Associate Professor Rondi Gelbard, M.D., FACS, and Executive Administrator Christal Moore, MBA, MHA, FACHE, were selected for the UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Class of 2022.

To be considered for the competitive HLA, candidates must first be nominated by executive leadership at UAB or UAB Medicine, such as a dean, department chair, or area leader. This year, the HLA Committee had many nominations, but ultimately extended 24 position offers for the Class of 2021-2022.

The HLA, a joint effort of the School of Medicine and the Collat School of Business, provides a cohesive and comprehensive program that offers training opportunities and helps develop essential skills for leaders.

HLA participants will gain a broader understanding of the responsibilities as leaders, new perspective on critical leadership and managerial issues they face, and a deeper understanding and awareness of concepts and techniques relevant to management.

The HLA program will officially begin on Oct. 14, 2021 with a reception and retreat. There will be several classroom sessions throughout the academy as well as other training opportunities and a graduation.

Moore is thrilled to represent the department in the HLA.

“I’m honored to have been selected among the great leaders across UAB,” said Moore. “Dr. Gelbard and I are looking forward to the enrichment of the program and all that we will be able to add back in value to UAB after graduating from the HLA.”

Gelbard is looking forward to the tools and experience she will gain through the academy.

“I sincerely appreciate this opportunity. By participating in the HLA, I hope to build cross-disciplinary collaborative relationships within the healthcare organization, and develop the leadership skills to successfully communicate the unique needs of our trauma patient population and their communities,” said Gelbard.

Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS, is delighted that two members of the department will participate in the 2022 HLA Class.

“Last year, Dr. Brenessa Lindeman represented the department so well, and I am glad to see that carried on with Dr. Gelbard and Christal,” said Chen. “It is wonderful that we have two Department of Surgery employees participating in the academy this year. I look forward to all that they will accomplish.”