Designed Exclusively for UCI Health Leaders

Tailored program combining the latest research and best practices with UCI Health's specific context and strategy.

UC Irvine Paul Merage Alumni Status

Receive Alumni Status upon completion and join 18,000+ alumni worldwide

Tangible Outcomes

Develop a playbook for leading change and driving culture

Fostering Strategic Alignment Around Shared Values, Mission, and Vision

Designed to cultivate leaders who can unify their teams and the broader organization by driving alignment around UCI Health’s core values, mission, and vision. Leaders will learn how to embed these foundational elements into their decision-making processes and day-to-day operations, ensuring that every action reflects the organization’s commitment to providing transformative care. Through workshops and collaborative exercises, participants will work to develop a shared sense of purpose, fostering cohesion and ensuring that their leadership supports UCI Health’s long-term goals.

Empowering Leaders to Drive Transformative Care and Innovation

Equips participants with the tools, techniques, and insights needed to lead innovative strategies that will shape the future of healthcare. Through interactive learning and real-world projects, leaders will develop actionable strategies to enhance patient care, drive operational excellence, and promote organizational agility. This objective focuses on ensuring that every leader is not only prepared to respond to the current demands of healthcare but is also empowered to anticipate future challenges and opportunities.

Building a Collaborative Culture of Belonging and Innovation

Foster a deeper sense of belonging and inclusion within UCI Health, encouraging leaders to cultivate environments where collaboration thrives. Participants will engage in exercises and projects that highlight the importance of building strong, diverse teams capable of working across boundaries to achieve shared goals. This focus on inclusion ensures that leaders develop strategies that harness the power of collective insight, resulting in a more resilient, innovative, and cohesive organization poised to serve its communities more effectively.

A Special UC Irvine Partnership 

UCI Health and the UC Irvine Leadership Development Institute at the Paul Merage School of Business are joining forces to delivery this world-class Academy. With the goal of empowering leaders to transform healthcare.

About the Academy

Step into the future of healthcare leadership with the UCI Health Leadership Academy: Creating the Future Together. This cutting-edge program is designed to empower leaders to not only navigate change but to actively drive it by aligning their teams and organizations around a shared purpose. Throughout the Academy, participants will explore how to unify their leadership approach around the values, mission, and vision of UCI Health—delivering transformative care to the communities we serve. By fostering a deeper connection to this shared purpose, leaders will enhance their ability to inspire and guide their teams toward delivering exceptional patient outcomes and long-term organizational success. Central to the Academy’s approach is the emphasis on creating a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. Leaders will work collaboratively on developing future-focused strategies that reinforce UCI Health’s commitment to innovation and community care. Through interactive sessions, peer coaching, and real-world projects, participants will actively shape strategies that align with UCI Health’s mission and values, forging a new path forward for healthcare.  By the end of this transformative experience, leaders will have gained the tools, insights, and alignment necessary to drive organizational cohesion and deliver on the promise of providing transformative, world-class care to the communities we represent. Together, we will create a future built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.

What you will gain

Enhanced Organizational Alignment

Participants will be empowered to align their teams with UCI Health’s core values, mission, and vision, fostering a unified approach to exceptional patient care and strategic goal achievement.

Increased Leadership Agility and Innovation

Graduates of the program will gain the skills to navigate complex healthcare challenges and drive innovative initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and position UCI Health as a leader in adaptability and forward-thinking excellence.

Strengthened Collaborative and Inclusive Culture

Graduates will be equipped to cultivate a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and belonging, enabling them to build high-performing, cohesive teams that leverage diverse perspectives to achieve shared goals and drive organizational success.

Curriculum

6 Chapters · 11 Lessons

  1. 1

    Module One: Foundations of Leadership & Organizational Culture

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome & Connection

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Defining Culture

  2. 2

    Module 2: Strategy Development and Prioritization

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Setting a Shared Direction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Strategy Session – Winning Through Growth

  3. 3

    Module 3: Leading Change and Transition

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Leading During Transition – Clarity

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Leading During Transition – Trust

  4. 4

    Module 4: Building Collaboration and Connections

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Structure & Collaborative Integration

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Networking & Building Connections

  5. 5

    Module 5: Sustaining Momentum and Managing Performance

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Resistance Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Driving Performance through Talent

  6. 6

    Module 6: Action Development Project

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Wrap-Up & Capstone Project

The Six-Month Academy Experience

Participants will embark on a transformative six-month journey designed to elevate their leadership abilities through experiential learning, ethnography, peer collaboration, and personalized coaching. Each month, they will engage in immersive five-hour modules that blend real-world challenges with interactive learning experiences. These sessions will allow them to apply leadership concepts directly to their daily responsibilities, fostering a deep connection between theory and practice. Through ethnographic exercises, participants will gain a firsthand understanding of UCI Health’s diverse environments, giving them the tools to analyze and influence the culture and dynamics of their own teams and departments. Peer learning will be a cornerstone of the experience, offering a collaborative environment where they can exchange ideas, share insights, and co-create solutions to the complex leadership challenges they face.

