Susan Lane, MD, MACP, a SUNY distinguished service professor and professor of medicine at the Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM), has been selected as a fellow for the 2025-26 Class of the Hedwig van Amerigen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program. Organized by Drexel University College of Medicine, this program aims to prepare women for senior leadership roles in academic health institutions.
The ELAM program targets senior women faculty at the associate or full professor level who show potential for taking executive leadership positions at academic health centers within the next five years. Attaining fellowship requires nomination and support from a dean or another senior official from one's institution. Dr. Lane was nominated and supported by multiple senior-level officials.
The program is designed to develop professional and personal leadership skills, with attention to the unique challenges faced by women leaders. Dr. Lane, who also serves as vice chair of education in the Department of Medicine and associate dean for clinical faculty development at RSOM, expressed her honor in being selected: “I am honored to be selected to this 2025-26 Class of ELAM Fellows, and during my career at Stony Brook Medicine I have endeavored to support women in their individual academic journeys and pave the way for them to serve in educational leadership positions.”
The new class of ELAM fellows starts in June 2025 with online assignments and community-building activities. Fellows will create Institutional Action Projects that they will present at a symposium in 2026. Dr. Lane has been with RSOM since 2000 and intends to develop a longitudinal program for junior faculty transitioning from trainees to full faculty members.
ELAM's leadership training approach is well-regarded in the academic health community, with over 1,600 alumni in leadership roles at about 300 academic health centers globally. Tara Huston, MD, a professor of surgery and dermatology at RSOM, is among the current ELAM fellows.