Rebecca Burbridge, MD, assistant professor of medicine (Gastroenterology), attended the 3rd annual Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Retreat, part of a 12-month leadership program, earlier this summer, which is hosted by the American Society for Gastroentergology Endoscopy.
The retreat brought together 19 female gastroenterologists from around the country for a 1-1/2 day program focused on crucial conversations, work/life integration and negotiation strategies. Expert speakers from prestigious universities presented ideas and strategies to help participants develop skills and techniques to enhance leadership opportunities within their organizations and ASGE.
ASGE created the LEAD program to develop and mentor female junior gastroenterologists from all ethnic and social backgrounds by enhancing and energizing their leadership and career development skills through education, coaching and building professional networks. Program participants are nominated by current ASGE leadership, and current or former LEAD members. Participants must also be active members of the Society, and have the potential and desire to invest time and energy into developing their leadership skills during the 12-month program. The next event for the 2016 LEAD participants will be a half day session at EndoFest 2016 in September to focus on understanding and enhancing personal leadership traits.