Module 1: Foundations of Leadership and Organizational Culture

The initial sessions of the program lay a strong foundation by introducing participants to UCI Health’s mission, vision, and values, fostering a shared understanding of the organization’s goals. The first session focuses on relationship-building through interactive activities, setting the stage for collaboration throughout the program. In the second session, participants will delve into the critical role of organizational culture in driving success, engaging in self-reflection and discussions to understand its influence on change management. Leaders will explore strategies to shape a culture that fosters innovation and excellence, ensuring alignment with UCI Health’s strategic objectives.

Module 2: Strategy Development and Prioritization

Participants will deepen their understanding of UCI Health’s mission and values, learning how to align them with strategic objectives to drive organizational success. Through panel discussions and small group activities, leaders will reflect on past experiences and explore ways to embed core values into daily operations. The program then shifts focus to strategic growth, where participants will analyze key initiatives, identify critical “must-win battles,” and prioritize efforts that will influence UCI Health’s future direction. Additionally, leaders from various sites will collaborate to align site-specific priorities with the broader organizational vision, fostering cohesion and ensuring a unified approach across all locations.

Module 3: Leading Change and Transition

Focus on equipping leaders with essential skills to navigate organizational transitions effectively. Participants will learn to provide clarity by defining clear goals, roles, and responsibilities, fostering a supportive environment that enhances employee engagement and retention. Emphasizing the critical role of trust during change, leaders will explore strategies to build and sustain trust through integrity, motivation, and effective stress management. Additionally, they will develop personalized self-care plans to maintain their well-being and leadership effectiveness throughout periods of transition.

Module 4: Building Collaboration and Connections

Focus on strengthening collaboration and relationship-building within UCI Health. Participants will explore strategies for fostering cross-disciplinary teamwork and improving communication across the organization’s multi-site structure, ensuring alignment with strategic goals through accountability and shared incentives. Additionally, they will learn the importance of informal networks in driving meaningful results, gaining insights into how professional relationships can be leveraged to catalyze change, enhance collaboration, and foster innovation across the organization.

Module 5: Sustaining Momentum and Managing Performance

Equipping leaders with the skills to effectively manage resistance and drive performance through talent. Participants will learn strategies to identify and address resistance to change, creating a supportive environment that encourages successful adoption and minimizes challenges. Additionally, they will explore best practices in hiring and performance management, emphasizing clear goal-setting, actionable feedback, and fostering a productive work culture that aligns with UCI Health’s strategic objectives and promotes both individual and organizational growth.

Module 6: Action Development Project

The final session culminates in a Capstone Project that integrates program learnings into a real-world strategic initiative. Participants will conduct ethnographic research—including fieldwork, interviews, and observations—to gain deep insights into UCI Health’s organizational dynamics, patient needs, and operational challenges. By applying leadership principles and strategic frameworks, they will collaboratively analyze data, assess opportunities, and develop actionable strategies aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term objectives. The program concludes with participants presenting their findings and recommendations to senior leadership, addressing key priorities such as growth, patient care improvements, and operational efficiencies.

World-Renown Faculty & Staff To Support Your Journey

The UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business boasts a distinguished faculty of world-renowned scholars and industry leaders who bring a wealth of expertise, innovation, and thought leadership to the classroom. With deep experience across a wide range of industries, our faculty members are dedicated to equipping participants with cutting-edge insights, data-driven strategies, and transformative leadership approaches tailored to the evolving healthcare landscape. Their commitment to excellence in teaching and research ensures that participants benefit from the latest industry trends, evidence-based practices, and a forward-thinking perspective that empowers them to drive meaningful impact within their organizations. Through engaging lectures, interactive discussions, and real-world applications, our faculty serve as trusted mentors, guiding participants on their journey to leadership excellence.

Prof. Maritza Salazar Campo, Ph.D.

Professor of Teaching, Organization and Management, Faculty Director, University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business

Prof. Noah Askin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Organization & Management, LDI Faculty Director, University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business

Prof. Violina Rindova, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Research and PhD Program Professor of Strategy, University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business 

Prof. Ian O. Williamson, Ph.D.

Dean, University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business

Mollee Elniski

Managing Director, University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business, Leadership Development Institute

Leah Walton

Director of Corporate & University Partnerships, University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business, Leadership Development Institute 

Building Future-Proof Leadership

Established in 2022 as a strategic evolution of the traditional executive education model, the UCI Leadership Development Institute (LDI) aims to develop future-proof leaders capable of driving radical transformation in a hyper changing world. Leveraging UCI’s rich heritage of academic excellence and a forward-thinking approach, LDI serves as a catalyst for innovation by equipping executives, entrepreneurs, and change-makers with the skills, mindset, and strategic acumen needed to navigate uncertainty and lead with purpose. Rooted in cutting-edge research and immersive learning experiences, the Institute emphasizes experiential learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and real-world application to bridge the gap between traditional business education and modern organizational needs. Engaging a global network of thought leaders, industry experts, and renowned faculty, LDI challenges conventional thinking and inspires transformative leadership, empowering individuals and organizations to rethink possibilities, redefine success, and lead sustainable transformation.

Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey

Join the UCI Health Leadership Academy: Creating the Future Together and become a catalyst for meaningful change. This transformative program equips healthcare leaders with the skills, strategies, and insights needed to navigate complexity, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. With guidance from world-renowned faculty and a curriculum designed to align with UCI Health’s mission and vision, you will gain the tools to inspire your teams, enhance patient outcomes, and achieve long-term success. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership impact—apply today and help shape the future of healthcare.

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