Voices of U of U Health
Celebrating 30 Years of National Impact and a Legacy of Cultivating Women Leaders
In 2025, the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program celebrates a milestone: 30 years as an enduring force for change in academic health care and a national model for cultivating women leaders.
For nearly three decades, University of Utah Health has supported a growing community of women faculty through ELAM. We are proud to continue this tradition in 2025, with three more faculty members completing year-long fellowships, and three more announced for 2026.
National Recognition for Investing in Women Leaders
U of U Health is invested in having as many women as possible participate in this prestigious leadership development program for emerging women leaders. We continue to maintain an unusually high acceptance rate, consistently having multiple nominees accepted every year.
For us, advancing women in leadership isn’t a side effort. It’s an institutional priority.
This commitment earned our institution national recognition at ELAM’s 30th anniversary celebration. We received the Institutional Award for the Advancement of Women in Medicine and the Sciences. This award is meaningful affirmation of the progress we’ve made and the culture we’re cultivating.
Individual and Institutional Growth
We view ELAM as an investment in both individual growth and institutional strength.
Fellows benefit from extensive coaching, networking, and mentoring opportunities. They hone the skills required to lead and manage in today's complex health care environment. Our graduates serve in pivotal leadership roles across U of U Health.
Fellows have access to the dean at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, CEO of University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, other institutional mentors, a project mentor, and national advisors in the ELAM learning community. Outside perspectives help fellows navigate internal issues and forge plans for their future.
As part of their ELAM experience, fellows design, implement, and initiate evaluation of an Institutional Action Plan (IAP). The IAP integrates the curricular resources and peer support of the fellowship in a tangible leadership contribution to the fellow's institution.
Class of 2025 ELAM Fellows
This year, Christy Porucznik, PhD, MSPH, Courtney Scaife, MD, and Theresa Werner, MD, completed the year-long fellowship—adding their voices, talents, and vision to a growing legacy. They join one of the strongest communities of ELAM alumni (“ELUMS”) in the country. Their journey reflects more than personal achievement. It speaks to our shared commitment to building a health system where leadership is supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking.
Porucznik completed the ELAM program, while Scaife and Werner completed the Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) program. ELH focuses on women who aspire to lead in health care organizations.
All three fellows recently presented their Institutional Action Plans (IAPs), successfully completing the ELAM program. Below, they share highlights from their experience.
Class of 2025 ELAM Fellow: Christy Porucznik, PhD, MSPH
“The ELAM experience was transformative and I’m grateful to have participated this year. We covered topics in didactic sessions ranging from anti-racism to funds flow in academic medicine and practiced essential skills like negotiation and self-promotion within our assigned Learning Communities. I learned a lot about how our medical school is similar and different to others.
The most valuable aspects of the fellowship year are having dedicated time to devote to leadership development and the relationships that develop within the class, particularly within project and Learning Community groups. Traveling to the sessions also helped me get to know my fellow Utah attendees better since we don’t cross paths in our daily lives!”
Dr. Porucznik contributes to the University of Utah in so many meaningful ways—through her role as former president of the Academic Senate, to her leadership in education in the Division of Public Health, to her most recent role as vice dean for faculty for the school of medicine. Her deep knowledge of policy and process helps all our faculty and leaders navigate the numerous challenges that arise. She brings clarity, wisdom, and a steady voice to the many difficult discussions she leads in her role. Everyone who works with her benefits from her wise counsel.
– Angie Fagerlin, PhD, Project Mentor
Class of 2025 ELH Fellow: Courtney Scaife, MD
“Participating in ELAM-ELH, and becoming part of the ELUM (alumni) community has been empowering. It has given me another opportunity to gain leadership experience in the world of academic medicine.
“The curriculum focuses on tackling real-world challenges, leadership skills development, and networking. It encourages professional stretch at your institution, a key component being collaboration with leaders and working on a project that dares you to think big and envision change. That experience deepened my understanding of how organizations operate and challenged me to approach transformative ideas with confidence.
