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What is the UVA Health Leadership Institute (HLI)? 

The  UVA Health Leadership Institute provides lifelong learning opportunities for UVA Health team members to grow their leadership skills. The institute serves team members at different phases of their careers, from across all health system entities and roles. In doing so, the HLI bolsters our culture of fostering mentorship, advancing career development, and growing leaders from within the health system.  

How is the HLI different from existing leadership programs in the health system and across the University? 

HLI is unique in its focus on leadership in healthcare settings, as well as its draw of leaders from all facets of the health system, developing leaders from across all departments and entities. It will augment and complement existing programs such as Cornerstone (universitywide, no healthcare focus) and Leaders in Academic Medicine (training faculty to lead in academic settings).  

Why do we have a leadership institute? 

Feedback gathered during the strategic planning process and the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey reflected broad and consistent desire for increased leadership development opportunities from team members across the health system. The UVA Health Leadership Institute (HLI) was founded to answer this call and serve as a key driver in achieving our strategic goal to make UVA Health a best place to work.  

Team member participants benefit from the opportunity to grow and develop their leadership skills, positioning them for advancement in their respective careers. What’s more, by creating a pipeline of exceptionally trained leaders, we expect to enhance the UVA Health experience of all team members.  

By offering innovative opportunities for leadership development, we can also enhance our ability to attract and retain team members.  

Who is leading the HLI? 

The HLI was founded under the auspices of the UVA Health Strategic Plan and UVA Health Chief Strategy Officer and Interim UVA Health Children’s Chief, Jason Lineen, MBA. Lineen serves as executive sponsor, while Brian Hunter, MHA, serves as the executive director of the leadership institute, and as a director of system strategy for UVA Health. Hunter oversees program building, implementation, and ongoing development of the institute. C. Michael Valentine, MD, is the Senior Director of the institute and regularly leads sessions in the curriculum. A cardiologist by training, Dr. Valentine has demonstrated passion for leadership development, pioneering his own leadership program within the American College of Cardiology. Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development at UVA School of Medicine Sue Pollart, MD, and Chief Administrative Officer of UVA Health University Medical Center Abdi Somo, MBA, serve as champions and key stakeholders. The HLI also is supported by an advisory council composed of experts from across the University. 

How can I learn more about the HLI experience? 

Read the firsthand account of the HLI experience through the eyes of Frannie Barnes, Communications Manager, UVA Community Health, and a member of the second HLI cohort.   

• ‘Nothing Short of Transformative’: My Journey in the UVA Health Leadership Institute 
• Leading Self to Leading Others 
• Leading Healthcare: The Culmination of the Second UVA Health Leadership Institute Cohort 

Candidacy and Curriculum 

Who is the ideal candidate for the cohort leadership program starting fall 2026? 

The ideal candidate has demonstrated above-average leadership potential, is invested in their career at UVA Health, and shown a strong commitment to our ASPIRE values. They may already hold a leadership position or be striving to attain one in the near future. Team members from all departments and all health system entities are eligible. 

We believe it is never too early or too late to begin your leadership journey, and we value the diverse perspectives that different levels of experience bring to our cohorts. Therefore, there are no minimum or maximum work experience requirements to apply. 

What can participants expect to get out of this program? 

Participants in the leadership cohort can expect to: 

• Learn from leading experts on a variety of leadership topics, including healthcare-specific issues. 
• Gain skills that enable a pathway to future leadership opportunities at UVA Health. 
• Build relationships with senior leaders and a cohort of peers from across the organization. 
• Gain greater exposure to health system operations. 

What will the curriculum cover? 

Participants will learn from leading experts on a variety of leadership issues. Tentative topics include: 

• Leadership Styles and DiSC Communication 
• Conflict Management and Crucial Conversations 
• Influence and Negotiation 
• Public Speaking and Executive Presence 
• The Business of Healthcare and Healthcare Finance 
• Change Management 
• Strategic Planning 

Participants will also complete an individual or group capstone project, which they will present to their fellow cohort members, colleagues, and health system leadership at graduation in May 2027. 

What is the time commitment to participate in this program? 

The tentative schedule for the cohort has participants meeting monthly for eight months, starting in October 2026 through May 2027. The first and last convenings will be a full day and the remaining sessions will be half days (tentative schedule below). There will be some modest time required for reading and capstone projects outside of class time.  

Tentative Cohort Schedule (subject to change): 

• Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 
• Nov. 18, 11-5 p.m. 
• Dec. 16, 11-5 p.m. 
• Jan. 20, 11-5 p.m. 
• Feb. 17, 11-5 p.m. 
• March 17, 11-5 p.m. 
• April 21, 11-5 p.m. 
• May 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  

Can I participate remotely? Will I need to travel? 

The cohort will meet in person in Charlottesville. If you apply and are selected, you are expected to attend all eight sessions. 

How much does this program cost? 

There is no fee to participate in this program. 

Application Process and Timeline 

How can I learn more about the cohort leadership program?  

• Watch a recording of the virtual information session from Tuesday, April 7, 12:15-1 p.m. to learn more about the program’s many benefits and what you can expect from the curriculum. 
  • The session features first-person perspectives from HLI alumni and current cohort members serving in a variety of roles across the health system.
  • Watch video. (Passcode: 8z.VY7d4)
• Contact the HLI team at HLI@uvahealth.org.  

How do I apply for the cohort? 

Applications may be completed online starting April 1. The application requires a current CV/resume be submitted and the completion of several short essay questions. All applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the team member’s supervisor. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, May 8, 2026. 

What is the application timeline and how will participants be selected? 

Applications will open on April 1 and the deadline for submitting them is end of day Friday, May 8, 2026. A committee composed of HLI Advisory Council Members from across UVA Health and the University will select the participants for the cohort. The selected cohort members will be notified by email in July.  

How many team members will be selected for the cohort?  

The cohort will be composed of ~40 team members. We anticipate a high level of interest that will exceed available space, but please note that this is one of multiple offerings from HLI and more programming will follow in 2026 and 2027. 

If I applied previously and was not selected, do I have to reapply for this cohort?  

Given the nature of the program and that subsequent cohorts may be aimed at different career paths or audiences, new applications are necessary for each cohort.  

I have questions. Who can answer them? 

Please contact HLI@uvahealth.org with any questions.