SLDP Phase II Preparing Leaders to Navigate Complex Organizational Challenges

The AACOM Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP) Phase II focused on Organizational Dynamics and took place on November 16-17, 2025, at the Scottsdale Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The three-phase program is designed for current and emerging leaders in osteopathic medical education and covers essential competencies across multiple domains.

The first day of the meeting emphasized research skills in health professions education, leadership frameworks (particularly the four cognitive frames approach to reframing academic leadership), and negotiation strategies for both general workplace scenarios and employment contract discussions.

The second day shifted to operational and interpersonal leadership skills, including team-building, priority-based strategic planning for medical schools, financial literacy and budgeting fundamentals for colleges of osteopathic medicine, as well as peer coaching techniques based on International Coach Federation principles.

Throughout the program, fellows engaged with their ongoing leadership projects, participated in interactive exercises and case discussions and completed preparatory readings on topics ranging from research methodology to negotiation theory. The curriculum integrated practical application with theoretical frameworks, preparing participants to address complex organizational challenges in academic medicine.

The SLDP fellows will present their capstone projects next year during Educating Leaders 2026, the AACOM Annual Conference.