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Faculty Focus Leadership Development Program Celebrates First Cohort Graduation

The Office of Faculty Affairs celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Faculty Focus Leadership Development Program (FFLDP) on September 19, 2025.

Designed in partnership with leadershipForward, the program featured monthly sessions led by nationally recognized experts. Each session concentrated on a key leadership topic and included discussion tailored to UMMC’s unique challenges and priorities. Participants engaged in self-assessments, one-on-one coaching, case studies, interactive discussions, and completed a capstone project to apply their learning to a challenge within UMMC.

The first cohort’s journey was characterized by deep engagement, personal growth, and a shared commitment to advancing UMMC’s mission.

“It’s rare to have time away from the normal demands of work to focus on what it means to lead and to learn how to do so with intentionality and integrity. The content and skills gained have been formative, but the friendships among our cohort have truly been transformative,” said Lyssa Weatherly, MD.

Melissa Scholes, MD added, “It was a truly transformational experience that deepened my growth as a leader and sparked a lasting interest in the academic, human-centered, and data-driven study of leadership science — work I’m eager to apply to strengthen and enhance UMMC.”  

Thank you for joining us in congratulating the first FFLDP cohort on their outstanding achievement!

                                     FFLDP 

Faculty Focus Leadership Development Program, Cohort 1 (Pictured left to right, front to back row)

  • Melissa Scholes, MD, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Surgeon-in-Chief, Children’s Hospital and Chief, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Donna Platt, PhD, Director, Division of Neurobiology and Behavior Research, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, School of Medicine
  • Youssef Al Hmada, MD, Vice Chair Anatomic Pathology & Education, Chief of Anatomic Pathology, and Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine
  • Lyssa Weatherly, MD, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine
  • Austin Harrison, MD, Vice Chair of Faculty Development and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine
  • Mildred Ridgway, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Adult Hospitals and Division Chair and Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
  • Kristi Moore, PhD, Chair and Professor, Department of Radiologic Sciences, School of Health Related Professions and Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine
  • Driscoll P. DeVaul, DHA, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Assistant Professor, Department of Health Sciences, School of Health Related Professions
  • Seth Kalin, MD, Program Director and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, School of Medicine
  • Natalie Gaughf, PhD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs ,and Professor, Family Medicine, SOM and Population Health Science, SOPH
  • Brad Ingram, MD, Chair, Department of Neurology and Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, School of Medicine
  • Zeb Henson, MD, Medical Chief of Staff and Professor, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine