FIG. 1.
The EMPOWER leadership development process to support career advancement for women in academic medicine.32 The learning process objective for EMPOWER is to drive culture change by promoting competency, community, and visibility. Adapted from the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM)® Leadership Learning Model.20,21 EMPOWER emphasizes four fundamental areas in leadership development for women in academic medicine—leadership effectiveness, negotiation, strategic career advancement, and leading in life (work–life integration). Learning activities include didactic, simulation, and reflective discourse with peers embedded within a structured curriculum (Table 1). Participants apply the imparted skillsets locally at their home institutions and then comparatively assess experiences and outcomes within their peer mentorship circle. Key peer mentorship circle features and expectations included the following: (i) establishing a safe and supportive environment for mutual learning; (ii) progressive discourse toward knowledge building; (iii) embracing collaboration, respectful inclusion, and collective identity; and (iv) facilitative circle leadership with an emphasis on peer mentorship and using collective group knowledge.