September 2026 Issue Highlights:
I. CEO Message: Moving from Insight to Impact
II. NCHL In Action
III & IV. Upcoming Events
V. NCHL Premier Program
VI. Member Spotlights
VII. Corporate Member Highlight
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Welcome to the Setember 2026 edition of The Leadership Brief. This month, we’re highlighting key priorities, community momentum, and upcoming opportunities across LENS, NCAF, and USCIPP—designed to keep members informed, connected, and engaged in the work ahead.
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Moving from Insight to Impact
As I travel and spend time with healthcare leaders across the country, I continue to hear a remarkably consistent message: we are not short on ideas. The challenge is turning those ideas into meaningful, sustainable action.
Leaders are navigating workforce transformation, rapid advances in AI and technology, new expectations of leadership, and continued pressure to deliver better outcomes with finite resources. Yet in these conversations, I am also struck by the optimism, creativity, and willingness to learn from one another that exists across our field.
That is why the theme of this year’s NCHL Leadership Excellence Summit, Moving from Insight to Impact, feels especially timely. The Summit is designed to move beyond simply identifying the challenges facing healthcare and create space for leaders to share what they are trying, what they are learning, and what is actually making a difference inside their organizations.
As NCHL’s longest-standing convening, the Leadership Excellence Summit has always been about more than a conference. It is an opportunity to bring our community together, strengthen relationships, challenge our thinking, and return home with ideas we can put into practice.
On November 16–17 in Chicago, we will bring together healthcare executives, workforce and talent leaders, organizational development professionals, academic partners, and emerging leaders for two days of learning, connection, and practical conversation. This year’s program will include keynote perspectives, our Leadership Insights Showcase, sessions spanning people, operations, and technology, and the unveiling of NCHL’s Healthcare Leadership Competency Model 4.0.
Our time together in Chicago will also provide an opportunity to celebrate leadership excellence across our field through the Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award Celebration. This important NCHL tradition recognizes the kind of leadership that strengthens organizations, develops people, and advances healthcare, while giving our community another opportunity to connect and celebrate together.
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David L. Schreiner, PhD, FACHE, serves as Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. He brings more than three decades of healthcare leadership experience and is a nationally recognized advocate for values-driven leadership. He is also an executive coach, speaker, and author of the bestselling book, Be the Best Part of Their Day.
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I hope you will join us this November for both the Leadership Excellence Summit and the Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award Celebration. At a time when healthcare leadership is being asked to evolve quickly, bringing leaders together to learn from one another, recognize excellence, and translate insight into action has never been more important.
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NCHL in Action: USCIPP Annual Meeting in Philadelphia
This month, the NCHL team traveled to Philadelphia for the USCIPP Annual Meeting, bringing together leaders and professionals from international patient programs across the country and around the world.
Over several days, members shared experiences, explored emerging challenges and opportunities, and strengthened connections across the USCIPP community. The conversations reflected what makes these gatherings so valuable: candid discussion, practical learning, and the opportunity to hear directly from colleagues doing this work every day.
We are especially grateful to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine for helping host this year’s meeting, as well as to our speakers, sponsors, partners, board members, and stakeholders whose participation and support made the experience possible.
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Pictured left to right: Christina Volpicelli, David Schriener, Alia Ibrahim, Jarrett Fowler, Meghan Nousaine, Genaya Gaines, Kati Harmon.
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A special thank you to the NCHL team whose thoughtful programming, coordination, and care helped create such a welcoming and meaningful experience for our members.
We are grateful to everyone who joined us in Philadelphia and contributed their expertise, curiosity, and perspective. These opportunities to come together strengthen the USCIPP community and help advance the important work happening across international patient programs.
Next stop: Chicago. We look forward to continuing the conversation at the 2026 Leadership Excellence Summit, November 16–17 at Pendry Chicago, followed by the Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award Celebration on November 17.
