By Denise Williams| News & Views

The cream always rises to the top, so the idiom goes.  

Literally, the verbiage describes how cream poured in tea or coffee eventually moves to the surface. Figuratively, it speaks to the understanding that talented individuals — by virtue of their skills, work ethic, and/or moral fortitude — will be recognized for their worth and ultimately become successful. 

Through its new Leadership Development Academy (LEAD), AACVPR aims to help the “cream” of the cardiopulmonary community recognize that potential. The first cohort of the immersive training program includes 50 participants, including three who have agreed to share their experience along the way. A previous article introduced Kasey Jepsen-Large, MA, CEP, CCRP, FCSCR; Vanessa Pahlad-Singh, MS, CCRP; and Gregory Scharf, BS, CEP, CCRP, three professionals who tell us what’s on their minds now that they’ve had time to lean into LEAD. At this point — about two months into the seven-month curriculum — they and the other participants have already completed four of the eight educational modules and taken part in two of four scheduled cohort meetings. The requirements are stacked on top of responsibilities at their jobs in the field; but, by all accounts, the time and energy demanded of them appears to have been worthwhile to date. 

Good Timing 

Pahlad-Singh recalls hearing about LEAD for the first time at AACVPR’s 39th Annual Meeting in Anaheim last year and knowing right away that this program was something she wanted — and needed. Over time, the dedication of the leaders in her sphere of influence has fueled her own interest in leadership. By pure chance, LEAD was announced at time when Montefiore Medical Center was expanding from a single CEP model to one with a supervised team. Pahlad-Singh recognized the intersection of want and need, and didn’t hesitate, calling it “the perfect opportunity to step into a supervisory role and to develop into the kind of leader I aspired to become.” She admits that time management has been tough but underscores the undeniable and “deeply satisfying” payoff: a significantly expanded knowledge base and a refined leadership style. “The practical tools and insights provided in each module have been immediately applicable,” she says, also complimenting the “thoughtful” design of the curriculum. “I’ve implemented several concepts in real-time.” Pahlad-Singh lists several examples: conducting her first one-on-one staff meetings; developing structured agendas; working towards improving program productivity; and engaging with administrators on topics from payor mix and program costs to expansion and challenges related to data collection. What she learns through LEAD, Pahlad-Singh confides, she also shares with her staff and administrators, who double as her personal cheerleaders. The team eagerly anticipates the weekly updates on her most recent learnings through the program. With that positive energy, coupled with consistent support, constructive feedback, and ongoing encouragement from Academy leaders, Pahlad-Singh feels she’s on track toward her goal of leading “with clarity, purpose, and confidence.” 

Making It Official 

While aspects of her work entail “guiding a team, driving initiatives, and supporting others in their development” — but in an “untitled” capacity — Jepsen-Large sees LEAD as the vehicle that will help her eventually cross over into a formal program management role. With that goal in mind, she is particularly excited to immerse herself in topics including financial management and human resources. Like Pahlad-Singh, she appreciates the course directors’ approach to education. “It’s thoughtfully designed, highly relevant, and everything we’re learning is practical — whether you work in a large hospital system, like me, or a physician’s office,” Jepsen-Large elaborates. “The LEAD coursework has pushed me to think more critically about how I lead, and to reflect on how I communicate and influence others.” The live cohort meetings and cohort discussion boards, she adds, have only elevated the experience. “Being able to meet with the course presenters to ask questions, dive deeper into the content, and gain their insights in real time” has proven invaluable, Jepsen-Large declares, but what she perhaps loves most is the interaction at the peer level. “I’ve been able to connect with others who are navigating similar challenges in their programs,” she notes. “It’s been incredibly energizing to share ideas, get feedback, and be part of a group of motivated, like-minded professionals who are all striving to grow and lead more effectively." 

Putting a Cap on It 

Jepsen-Large’s experience with shared problem-solving is echoed by Gregory Scharf, who reports that the first couple of cohort meetings fired up creative thinking among participants and revealed helpful perspectives. The “engaging and insightful” networking conversations, he continues, also reinforced the fact that many of the outstanding challenges in cardiopulmonary rehab are not unique to one program. “Hearing how others have overcome these barriers has allowed me to think about how they can be overcome in my program,” he says.  The crowning jewels of the LEAD program — participants’ capstone projects, to be unveiled at the AACVPR 40th Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida — embody the give-and-take spirit and experience of shared knowledge, in Scharf’s opinion. “I am most excited to see other capstone projects and hopeful to have my own capstone help others to continually strive to enhance their program,” he says.