Overview

Rising Leaders is an online-only leadership development program to empower healthcare professionals specializing in infectious diseases and HIV. We welcome all healthcare professionals eager to advance their early careers and build a foundation for leadership success. Through this program, you will embark on a journey of growth and development, obtaining effective strategies to overcome challenges and establish a framework for a successful career. You will work with a certified career and leadership coach to pave the way for your future success as a healthcare leader. Join Rising Leaders and emerge as the healthcare leader you aspire to be!

• Registration opens on Monday, July 14.
• The course runs from Tuesday, September 2 through Friday, November 21.
  • After registering for the course, your will immediately receive access to the Rising Leaders registration module. It is important that you complete this module no later than Saturday, August 30. 
  • All other modules will become available on Tuesday, September 2. 
  • All asynchronous materials will remain accessible to registrants until July 15, 2026.

Registration will close on Saturday, August 30, or after 40 individuals have registered, whichever comes first. To provide a high-quality experience, each coaching cohort is limited to 10 participants. We encourage interested individuals to register as soon as possible to secure their desired coaching schedule.

Program Highlights

• Group Coaching: Unlock your leadership potential with seven transformative one-hour group coaching sessions, a cornerstone of Rising Leaders. Guided by certified career, life, or leadership development coach, these intimate groups of 5 to 10 members foster a dynamic environment for growth and collaboration. This flagship feature, valued at $1750, cultivates practical skills and insights, propelling you toward your career aspirations with clarity and confidence.
• Leadership Skill Self-Assessment: Enhance your self-awareness with the scientifically validated Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI - Self, 5th Edition®). This 30-item self-assessment, bolstered by over three decades of consistent research, offers leaders an invaluable tool to delve into specific leadership behaviors. It paves the way for purposeful leadership development, helping you realize and shape your unique leadership style. As part of this opportunity, we are also offering registrants the opportunity to participate in an additional, one hour group coaching session with a trained LPI coach; participants will analyze their LPI results and create action plans to strengthen key leadership behaviors.
• Flexible Asynchronous Learning Modules: Designed by esteemed leaders in infectious diseases, our comprehensive asynchronous modules lay the groundwork for early career success. These self-paced resources, including interactive discussion boards, webinars, and curated readings, allow you to absorb foundational knowledge at your convenience. Tailored to maximize early career opportunities, these modules serve as a vital stepping stone in your professional journey, equipping you with the expertise to excel in the field.

Program Format

The course is organized into two-week units. In the first week, learners will complete the asynchronous modules, and in the second week, they will take part in a group coaching session that aligns with the theme from the previous week. 

Asynchronous Modules

Each unit begins with a series of asynchronous e-learning modules tailored to accommodate the busy schedule of an ID specialist. You can pause and resume at your convenience. All content was prepared by a team of ID leaders, edited by IDSA staff, and reviewed by the IDSA Leadership Institute Subcommittee. Modules may include:

• Webinars
• Discussion boards
• Aligned readings
• Interactive activities
• References to valuable external articles and videos
• Downloadable resources

Unless an activity is marked as (optional), our coaches will assume that you have completed the assigned activities each week.

Topics include:

• Coaching & Mentoring
• Leadership Fundamentals
• Communication & Conflict
• Problem Solving & Project Management
• Inclusion Leadership

For a detailed description of each topic area please see the Themes & Schedule section below.

Group Coaching

Each unit of our program culminates in a dynamic group coaching session, expertly led by an infectious diseases specialist who is also a certified coach. While these sessions align thematically with our asynchronous content, they are uniquely customized to the specific needs and dynamics of each group. As the program progresses, these sessions adapt and evolve, focusing on the developmental areas most crucial to you and your peers. This creates an immersive experience in real-time group dynamics, offering a platform to gain diverse perspectives, practice new skills in a supportive environment, and forge a strong network and accountability system. Each session spans one hour, fostering continual engagement and interaction within your cohort throughout the program, enhancing both learning and connection.

