Stephanie Terezakis, MD, a professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, is the only U of M faculty member among 65 others who were hand-picked as 2020-2021 fellows for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women at Drexel University College of Medicine. The program works to prepare women for senior leadership roles in schools of medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy who show great potential for assuming those leadership positions within the next five years.

“The women are exceptional leaders who are capable of making critical systemic change in their institutions,” said Nancy D. Spector, MD, executive director of ELAM, in a press release. “The need for the highest quality leaders in academic health care has never been greater, and we are doing everything we can to help meet that need by providing outstanding and innovative leadership training for women.” 

Throughout the year-long fellowship, Dr. Terezakis will learn new skills and be required to conduct an Institutional Action Project, developed in collaboration with the Medical School dean or other senior official. These action projects are designed to address an institutional or departmental need or priority.

“I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious program and am incredibly excited to learn and develop important leadership skills to contribute to the institution,” Dr. Terezakis said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn how to impact policy, curriculum development, cultural competence and organizational change. I am thrilled to be a part of the ELAM legacy in developing senior women faculty to face the challenges of leadership today.”