LEAP connects residents and faculty

Washington University School of Medicine recognizes the importance for today’s leaders in medicine to train and prepare the next generation of leaders in academia, clinical education, and administration. For those residents interested in exploring leadership, we are able to provide outstanding mentors from an internationally recognized faculty.

Faculty Mentorship

Leadership is a set of skills that can be learned by education, training, practice and experience over time. Our faculty have the experience to be renowned leaders in medicine and academia and will serve as crucial mentors to all residents and, more intensely, with residents interested in pursuing leadership roles.

Leadership in Education and Administration Program (LEAP)

The Leadership in Education Administration Program (LEAP) seeks to provide early training in leadership to enhance success at subsequent stages of residents’ careers.  LEAP represents formalized mentorship and curriculum to those residents who want to explore leadership in academic clinical medicine and education.

This program is open to any resident, regardless of prior experience. We tailor our leadership program to develop and maximize your individual skills.

Most residents typically will enter LEAP as PGY1s.  However, the program can be individualized to residents entering at any year of training.

LEAP program structure

LEAP is structured to provide leadership training and opportunities across all years to individuals in both the general adult psychiatry program (4 years) and the child and adolescent psychiatry program (5 years). The program is composed of two phases, details of which can be found below.

Phase 1: Exploration

The first phase of LEAP occurs during PGY1 and 2 and is designed to allow residents to explore a career in leadership.

In addition to mentoring and didactic time, residents can devote one PGY2 elective block (approximately 1 month) to exploring projects and/or research in clinical education or administration.

PGYTime on LEAP ElectiveDidactics, Courses, MeetingsMilestones
1Monthly advisor meetings

Leadership course
Identify project mentor

Create career development goals

Identify a LEAP interest
2Optional (up to one elective block)Advisor meetings

Mentor meetings

Leadership course

Individualized coursework
Further development of career goals

Develop specific LEAP project

Phase 2: In-depth training

The second phase is a more intensive program that begins in PGY3 and runs the rest of residency training. It is designed for those residents who, after Phase 1, have decided to continue pursuing a career in leadership in education administration.

This second phase provides for in-depth training, including a formal project, career mentoring, and didactics. Residents can have one hour a week of their third year dedicated to LEAP efforts.

PGYTime on LEAP ElectiveDidactics, Courses, MeetingsMilestones
31 hour weekly protected timeAdvisor meetings

Mentor meetings

Leadership course

Individualized coursework
Further development of career goals

Carry out LEAP project
Adult program

Residents staying in the general adult program will then have 4 months of their PG4 year to finish carrying out their projects.

PGYTime on LEAP ElectiveDidactics, Courses, MeetingsMilestones
4Up to 33% FTEAdvisor meetings

Mentor meetings

Administrative psychiatry seminar

Leadership course

Individualized coursework
Solidify career goals

Completion of project

Present results at national meeting (optional)

Publication of results (optional)
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows

Those residents who decide to pursue training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Washington University can continue to be in LEAP.

PGYTime on LEAP ElectiveDidactics, Courses, MeetingsMilestones
4Advisor meetings

Mentor meetings

Leadership course

Individualized coursework
Further development of career goals

Carry out LEAP project
5Advisor meetings

Mentor meetings

Administrative psychiatry seminar

Leadership course

Individualized coursework
Solidify career goals

Completion of project

Present results at national meeting (optional)

Publication of results (optional)

Joining LEAP

LEAP is a training option available to all residents. Applicants do not have to apply separately to LEAP as it is not a specific training track with a separate ACGME number. 

In order to have time to meet with a mentor and, optimally, plan for the second year of rotations, residents typically join Phase 1 of LEAP in the first year. There is no maximum number of residents who can take part in LEAP nor is there a minimum educational requirement.

In order to continue into Phase 2, residents must submit a detailed project and career development plan, which has to be approved by the supervising faculty before entering into Phase 2.

Applicants to the residency program who are interested in LEAP are encouraged to indicate such interest at the time they apply so that we can be prepared to discuss the interest during the interview process.