Recognizing Healthcare’s Key Leaders

As the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we reflect on five decades of unwavering commitment to developing influential physician leaders. Since its founding, AAPL has continually set the standard for excellence in physician leadership. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our members, leaders, industry partners, employees, and volunteers.

Thank you for joining us in Boston for the 2025 AAPL Annual Leadership Conference, an inspiring event perfectly suited for our golden anniversary celebration.

This year, we proudly recognize the outstanding achievements of physicians who have earned the Certified Physician Executive credential and Fellowship designations within AAPL. These honors reflect each individual's exceptional leadership, commitment to excellence, and significant contributions to the field of medical management.

Certified Physician Executive (CPE) Credential

Since its introduction by AAPL in 1997, more than 4,300 physicians have earned the CPE credential, exemplifying the highest standards in healthcare leadership. During the 2025 Convocation Ceremony, more than 30 CPEs were honored for their commitment to excellence.

Fellow (FAAPL)

AAPL Fellowship signifies the highest level of leadership excellence within the association and a commitment to physician leadership. This year's honorees are:

• Col. Alvi Azad, DO, MBA, CPE, FACPE, FAAPL

• Bryan N. Becker, MD, MMM, CPE, FACP, FAAPL

• Claude D. Brunson, MD, MSCHS, FASA, CPE, FAAPL

• Corey M. Cronrath, DO, MPH, MBA, CPE, FACOEM, FAAPL

• Michael Gardner, MD, MPH, MMM, CPE, FACOG, FAAPL

• Jason Golbin, DO, MS, MBA, CPE, FAAPL

• Rex Hoffman, MD, MBA, CPE, FACHE, FAAPL

• Kristin M. Mascotti, MD, MS-HQSM, CPE, FAAPL

• Elizabeth Warner, MD, FACP, CPE, FAAPL

Distinguished Fellow (DFAAPL)

Distinguished Fellowship honors those who have made substantial contributions to medical management and physician leadership at the state, local, or international level. This year's honorees are:

• Michael R. Canady, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAPL, FACHE, DFAAPL

• Howard Haft, MD, MMM, CPE, FACPE, DFAPPL

• Alan P. Marco, MD, MMM, CPE, CHCQM, SAMBA-F, DFAAPL

Honorary Fellow (FAAPL(Hon))

Honorary Fellowship acknowledges individuals who have actively pursued and supported physician leadership within their organizations for at least 10 years. While not an AAPL Member or CPE, they champion AAPL’s core principles. This year, we honor and celebrate Warren S. Levy, MD, FACC, FAAPL(Hon.), for his exceptional advocacy.

AAPL 2025 Board of Directors Updates

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing board members for their years of dedicated service:

• Colleen Inouye, MD, CPE, FAAPL (Outgoing Board Vice Chair)

• Julie Joseph, MD, MBA, MPH, CPE, FAAPL

• Bruce Levy, MD, CPE, FAAPL (Outgoing Board Past Chair)

We warmly welcome our incoming board members, who will continue to help ensure AAPL is led with vision and passion:

• John Cho, MD, CPE, FAAPL

• Ronya Green, MD, MPH, MBA, CPE

• Peter Paige, MD, MMM, CPE, FACEP, FACPE

Furthermore, we are excited to announce our new board leadership:

• Board Chair: Claude Brunson, MD, CPE, MS, FASA, FAAPL

• Board Vice Chair: Edgar Chedrawy, MD, MS, FRCSC, FACS, MHA, CPE, FAAPL, MCPDC

Celebrating Leape & Schenke Award Winners

The Leape Ahead Award honors those dedicated to advancing patient safety by empowering future leaders. Named after Lucian Leape, MD, a former pediatric surgeon and advocate for respectful and professional training environments, this award highlights the importance of fostering such environments in enhancing patient safety. This year's honoree is:

• Optum Nevada’s Valley Health System Family Medicine Residency Program: Gaurav Zirath, MD, MBA, DABOM, and Justine Suba-Cohen, DO, are recognized for their exceptional efforts within the Valley Health System Family Medicine Residency Program, which has significantly increased access to quality healthcare in southern Nevada and successfully integrated primary care physicians into the local healthcare system.

The Roger Schenke Award celebrates individuals who have shown exceptional innovation in educational or training programs, further enhancing physician leadership and healthcare delivery. Established in 2014 to mark AAPL’s 40th anniversary, the Schenke Award pays tribute to the organization’s esteemed founder, Roger Schenke. This year's honorees are:

• Tricia Hern, MD, has led the Community Health Network Physician and APP Leadership Academy since 2017. Her work enhances the leadership skills of over 270 healthcare leaders through a curriculum emphasizing essential competencies for organizational well-being in a dynamic healthcare environment. The program's success and growing demand have led to plans for a national cohort in 2025-26, allowing other health systems to benefit from its innovative approach.

• Rahul Sharma, MD, MBA, FACEP, CPE, has been a champion for educating the next generation of healthcare leaders at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian. He created a comprehensive Healthcare Leadership and Management curriculum and initiated the "Doctoring in the Digital Age" telemedicine training. Recognized for his contributions, Sharma received the department’s first endowed professorship in 2023, cementing his influence in advancing emergency care and academic medicine.