Leadership Scholars

The AAHPM Leadership Scholars program aims to increase the number of hospice and palliative care professionals participating in specialized leadership development programming. AAHPM Leadership Scholars receive up to $5,000 in funding ($2,500/year over a two-year grant period) to participate in select leadership development engagement activities designed to support their individual growth as a leader.

Through support from the Leadership Fund, this year AAHPM can offer five (5) scholarships.  Applicants are responsible for customizing a personal leadership development plan that aligns with the AAHPM leadership core competencies.

Today, AAHPM is grateful for the generosity given to the AAHPM Leadership Fund. These donations support the current leadership scholarships and are funded by AAHPM members, friends, family, and other supporters of leadership development within the field.

The 2025 application cycle closed Tuesday, September 9 at 5pm CT.

Program Benefits

The scholarship offers funds to cover educational conference and course fees, travel support, career development assessments and coaching services, and professional development materials. Scholars are responsible for customizing their training agenda to meet their individual learning and engagement needs. As a result, recipients will have a two-year self-directed leadership and career development plan to catalyze and enhance their emergence and effectiveness as a leader. AAHPM Leadership Scholars will gain a community of peers with whom they can learn and grow from.

AAHPM Core Competencies

The AAHPM Leadership Core Competencies are:

1. Interpersonal skills
2. Communications skills
3. Professional ethics
4. Clinical excellence
5. Ability to convey a clear, compelling vision
6. Continuous learning and improvement
7. System-based decision-making and problem-solving
   1. Ability to build coalitions of support for change
   2. Ability to address the needs of multiple stakeholders
8. Financial acumen and resource management
9. Social responsibility

Eligibility

Applicants must show a clear commitment to palliative care and leadership development by combining actions and attitudes that reflect a deep understanding and dedication.

1. Applicants must be AAHPM members.
2. The program will support up to five AAHPM Leadership Scholars in 2025 ($2,500 each per year through 2026)The Leadership Scholarship Fund will provide three non-restricted scholarships and two restricted scholarships. Of the two restricted scholarships:
   • one is designated specifically for a pediatrician, and
   • one is designated for an applicant from the southeastern US.
3. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to the field through certification, years of practice in the field, and/or contributions that demonstrate active engagement in hospice and palliative care.
4. Applicants must not be a current recipient of a career development award at the time of initial AAHPM Leadership Scholars funding (e.g., AAHPM Access Fund, NIH K-Award, VA career award, National Palliative Care Research Center, Sojourn Scholars, or another funded career award).

AAHPM Leadership Scholars who complete the required documentation at the end of the first award year can request a second year of funding support for an additional $2,500.

Applications must be finalized by Tuesday, September 9 at 5pm CT.

Past Recipients

Support the Leadership Scholars Fund

You can help support scholarships for members to participate in leadership development activities. Help us to create opportunities for future leaders to continue to build a strong field for hospice and palliative medicine.

“I am so grateful for the scholarship opportunity I received from AAHPM and the Hearst Foundation. I have seen incredible returns already. It started with attending ASCEND—where my knowledge increased, my connections were established and my relationships developed. I continued my development with leadership self-study programs and professional coaching, and it has been the best thing that has happened for both my career and my leadership skills. This growth would not have been possible without the scholarship.”

Dillon Stein, DO
Co-Director, Division of Palliative Care
Butler Health System

AAHPM qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as a not-for-profit corporation. Donors are encouraged to consult their tax advisors for information about the deductibility of these donations.