Twenty-two UAB leaders graduated among the ninth cohort of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership on Dec. 11, 2024. Institute for Leadership is a flagship program of the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office, an organization dedicated to providing tools and training to empower UAB Medicine’s leaders and the individuals and groups they manage. See photos from the event.
The curriculum focuses on strengthening leadership skillsets with the opportunity for self-reflection using tools like the DISC assessment, as well as guest speakers from executive-level leadership positions at UAB, including former Institute for Leadership graduates.
Kayla Cooney, MBA, BSN, RN, AMB-BC, Patient Healthcare Coordination Center Manager for UAB Medicine, was among the ninth cohort of graduates and called the program an “eye-opening experience.”
“It allowed me to delve deeply into the meaning behind tools like the DISC assessment and StrengthsFinder, which provided valuable insights into my leadership style and areas for growth,” Cooney said. “The program was thoughtfully organized, and the entire team was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it.”
Cooney added that Institute for Leadership helped connect her with leaders beyond her immediate work area.
“Future participants should know that this program sets you up for success,” Cooney said. “It equips you with practical leadership tools and fosters connections with exceptional leaders across the UAB system, making it a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
Glenda Black, R.N., MSHQS, BSN, CNML, LSSGB, Senior Director, Surgical Nursing, who also graduated among the ninth cohort, echoed the program’s emphasis on self-reflection as it pertains to leadership.
“Personally, one of the most significant aspects was the focus on self-awareness, the ability to understand my own character, values, motivations, and how my actions affect others,” Black said. “This leads to better communication with my team.”
Another feature of Institute for Leadership is honing not only individual leadership skills and styles but also empowering others to be better leaders, according to fellow graduate Jimmie Loats, MBA, Associate Vice President, Business Ops. & Analytics, Financial Operations & Analytics.
“A highlight was the combined focus on succession planning and overall development of other future and upcoming leaders,” Loats said. “Paying it forward is somewhat embedded in the program, and I feel safe stating that most of us are leaving with a more focused plan for the intentional development of others than we had coming into the program.”
Loats touted the benefits and tools provided in the program curriculum as “phenomenal” and said Institute for Leadership gave him a renewed confidence in implementing those tools and skills, as well as confidence in other aspects of being a leader.
“The program has given me confidence,” Loats said. “Confidence in the reassurance of an arsenal of tools that I either didn’t have or know how good they were if I did. The program strengthened skills in how to apply them as well. Confidence in taking my schedule, personal care, and abilities more seriously. Confidence in more intentional focus on balance because I have to serve as a model for others to do the same for their sake.”
Loats added that he is grateful for program leaders Jean Ann Larson, Ed. D., MBA, BSIE, FACHE, FIISE, LFHIMSS, Chief Leadership Development Officer and Kellie R. Carter, Ph.D., Senior Leadership Development Specialist, as well as his fellow cohort members.
“As in all things UAB, the greatest asset of the program is the people, and our cohort is no exception,” Loats said. “It has been an honor and privilege to collaboratively connect, listen, and share thoughts with the variety of professionals in our group. I believe these relationships will last much longer than the short time of the program.”
Graduates in the ninth cohort of UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership include the following.
• Amy Beard, MSN, R.N., NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Hospital Administration
• Micah Beavers, MBA, CISSP, Dir-Healthcare Info, Sec-ENT HSIS
• Anyet Belyeu, DNP, ACNP-BC, MSN, BSN, Senior Director, Digestive Health Endoscopy Services
• Glenda Black, R.N., MSHQS, BSN, CNML, LSSGB, Senior Director, Surgical Nursing
• Daran Brown, R.N., MBA, Senior Director, Clinical Finance Management, Resource Management Systems
• Steven Brown, M.D., CAQSM, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
• Josh Carter, Ph.D.
• Kayla Cooney, MBA, BSN, R.N., AMB-BC, Manager, Patient Healthcare Coordination Center
• Toni Gaston, BSN, MSN, Nurse Manager, Surgical Nursing-Acute Care
• Moheb Gohar, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
• Sasha Harris, DNP, MSHQS, R.N., MEDSURG-BC, NE-BC, Senior Director, Medical Nursing
• Megan Hays, Ph.D., ABPP, FAACVPR, Associate Professor, Director of Wellness Education, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UAB Medicine Office of Wellness
• Anand Iyer, M.D., PSPH, Associate Professor, ACMO Medicine – Pulmonary, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
• Rachael Lee, M.D., MSPH, Associate Professor, Chief Healthcare Epidemiologist, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
• Jimmie Loats, MBA, Associate Vice President, Business Ops. & Analytics, Financial Operations & Analytics
• Brandi McCleskey, M.D., Associate Professor, Vice Chair of Education, Department of Pathology
• Cali Myers, MHA, Executive Administrator, Department of Emergency Medicine
• Carson Phillips, MSN, R.N., NE-BC, Senior Director, Transplant Administration
• Jennifer Philpot, MSHA, Senior Director, Heersink School of Medicine Development
• Lalita Samant, Ph.D., Professor, Director, Cancer Biology Ph.D. Theme, Associate Director for Training and Education, O’Neal Cancer Center, Department of Pathology
• Shi Wei, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Division Director, Department of Pathology
• Christopher White, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine