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ForwardAcademic Career Excellence for Women 2026
This course offers Live (in-person) and Livestream (virtual) attendance options
Course Directors: Young Erben, M.D., Claire Haga, M.D., Tina Ardon, M.D., FAAFP, Catherine Madaffari, M.D., and Melissa P. Cortes, M.D.
March 3, 2026 - Mayo Clinic - Jacksonville, Florida
For various reasons, female faculty members reach associate and professor ranks at a lower rate than their male counterparts. This holds true both within and outside Mayo. Additionally, many faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in scholarly activity but may have less experience. This course aims to raise awareness of the steps necessary to grow and succeed in scholarly and academic careers.
This course is open to all interested participants.
Abstract Submission
Residents and fellows are invited to apply for abstracts and quality improvement projects and poster presentations focusing on academic advancement and innovation. The deadline to submit an abstract is December 19, 2025. Abstracts will be reviewed and selected for poster sessions by course directors. Notice of abstract acceptance or declination will be on January 09, 2026. Please submit here.
To see the course fee, please log in or create an account
| Registration Fee(s) | |
|---|---|
| M.D., D.O., Ph.D., Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees | $300 |
| Student, Resident | $250 |
Target Audience
This course is designed for physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, nursing leaders (directors, managers and supervisors), administrative leaders and emerging leaders and is open to all interested participants.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify tools and resources to identify a mentor to collaborate research for a publication
- Improve awareness of research resources for funding and statistical support
- Develop a personal action plan with next steps for progressing academically
- Identify personal barriers in academic career advancement and tools to address them
- Understand the academic promotion process and institutional resources
- Identify research innovation opportunities
Attendance at any Mayo Clinic course does not indicate or guarantee competence or proficiency in the skills, knowledge or performance of any care or procedure(s) which may be discussed or taught in this course.
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL | ||
March 3, 2026 | ||
Day 1 | 03-Mar-26 | |
8:00 AM | 8:25 AM | Breakfast and Networking |
8:25 AM | 8:35 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks |
8:35 AM | 9:20 AM | Keynote Speaker: Well-Being |
9:20 AM | 9:45 AM | The Power of Belonging Networks: Leveraging MERGs, Mentorship Circles, and Professional Sisterhoods |
9:45 AM | 10:00 AM | Speaker Panel |
10:00 AM | 10:15 AM | Break |
10:15 AM | 10:40 AM | Leading as an Introvert in Healthcare: Understanding and Owning Your Personal Leadership Style |
10:40 AM | 11:05 AM | Innovation Component: AI and the Academic Climb: Smarter Strategies for Scholarly Success |
11:05 AM | 11:30 AM | Navigating Research Opportunities |
11:30 AM | 11:45 AM | Speaker Panel |
11:45 AM | 12:35 PM | Lunch |
12:35 PM | 1:00 PM | Academic Productivity |
1:00 PM | 1:25 PM | Creating Your Elevator Pitch |
1:25 PM | 1:50 PM | How to Develop a Need/Research Question |
1:50 PM | 2:05 PM | Speaker Panel |
2:05 PM | 2:20PM | Break |
2:20 PM | 2:45 PM | Careers in Healthcare Quality: 2026 and Beyond |
2:45 PM | 3:10 PM | Mentor/Mentee Relationship |
3:10 PM | 3:35 PM | How to Lean on the Education Shield Mary S. Hedges, M.D. |
3:35 PM | 3:50 PM | Speaker Panel |
Concurrent Break Out Sessions | ||
3:50 PM | 4:50PM | Nuts and Bolts of Academic Promotion |
3:50 PM | 4:50 PM | Leadership Opportunities within Healthcare Organizations |
3:50 PM | 4:50 PM | Writing Groups and Writing Skills: First Step in the Development of a Team with Expertise |
5:00 PM | 5:30 PM | Second Keynote Speaker: “Exploring Integration Rather than the Fallacy of Balance” |
5:30 PM | 5:35 PM | Closing Comments |
All travel and lodging expenses are the sole responsibility of the individual registrant.
Course Directors
Catherine Madaffari, M.D.
Tina Ardon, M.D., AAFP
Young Erben, M.D.
Claire Haga, M.D.
Melissa Cortes, M.D.
Planning Committee:
Mingyuan Yin, M.H.A
Brittany Christopher, PA-C
Jessica Gomez Perez, APRN
Mayo Faculty
Jennifer B. Cowart, M.D.
Moain Abu Dabrh, M.B., B.Ch., M.S.
Nancy L. Dawson, M.D.
Heidi L. Dieter
Mary S. Hedges, M.D.
Kim Barbel Johnson, D.O., M.P.H.
Margaret M. Johnson, M.D.
Sarah McLaughlin, M.D.
Denise Millstine, M.D., FACP
George Pujalte, M.D.
Evette S. Radisky, Ph.D.
Neha Raukar, M.D., M.S.
Caroline Russell, FACHE
Nilufer Ertekin-Taner, M.D., Ph.D., FAAN, FANA
Ajani N. Dunn, FACHE
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Statement(s):
AMA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAPA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. Approval is valid until 03/02/2027. This activity is designated for 7.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
ACHE
By attending the Academic Career Excellence for Women 2026 offered by Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science participants may earn up to 7.25 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.
ANCC
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this activity for a maximum of 7.25 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ICPE
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 7.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Other Healthcare Professionals:
A record of attendance will be provided to all registrants for requesting credits in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies or other professional associations.
For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s) and staff, please go here to review disclosures.
Available Credit
- 7.25 AAPA Category 1
- 7.25 ACHE
- 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 7.25 ANCC
- 7.25 Attendance
- 7.25 IPCE
This course offers the unique opportunity for a variety of sponsorship opportunities, including the ability to interact with healthcare providers and highlight products and services through an exhibit. The letter of request and sponsorship descriptions can be 
found here. W-9 is attached to the PDF. Space is limited and reserved upon receipt of a completed agreement.
If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the ACE 2026 course, complete the appropriate Letter of Agreement via the link(s) below, prior to March 3rd, 2026. If you do not have a profile/account you will first need to create one before completing the online form:
- If you are interested in participating, please complete the Exhibitor Letter of Agreement.
Contact: Olivia Spradlin with questions.
To see the course fee, please log in or create an account
| Registration Fee(s) | |
|---|---|
| M.D., D.O., Ph.D.Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees | $300 |
| Student, Resident | $235 |
Please update your profile to let us know if you have dietary restrictions or access requirements.
To claim credit for livestream participation in this course, learners must view the content during the hours posted for the live activity. This course is not approved for on-demand delivery.
Commitment to Belonging and Inclusion
Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (MCSCPD) strives to foster a learning environment in which all individuals are valued, allowing all to achieve their fullest potential.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
View Cancellation and Refund Policy
All requests must be submitted in writing using the Contact Us Form.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions of Registration.