VCU professor selected for national leadership program for women in medicine

By Laura Arbogast

RICHMOND, Va. – Karen Sanders, M.D., professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been chosen to participate in the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program for Women. The national program prepares women for senior leadership positions at academic health centers, Sanders is the fourth VCU faculty member to be selected since the program was launched in 1994.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with women leaders from around the country," Sanders said. "One of the advantages of this program is learning from other women and then bringing that shared knowledge back to benefit our school."

Sanders is well-known in the School of Medicine as being the driving force behind several key initiatives. As a founding member of the Medical College of Virginia Women in Medicine Faculty Organization, Sanders has played a major role in the group’s community collaborations and its award-winning annual conference, "Pathways to Leadership." She also chairs the medical school’s committee on the Status of Women and Minorities, which tracks representation of minorities and advocates key issues to faculty and administrators.

Sanders is one of 45 women selected to participate in ELAM this year. The program begins in September and will include a year long fellowship focusing on the skills, perspectives and knowledge for effective management in academic health centers. During the year, the women will participate in sessions focusing on financial management, strategic planning and how to deal with emerging issues as well as personal professional development.

Program administrators select participants on the merits of their project plan proposals. Sanders submitted a proposal to improve communication between the VCU School of Medicine and the Veterans Administration Hospital, where she serves as associate chief of staff for education. This will be the main focus of her fellowship, which begins in September.

H.H. Newsome, M.D., dean of VCU’s School of Medicine, also recommended her.

"ELAM is arguably the best leadership development program for women in medicine in the country," Newsome said. "It is an exceptional testament to the quality of our faculty that we have had four women chosen to participate in the past seven years. Dr. Sanders has a breadth of knowledge unique to most administrators and we are proud that she has the opportunity to participate in this highly selective program."