“Vital to the ELAM program is the commitment to addressing the unique needs of women leaders in academic medicine. The course creates a space that acknowledges and supports the distinct challenges faced by women in leadership roles and enhances the strengths and aspirations of women leaders.
“Participants come away understanding the profound value of the connections and support fostered within the ELUM network. The relationships facilitate collaboration and networking. These connections have strengthened my skills, enthusiasm, and determination to continue contributing in a meaningful way to our academic community.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity, the sponsorship and mentorship from Dan Lundergan and Dr. Sam Finlayson, and continued support from University of Utah Health to empower the visions of the ELAM program.”
Dr. Courtney Scaife’s participation in the ELH program accelerated and amplified her knowledge of our organization, system strategy, and how to develop solutions from a system lens. She represented our health system as a collaborative and thoughtful key leader, approaching complex problems with humility and curiosity.
The focus of Dr. Scaife’s institutional action plan was integrating strategic planning into department operations, with an emphasis on provider recruitment. Dr. Scaife’s goals clearly provide a roadmap for our system and departments to develop strategies that align budgeting and resources with strategic recruiting needs. Her recommendations will bridge the gap between health system strategy and department priorities and operations.
– Dan Lundergan, MHA, Project Mentor
Class of 2025 ELH Fellow: Theresa Werner, MD
“Participating in the ELAM-ELH program has been a transformative experience. It has deepened my understanding of the vital role women play in health care leadership and shaped my own growth as a leader. Through candid conversations, structured learning, and collaboration with a diverse cohort of accomplished peers, I gained powerful insights into the systemic barriers women face and the unique strengths they bring to leadership roles. The program reinforced the idea that diversity in leadership not only promotes equity but also drives innovation, improves decision-making, and enhances organizational performance in complex health care environments.
“One of the most impactful aspects of ELAM-ELH was the emphasis on self-awareness and strategic thinking. I learned to more effectively align my leadership style with my values and goals, and to navigate institutional dynamics with greater confidence and clarity. The leadership assessments and coaching helped me identify and build on my strengths, while also addressing areas for growth. I became more intentional in how I mentor others, advocate for inclusive policies, and lead change.
“The program also underscored the importance of community. Being part of a network of women leaders committed to advancing equity and excellence in health care has been inspiring and empowering. I emerged from ELAM-ELH with a clearer vision of my leadership path, a stronger voice, and a renewed commitment to creating environments where all leaders can thrive. Beyond making me a better leader, this experience taught me how to be a more conscious and committed advocate for equity in academic medicine.
“I am truly grateful for the sponsorship and mentorship from Dr. Mary Beckerle (Huntsman Cancer Institute) and Dan Lundergan and Dr. Sam Finlayson (University of Utah Health) and their continued support of my academic career.”
It’s been a joy to watch Theresa thrive in Utah, rising from oncology fellow to professor of internal medicine and deputy director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. A physician-scientist of the highest caliber, she advances impactful clinical research in her gynecologic oncology clinical program while empowering other clinicians in their disease area. Her ability to connect—with patients, donors, colleagues, labs, and students—builds teams that drive meaningful change and advance Huntsman Cancer Institute’s mission. I’m thrilled she participated in ELAM and confident she’ll continue to flourish in her career.
– Mary Beckerle, PhD, Project Mentor
The Legacy Continues
As we honor the accomplishments of this year’s ELAM graduates and celebrate 30 years of the program’s national impact, we also look ahead—to the next generation of leaders we are actively cultivating.
We welcome the newest ELAM and ELH Class of 2026 fellows: Kencee Graves, MD, Rachel Weir, MD, and Kristi Smock, MD—three leaders already making a powerful impact across the clinical, academic, and research missions of U of U Health.
We will continue expanding the ELAM community on our campus, developing new leadership pathways for women faculty, and continuing to lead the way nationally in advancing women in medicine and science.
