Physician Leadership in Business Acumen

Who should attend?

Physicians and scientists in clinical leadership roles (e.g., program directors, vice chairs) who wish to strengthen their business acumen 

Program benefits

The Physician Leadership and Business Acumen (PLBA) program builds on your expertise as a leader in the School of Medicine. It aims to provide additional tools and core concepts grounded in business to support your career trajectory moving forward.

In-person sessions cover:

• Physician leadership
• Healthcare finance
• Operations management
• Customer relationship management
• Strategic management

Additional online course work between sessions will be complementary to and build upon in-person discussions.

Program content is highly applied with cases drawn from IU School of Medicine’s enterprise environment.

Program format

• Offered: Every other year, with the next session beginning in fall 2026
• Duration: 6 months
• Credits: Certificate includes six credit hours, transferable to the Kelley Physician MBA program within five years.
  • Participants take three, two-credit-hour courses.
  • Courses are graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
  • CME is offered.
• Cohort: Each cohort includes between 15 and 20 leaders.
• Meets: One Friday a month from September to March
• Delivery: Hybrid format with online coursework, in-person sessions and organizational projects
  • Face-to-face instruction consists of six full days (8 hours each), held one Friday a month for six months.
  • Attendance at every in-person session is mandatory.
  • Classes are held in the Kelley Executive Education classrooms in Hine Hall on the IU Indianapolis campus.
  • Participants should expect three to five hours of coursework during weeks when no face-to-face instruction takes place.
  • Online asynchronous instruction will take place via Canvas between face-to-face instruction days.

2026-2027 session dates

• Friday, Sept. 18
• Friday, Oct. 16
• Friday, Nov. 13
• Friday, Jan. 15
• Friday, Feb. 12
• Friday, March 12

Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Have an MD or equivalent degree
• Be a faculty member and hold a leadership role
• Be eligible for the IU tuition benefit 

Application process

To apply, submit a personal statement and CV by April 30 of the year you wish to participate. PLBA is offered during even-numbered years (i.e., 2026, 2028, etc.).

The personal statement should be no longer than three pages (single-spaced and 12-point font). Address the following in your statement:

• Briefly describe the range of responsibilities in your current position, including any formal leadership training, responsibilities for personnel and budget experience.
• What is your personal philosophy or definition of leadership? How does it apply to your professional role?
• What are your five-year career goals? Be as specific as possible. How will participating in the Physician Leadership in Business Acumen program help you achieve these goals?

If you have questions, email fapd@iu.edu.

After program acceptance

Once accepted into the program, participants must formally apply as non-degree-seeking students (small fee) through the IU Indianapolis Graduate Studies Office.

• Most participants enrolling in the courses use the IU tuition benefit to pay for most of the program.
• The associated fees (approximately $600) are the participant’s responsibility.
• FAPD and the Kelley School of Business will assist with program administration (e.g., applying for tuition benefits, assistance with enrollment and tech support).