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III. Upcoming In-Person Events
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IV. Upcoming Virtual Events
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Click event image to access registration link
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Join Our Upcoming Webinar
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New to NCHL? Get to know us at one of our upcoming 30-minute live webinars. Register to receive the invite to the next session. These sessions are held quarterly.
Can't make any of the dates and still want to connect? Email info@nchl.org to get connected! We'd love the opportunity to get to know you too and see how we may be a strategic partner to your organization.
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Leadership Excellence Networks
(LENS)
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National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF)
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US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP)
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NCHL is a trusted community for healthcare leaders to connect, learn, and collaborate. Through research, peer networks, and practical learning, we help organizations strengthen leadership capacity and advance excellence across healthcare. Proudly advancing healthcare leadership since 2001.
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Member Healthcare Organizations, Academic Institutions, and Corporate Partners
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Visit NCHL.org to learn more about our programs, connect with the member community, and explore upcoming events and opportunities.
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Advancing Healthcare Leadership Competency Model 4.0 Research
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NCHL continues to advance the field of healthcare leadership science through the ongoing evolution of the Healthcare Leadership Competency Model, strengthening the evidence base and translating research into practical tools leaders can apply across healthcare settings.
In partnership with Korn Ferry, the Healthcare Leadership Competency Model 4.0 research initiative has completed the national survey phase and is currently progressing through stakeholder interviews and focus groups with healthcare leaders and academic partners across the field.
The refreshed model remains on track for validation and presentation at the 2026 NCHL Leadership Excellence Summit in Chicago, Illinois on November 17, 2026.
Thank you to the many members and partners contributing their expertise and perspectives to help shape the future of healthcare leadership.
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The NCHL Community welcomes our newest members!
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Momentum Makers (Leaders)
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Celebrating the achievements and leadership of extraordinary NCHL member leaders.
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Leadership Excellence Networks (LENS)
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We’re excited to recognize DaNine J. Fleming, Ed.D., for the extraordinary leadership and commitment she continues to bring to NCHL’s LENS community.
DaNine has served on the LENS Steering Committee and Leadership & Professional Development Council, supported this year’s inaugural mentorship program as a mentor, and continues to lend her expertise and perspective across other LENS councils and initiatives.
Through each of these roles, DaNine has helped strengthen the connections, conversations, and leadership development that make the LENS community so meaningful.
Thank you, DaNine, for the impact you continue to make at MUSC and across the NCHL community!
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National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF)
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Recognizing Crystal Paguirigan, for her active participation in NCAF and supporting early careerist opportunities for administrative fellows at Lee Health.
In her role within Workforce Development, Crystal shows her passion for building strong talent pipelines and creating opportunities for individuals to explore careers in healthcare at all stages of their lives. Through her involvement with the Administrative Fellowship Program, she connects with students and early career professionals, supporting them throughout the application journey, and helping them discover the unique opportunities available at Lee Health.
Thank you, Crystal, for your great contributions to the early careerist pipeline and your work supporting the NCAF community!
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US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP)
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Recognizing Merritt Mick, COO of Signature Services at Penn Medicine, for his leadership, partnership, and commitment to the USCIPP community.
As one of USCIPP's earliest members, Mick has helped shape the community through his engagement, collaboration, and willingness to share his expertise. This year, Mick and the Penn Medicine team co-hosted the 2026 USCIPP Annual Meeting, creating opportunities for the commmunity to connect, learn, and grow together.
Thank you, Mick, for the lasting impact you continue to make across the USCIPP community.
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Excellence in Action (Organizations)
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Recognizing our member organizations for their contributions in advancing healthcare leadership & organizational excellence.
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This month, we are pleased to recognize Penn Medicine for its outstanding leadership and engagement across the NCHL community.
Penn Medicine continues to contribute its expertise, perspective, and partnership to our shared work. We are especially grateful for its leadership in co-hosting the USCIPP Annual Meeting alongside Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia this past month, helping bring our international programs community together for meaningful learning, connection, and collaboration.
Thank you to the Penn Medicine team for your continued leadership and commitment to advancing healthcare excellence.
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