James Johnston, M.D., professor and division director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery recently graduated from the UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA)

After completing 80 coursework hours, Johnston and his team presented their project titled, “Coaching as a Tool to Improve Junior Clinical Faculty Retention.” 

The HLA provides a cohesive and comprehensive program that offers training opportunities that help participants develop essential leadership skills.

As members of the 2025 cohort, Johnston was able to gain a new perspective on critical leadership and managerial issues and a deeper understanding and awareness of concepts and techniques relevant to management.

According to UAB, “The HLA was founded on the premise that the future of academic health systems will be led and managed by clinicians and executives who operate at the frontiers of medicine and possess the leadership skills required to guide their organization into an increasingly complex future.”

​​Program participants are selected by an advisory board and based on recognition for their potential to assume more challenging leadership positions within the next two to four years.