MD Anderson leadership development program receives first-of-its-kind accreditation

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has received full accreditation by the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) for its LEADing Teams core program, the first time an outside organization’s leadership development materials have been recognized as part of AAPL’s official educational program. AAPL is the only professional organization dedicated to providing education, career support, a leadership community and advocacy in support of physician leaders.

In its first year, the LEADing Teams program curriculum advances competencies built on five key areas: people leadership, self-management, business acumen and fiscal responsibilities, thinking, and service orientation. These competencies are consistent with those taught by AAPL. MD Anderson’s inaugural class, which includes 67 health care leaders, is scheduled to complete the program in June.

“MD Anderson is proud of the work we have done to develop this important leadership program and the valuable training and resources that will be available to our leaders,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “We look forward to collaborating with AAPL to expand the reach of this program in order to equip existing and emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge and capabilities needed to succeed in their roles, to function as effective teammates and to create transformative solutions in health care.”

This accreditation presents MD Anderson the platform to showcase its robust programming and methodology to key decision-makers in health care. For the next three years, MD Anderson’s LEADing Teams program will be a part of the AAPL educational curriculum, which provides support materials and consulting services to thousands of its members.

“We have worked with many major health care organizations on a variety of custom physician leadership training initiatives, but this is our most significant collaboration yet,” said Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, president and CEO of AAPL. “We applaud MD Anderson for its efforts to promote leadership and support the development and advancement of these skills amongst its physicians.”


Larry D. Perkins, Associate Vice President, Talent and Diversity, MD Anderson, receives plaque recognizing accreditation from AAPL leaders (from L to R): Mark Lester, MD, MBA, CPE, FAANS, FACS, FAAPL, Chair, AAPL; Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL, Chief Executive Officer, President, AAPL; J. Gregory Jolissaint, MD, MS, CPE, FAAPL, Past Chair, AAPL