The UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership, the flagship program of the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office, recently celebrated the graduation of its 10th cohort. This milestone class represents a decade of investment in developing leaders across UAB Medicine who are equipped to lead with purpose, strategy, and collaboration. See more photos from the graduation. 

The Institute for Leadership is designed to strengthen leadership capabilities through a curriculum focused on self-awareness, team dynamics, strategic thinking, and organizational influence. Participants engage in interactive sessions, hear from senior leaders, and collaborate on real-world challenges.

Reflections from the 10th cohort

"The program exceeded my expectations,” said Mike James, PharmD, MBA, Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer. “The setup and delivery of the learning experience has been tremendous—from the guest speakers and educational sessions to the leadership collaboration and networking.”

He emphasized the program’s focus on personal leadership.

“This program highlights the importance of leadership, starting with each of us,” James said. “From there, we learn how to develop and manage talent, implement strategic planning, and execute appropriately.”

James added, “This program has taught me new ways of thinking about who I am and how I lead for intentional change and better outcomes.”

Jennifer Schneider, CPA, M.S., Chief Financial Officer of UAB Hospital, expressed gratitude for UAB’s investment in leadership development.

“The opportunity to hear others’ perspectives on how they approach leadership is always invaluable,” Schneider said.

She noted a key takeaway: “Framing delegation is not only a tool for developing others but also for yourself. It ensures that each of us as leaders is focused on the most appropriate work based on our roles and where we can have the greatest impact.”

Schneider reflected on the growth she’s experienced since starting the program.

“I’ve appreciated understanding my blind spots and have been more cognizant of them in my interactions with others,” Schneider said. “You get out of it what you put into it. Even if you don’t feel you could give 100 percent on any given task, you take away enough that you have many valuable leadership tools to incorporate into your daily work.”

Carlie Dobbins, MHA, Senior Director, Clinical Transformation Office, found the program highly beneficial. “It was invaluable to have dedicated time for self-reflection, learning, networking, and strategy,” she said.

She appreciated the wide range of resources, including peer insights, executive coaching, mentorship, guest speakers, and curated learning materials. A standout moment for her was the 360-peer feedback survey.

“This exercise reinforced my primary goal: to be seen as a great teammate and leader by everyone I work with at UAB,” she said.

The feedback helped her better understand how others perceive her strengths and opportunities, and it guided her in defining personal goals for growth and leadership.

Rockell Burks, R.N., BSN, MSHA, CCTN, Nurse Manager, Abdominal Transplant Unit, shared that the leadership program was a great experience that deepened her understanding of leadership concepts she was already familiar with.

“We had the opportunity to engage other leaders in a way to get some experience applying things that we learned during the sessions,” she said.

Her key takeaways included developing her first formal mentorship and coaching relationships, and the networking opportunities facilitated by rotating group assignments.

“The program has helped me incorporate different ways to engage my team and help with my professional development as well as theirs,” she added. One tangible benefit was revising interview questions, which helped identify strong candidates.

She encourages others to participate: “This leadership program is a great way to fine-tune or enhance your current leadership skills and network with other leaders throughout the organization. Participating in this leadership program has inspired me to continue developing my leadership skills and helped me to understand the importance of ongoing learning.”

Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership

• Adam Baumgarten, M.D., MBA, Assistant Professor, DVO, Associate Program Director, Director of Medical Students and Clerkship, Department of Urology
• Brian Berthiaume, MHA, Senior Director, Administrative Operations, UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute
• Rockell Burks, R.N., BSN, MSHA, CCTN, Nurse Manager, Abdominal Transplant Unit
• Carlie Dobbins, MHA, Senior Director, Clinical Transformation Office
• Kelsey Gilley, MSN, R.N., Director, Physician Services
• Joseph R. Harper-Hooper, DNP, R.N., CNOR, Director, Perioperative Services
• Leslie W. Hayes, M.D., Chief Quality Officer, UAB Medicine Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics
• Joe Jacobs, MSHA, SHRM-CP, Associate Vice President, Human Resources
• Mike James, PharmD, MBA, Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer, Pharmacy
• Tim McElroy, MSHA, CMPE, (MGMA), Operations Administrator, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Christa Nevin, M.D., MSPH, Director, 1917 Clinic, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
• Derek Adam Robinett, M.D., FACEP, FAEMS, Associate Professor, Associate Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
• Jennifer Schneider, CPA, M.S., CFO, UAB Hospital
• Shelby Smith, CPA, Assistant CFO, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Authority
• Corey Spraberry, Ph.D., MBA, Executive Administrator, Department of Dermatology