The only constant in health care is change
This challenge requires essential hospital leaders to think strategically, anticipate shifts, and adapt. Leaders must make a commitment to understand the big picture, challenge the status quo, be sensitive to the populations they serve, and apply sound decision-making to provide high-quality care for all.
For more than 35 years, the Siegel Fellows Leadership Program has brought essential hospital leaders together to unflinchingly look at the enormous challenges they face and provide the tools necessary to meet them. The program includes a network of more than 800 alumni, many of whom are now national health care thought leaders.
This 12-month program is designed for rising senior leaders in significant clinical or administrative roles at member hospitals. The program aims to educate participants on issues that affect essential hospitals and provide the skills needed to lead strategically and advocate for policies and resources that promote high-quality health care for all.
Program Goals
- Strengthen the skills needed to strategically lead essential hospitals
- Broaden participants’ knowledge and outlook on issues facing essential hospitals
- Inspire participants to become champions and advocates for excellence in health care for all
- Build and sustain a network of health care leaders among association members
Member of the current class?
Program Components
- Leadership development training: The program comprises three highly interactive in-person classroom sessions (each two to three days) that include case studies, group work, and lectures from essential hospital leaders and subject experts.
- Self-assessment: Each participant will have the opportunity to assess their leadership strengths and weaknesses and discover opportunities to improve upon weak areas.
- Project: Each participant will work on a project of importance to their organization and have the opportunity to showcase their project among their peers.
- Site visit: Participants will visit another member hospital to learn about innovative programming focused on population health, operational efficiency, improving patient outcomes, financial strategies, and improvements in the workforce.
- Distance learning: Between in-person sessions, Fellows will participate in peer group coaching and supplemental activities. Participants will tap into their peers’ knowledge to problem-solve and discuss topics of importance. Participants also will stay informed about other association opportunities, such as webinars, interest groups, and affinity groups.
- Networking: The program includes networking opportunities with leaders across the membership who share a similar mission, as well as social activities outside of the classroom.
- America’s Essential Hospitals’ events: Participants will attend the association’s Federal Advocacy Assembly, including visits with congressional delegations on Capitol Hill.
Who Should Participate?
The Siegel Fellows Leadership Program is open to all member hospital employees. Admission is selective. Applicants should be rising senior leaders who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a commitment to the mission of essential hospitals, and a willingness to learn with and from their peers. Siegel Fellows are expected to actively contribute their experiences and perspectives, engage with colleagues across disciplines and organizations, participate fully in all in-person sessions, and help create a trusted learning community throughout the 12-month program.
Teams of at least two candidates from each organization are encouraged to apply to create a core group for future initiatives.
Key Dates
- Sept. 28, 2026: Applications open for the 2027–2028 class
- Nov. 30, 2026: Applications due for the 2027–2028 class
- Dec. 15, 2026: Applicants will be notified of acceptance
- March 30–April 1, 2027: Session 1 Leadership Convening, held in New Orleans,
- Week of Aug. 9, 2027: Session 2, held in Hollywood, Fla.
- February 2028: Session 3, held in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the association’s Federal Advocacy Assembly
Program Cost
Tuition is $18,500, which includes:
- Three in-person sessions
- Access to leading health care experts and association member CEOs
- Curriculum materials
- Some meals
- A hospital site visit
- America’s Essential Hospitals Federal Advocacy Assembly registration
- Distance learning activities between sessions
Each participant’s sponsoring organization is responsible for travel and lodging expenses.
Refund policy: Participants will be invoiced in January. Tuition fees are nonrefundable within 45 days of Session 1.
NOMINATION PROCESS
Each applicant must be nominated by the organization’s CEO. If the applicant is accepted, America’s Essential Hospitals will partner with the participant’s sponsor and direct supervisor to optimize the program’s benefit to the participant and his or her sponsoring organization. The sponsor can be the organization’s CEO, another senior leader, or the participant’s direct supervisor. Each sponsor/direct supervisor will attest their commitment to:
- Support each Fellow’s participation in program activities
- Meet with the Fellow(s) regularly to discuss program progress and projects
- Help Fellow(s) identify a meaningful project and provide guidance throughout the program
Questions?
Please contact Senior Manager of Education Vashon Coehins at vcoehins@essentialhospitals.org.