Participants can choose from four coaches to find the best schedule and coach for their personal and professional development. To learn more about our coaches, visit the Faculty tab at the top of this page.

Important Registration Information

We strongly encourage you to confirm the availability of your preferred coach/coaching schedule before registering for the Rising Leaders course. Registration is limited to 40 individuals, and each coaching schedule is limited to 10. 

To confirm availability, click the link next to your preferred coach. If registration for that schedule is closed, the form will indicate 'CLOSED.' If the schedule is available, it will simply show a registration form.

• Lyssette Cardona, MD: Check Availability
• Joshua Hartzell, MD: Check Availability
• Susan Rehm, MD: Check Availability
• Julie Trivedi, MD: Check Availability

Before registering for a coaching schedule, you must register for the Rising Leaders course in IDSA Academy by clicking the "Register" button at the top of this pagve. If you attempt to register for a coaching schedule before completing the course registration, your coaching registration will be rejected, and you will need to submit a new one after registering for the course.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] before registering.

Themes & Schedule

The Rising Leaders program is structured around thematic units that are delivered in two-week periods. It covers essential topics over the scheduled time frame. Learners are expected to complete all of the asynchronous modules for each unit before attending their coaching session during the second week of each unit. All asynchronous modules are listed below.

Registration: July 14 to August 30

The "Registration" period includes several brief asynchronous modules for learners to complete. These modules introduce learners to the course, guide them through the coach registration process, and provide an overview of the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® model and the Leadership Practices Inventory® Self-Assessment used in the course.

Orientation: September 2 to September 5

Through guided reflection, group dialogue, and self-assessment, participants explore key leadership principles, clarify their coaching goals, and deepen awareness of their strengths. The unit sets the tone for growth by fostering trust, encouraging intentional action, and connecting personal insight to leadership development.

Coaching, Mentoring, and Sponsoring: September 8 to September 19

Participants differentiate between directive and non-directive approaches, understand growth and fixed mindsets, and identify effective coaching behaviors and strategies. Additionally, the unit provides valuable insights on structuring a personal board of directors.

The Fundamentals of Leadership Development: September 22 to October 3

Participants distinguish leadership from management, explore major leadership theories, and examine how emotional intelligence and adaptability shape effective leadership. Through values-based reflection and peer dialogue, participants identify what drives their behavior and how to lead with greater intention.

As part of our Fundamentals of Leadership Development unit, we are offering an additional coaching opportunity with a Trained LPI Coach for participants to analyze their LPI results and create action plans to strengthen key leadership behaviors. This opportunity will be offered twice and participants can select the date that works best for their schedule.

Important Information

Leadership Practices Inventory: Quantitative Coaching (all times Eastern)

• Friday, September 26 at 2:00 pm
• Friday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m.

An Introduction to Communication and Conflict: October 6 to October 17

Participants explore how communication skills shape effective leadership, emphasizing the value of relational coordination and emotional intelligence in navigating tension and building trust. They examine conflict styles, distinguish between types of conflict, and analyze how mindset influences communication.

Problem-Solving and Project Management: October 20 to October 31

Participants develop a structured approach to problem-solving and a thorough understanding of the project lifecycle. They identify the specific responsibilities of a project manager at each stage of the project management process, and reflect on the essential skills and competencies required for effective project management.

Inclusion Leadership: November 3 to November 14

Participants engage in an in-depth exploration of race, racism, structural racism, and anti-racism, establishing a strong foundation for understanding intersectionality, equality, and equity. They learn to identify and address implicit bias, develop strategies for cultivating an inclusive culture, and implement actionable anti-racism plans. 

Coaching Conclusion: November 17 to November 21

This final coaching session will be unique to each cohort and serve as an opportunity for participants to embed learning, deepen connections, identify next steps in their leadership journey, and evaluate the Rising Leaders program.