ABM would like to acknowledge and thank the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their generous support of this program.

What is the ABM Leadership Academy?

The ABM Leadership Academy is a 10-month program is designed to provide participants with transferable leadership skills, engage with breastfeeding medicine experts through mentoring, and enhance breastfeeding advocacy abilities focused on supporting under-served communities, addressing racial disparities, and healthcare equity and access.

Selected participants should expect to develop leadership skills that enhance their:

• Clinical roles and responsibilities
• Work and ability to lead effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Necessary skills and knowledge for career advancement
• Understanding of volunteer leadership competencies
• Comprehension and knowledge of racial disparities and health inequities within healthcare and specifically breastfeeding medicine
• Ability to advocate for the specialty of breastfeeding medicine within their institutions and communities

All selected participants will also complete a leadership project.

What are Leadership Projects?

To utilize the leadership training and education conducted throughout the Leadership Academy, all participants will complete an individual leadership project. These projects should involve leadership activities such as working with a team or gathering support of stakeholders.

Potential projects should be focused in the field of breastfeeding medicine, supporting the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine through innovation, addressing racial and health inequities, and advocacy.

What are the components of the Leadership Academy?

If you’re selected to participate in the ABM Leadership Academy, you commit to:

• Maintaining my ABM membership status
• Volunteer with ABM within the next year
• Engaging in a full day kick off workshop at the 2021 Annual International Meeting in Schaumburg, IL, USA
• Participating in a full-day workshop in May at ABM Headquarters in Chicago, IL, USA (travel permitting)
• Completion of leadership project

What are the dates for the 2021 - 2022 ABM Leadership Academy?

* Please note: This time is in Central Standard Time (CST), as the Kickoff Workshop will be held in person in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA.

Who can apply?

The ABM Leadership Academy eligibility requirements are:

• ABM member in good standing (Accepted applicants must maintain their ABM membership through 2022.)
• Current medical resident/fellow, MD, DO, MBBS, DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy
• Must reside in the United States, Mexico, or Haiti. (The geographic parameters are based upon the grant support for this program. Please note that we will explore how to make this available globally in the near future.)
• Able to commit to participate in the 10-month program and complete all program requirements.

Is there a fee to participate? Is financial assistance available?

Yes. If your application is accepted, there is a tuition fee which covers the following program expenses:

• 2021 Annual International Meeting registration fee
• Flight and hotel accommodations (2 nights) to the 2021 Annual International Meeting
• Flight and hotel accommodations (2 nights) to the face-to-face meeting (tentatively scheduled for May 2022).
• Face-to-face and online programming
• Program materials

Tuition Fees:

• United States: $1000 USD
• Mexico: $350 USD
• Haiti: $350 USD

Tuition Fees are the responsibility of the applicant. In order to make this program as accessible as possible, ABM is pleased to be able to offer needs-based scholarships. You may apply for these scholarships inside the application process.

How do I apply?

The ABM Leadership Academy application is now available. To apply, click the button below. Please note that partially completed applications will not be accepted. Applications are closed.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Applicants can contact staff at [email protected] with any questions.