Next Generation Leaders Fellowship
Supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation and Richard J. Umbdenstock ScholarshipsAmerica’s hospitals and health systems are transforming to meet the changing needs of our patients and our communities. It is vital that future healthcare leaders have the knowledge and skills to adapt while navigating these changes.
The AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship focuses on developing leaders and empowering them to bring about real and lasting change in the hospitals and health systems in which they serve. This annual fellowship is a unique opportunity to be paired with an executive-level mentor who will guide you through the planning and execution of a year-long capstone project at your hospital or health system, tackling key issues and challenges affecting healthcare affordability, cost, quality and safety.
Virtual Information Session
Join this virtual information session and Q&A on February 17, 2027, at 12 p.m. CT. with Admissions Directors, Jen Braun and Kara Schram to get all your fellowship questions answered before the application deadline on March 31, 2027.
We Will Cover
- Program details, including curriculum, networking opportunities and capstone project information
- Available scholarships and eligibility
- Admission criteria and the application process
- Current fellows and alumni will also be available to answer questions
From Fellowship to Leadership: Fellows Share Career Growth Stories
Alumni of the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship share how the fellowship is shaping their careers and inspiring them to drive change in healthcare. With guidance from mentors and hands-on learning, they developed lasting skills and insights that continue to inform their leadership.
From Fellowship to Leadership: Fellows Share Career Growth Stories
Nurturing Talent: The ROI of the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship
Learn, Engage, Accelerate and Disrupt Health Care
Establishing Connections
Participating in Interactive, Collaborative Learning
Gaining the Skills to Lead and Navigate Change
Benefits
For Fellows
- Participate in Interactive, Collaborative Learning
Experience a transformational learning environment where participants engage with a community of experts and peers to solve complex problems both online and in-person. - Establish Lifelong Networking Connections with Peers and Mentors
Network and make professional connections with peers, mentors and expert faculty. A mentor will be matched to each Fellow in order to provide personalized coaching and guidance throughout the program. - Manage Change in the Face of Uncertainty
Gain the skills to lead behavioral and system-based changes within your organization. - Improve Value in Health Care
Gain leadership skills through the execution of a project that will provide value to your organization.
For Organizations
- Gain Solutions to Current Challenges Your Organization is Facing
Fellows will be working on a project that will benefit their organization’s strategic needs. - Strengthen Your Organization’s Leadership Capability
Fellows become more valuable to their organizations from day one, because they bring back new ways to look at challenges and leadership skills that are immediately applicable. - Develop New and Stronger Connections to the Field
Not only do Fellows gain new perspectives and insights by working closely with peers and mentors, they also form relationships that outlast the program. By forging long-lasting bonds with equally ambitious and often like-minded professionals, Fellows bring connections and resources back to their organizations, in addition to the knowledge they acquire. - Increase Employee Retention
Developing high-potential employees pays off in retention, innovation and succession planning. Studies have shown that employees whose organizations invest in their professional development remain loyal to their current employers for the long-term, both securing and extending your return on this investment.
Class of 2026 | Capstone Highlights
EVS Turnover Reduction
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Scholarships Available
The John A. Hartford Foundation provides 12 scholarships for a cohort of Age-Friendly Fellows. These fellows work towards providing enhanced care to older adults by reliably implementing a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care, known as the 4Ms Framework, at their organization.
The AHA's Richard J. Umbdenstock Scholarship will support up to five scholarships for high-potential leaders at AHA member hospitals and state and local hospital associations. Awardees will focus their capstone projects on improving access to care.