Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has been selected to collaborate with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) to implement a national fellowship program in Memphis that will help train the next generation of community health leaders. The RWJF Ladder to Leadership program aims to boost the skills and capabilities of early-to-mid-level professionals working in health and health-related nonprofit organizations so they will be positioned to lead organizations as many nonprofit leaders retire.

Over the next several months, RWJF, CCL and the national advisory committee of the Ladder to Leadership program will select 30 fellows who work in Memphis to take part in the 16-month leadership curriculum. Fellows will participate in face-to-face training sessions, individualized executive coaching and team project work.

“The program will offer excellent training to the emerging nonprofit leaders in Memphis, not only enhancing their professional growth but helping our community grow a cadre of skilled health professionals to provide needed leadership,” said Paula Jacobson, president of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation.

The nonprofit sector, like many industries and sectors, is facing an impending exodus of senior leaders who plan to retire in the coming years. A study by the Bridgespan Group estimated that by 2016, nonprofit groups will need approximately 80,000 new senior managers each year. According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there were 1.4 million nonprofit organizations in the United States in 2006.

“Nonprofit organizations are a critical part of health care and service delivery in this country. It is important we work with current leaders to build a pipeline of qualified future CEOs and executive directors, so we do not lose the vision and capacity needed to continue to do this work effectively in the future,” said Sallie Petrucci George, M.P.H., program officer at RWJF. “We are committed to investing in tomorrow’s nonprofit leaders to make sure they receive the training they need to best serve those at-risk communities.”

Memphis was one of nine sites selected across the country to participate in the program. It was chosen because of its diversity and unique health care needs. Other criteria included census and demographic information, community-based needs for public health leadership development, and commitment of local community partners.

“We believe this program will have a powerful and lasting impact on individual leaders and their organizations,” said Karen Dyer, director of CCL’s Education and Nonprofit Sector. “By design, the program encourages fellows to apply new skills and innovative solutions to problems in their communities as these skills are learned. So they are giving back to the community as they go.”

To become a fellow, applicants must demonstrate a record of accomplishment within the nonprofit sector, potential for leadership in the nonprofit health or health care field, and a proven commitment to serving at-risk groups. Learn more about who is eligible and how to apply. 

Classes will be held for those who want to learn more about the fellowship program on Wednesday, February 3 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, 1900 Union Avenue and on Thursday, February 4 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Memphis Jewish Community Center, 6560 Poplar Ave. Each class is one and a half hours long.

The application process will last two months and the chosen applicants will be announced in July. This fellowship is open to anyone in the Mid-South region, including Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton counties in Tennessee; DeSoto, Tate, Marshall, Tunica and Coahoma counties in Mississippi and Crittenden County in Arkansas.

The program is aimed at emerging leaders at small to medium-sized nonprofits, so Methodist employees are not eligible.

“Methodist is serving as the local sponsor, because it is the right thing to do to improve the health status of our community,” said Jacobson.

Methodist will work with United Way and Healthy Memphis Common Table to recruit the fellows.