles are encouraged to participate. It is particularly aimed at individuals with 5 or more years of clinical experience but minimal formal leadership training. The course aims for a cohort of 24 physicians from across Vermont.

For five years, the Vermont Medical Society has offered a Physician Executive Leadership Program (PELI). UVM Health Network has also offered a Physician Leadership Development Program. We are now excited to be joining these programs together under the umbrella of the UVM Professional and Continuing Education program for one statewide Physician Leadership Program.

Course tuition is $3,400. Applicants are encouraged to inquire with their practice or medical staff leadership regarding potential support, as some practices and hospitals may sponsor participation or allow the use of CME funds toward the cost. Interested UVMHN participants should reach out to sarah.davies@cvmc.org with a brief paragraph outlining their interest in the course, their ability to fully participate, and their commitment to attending all scheduled sessions, as a portion of the tuition may be covered by the Health Network.

Please review the course dates in advance to ensure you can attend and address your availability in your letter of interest. Both self-referred and nominated candidates will be reviewed by a selection committee to ensure a balanced mix of participants from various departments and campuses.

Physicians from outside the UVM Health Network should visit the VMS website at https://vtmd.org/physician-executive-leadership-institute/

 

This is a new joint venture between UVM, UVMHN and VMS. Given space constraints, anticipated interest in the program, and based on feedback from the planning committee, at this time the course is limited to physician (MD, DO) participants, with the goal of including advanced practice professionals (APPs) in future cohorts.

Yes, this course will be accredited for CME Credits.

All session costs and expenses (food, CME, assessments) are included in the tuition, but room costs are not included. You can inquire if your organization allows use with CME/professional expense funds to cover the cost of the hotel room.