American Association for Physician Leadership

Are You Ready?

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER ACADEMY CERTIFICATION

Interested in becoming a CMO? Is CMO the right job for you? Find out in this limited availability Academy








STARTS: Oct. 25-26, 2025
(at Fall Institute)
COHORT DURATION: 12 Months Live, Virtual, Asynchronous
Non-Member Price: $14,999
AAPL Member Price: $12,749 *Travel and lodging are not included.
REQUIREMENT: A medical degree from an accredited medical school. Minimum of 5 years in a formal leadership role
Are you a physician who wants to become a CMO in a healthcare system and make a greater impact in the healthcare landscape?

If yes, then the Chief Medical Officer Academy Certificate program is here to help you achieve your goals.



Ready to learn from those who have been in this role?

The Academy curriculum, designed by CMO subject matter experts, focuses on fundamental leadership requirements like Self-Awareness, Leading Teams, and Leading the Organization. The Academy combines live, virtual, self-paced learning activities and a capstone requirement. This curriculum was designed to include hands on, pragmatic, practical, interactive, and engaging modules to help you learn, discuss, and practice real skills that CMO’s need.

This 12-month program is designed to be the most comprehensive CMO educational program for both aspiring and newly appointed VPMA/CMOs. It covers all the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a CMO, including financial management, strategic planning, clinical quality improvement, risk management, regulatory compliance, and leadership development.

After completing this program, you will have a deeper understanding of the healthcare landscape's complexity and the skills necessary to impact your organization as a CMO. You will learn about the role and responsibility of the CMO in health systems, develop tools for team-based interactions, and understand the fundamentals of leadership. You will also learn about the components of working with others at the executive level and the value propositions and pitfalls facing CMOs today.

To join this program, you must have at least five years in a formal leadership role. Join us today and be part of the most comprehensive CMO educational program available. Take the first step towards advancing your career and making a greater impact on the healthcare landscape.

The CMO Academy is a year-long commitment, and some travel will be involved as part of the program. While travel expenses are not covered, the experience will be worth it!


Delivery

13 Modules over 12 Months in multiple formats including Live, Virtual, and Asynchronous to allow you to build long lasting relationships with your cohort while learning.


Participant Profile

The Chief Medical Officer Program is ideal for:

Physician leaders in management positions who are preparing for a CMO role and seek a better understanding of business strategy for healthcare organizations.

CMOs who have served in the position for five years or less wish to deepen their knowledge of management to be successful leaders in the healthcare industry.


Participants are expected to have:

  • A medical degree from an accredited medical school.

  • Minimum of 5 years in a formal leadership role.


Program Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will have a deeper awareness of the complexity of today’s healthcare landscape along with the skills and knowledge necessary to impact their organizations as CMOs. A deeper awareness of the requirements of leadership.

  1. To understand the role/responsibility of the CMO in health systems.

  2. To develop tools for team-based interactions.

  3. To learn about the fundamentals of leadership.

  4. To understand the components of working with others at the executive level.

  5. To understand the value propositions and pitfalls facing CMOs today and how to bring greater value to the role.

  6. To learn foundational principles to use when leading organizations toward mission success.

CMO Academy Curriculum
*Note - Modules are subject to change

Module 1 October 2025 Live in Scottsdale, AZ at Fall Institute


Focus: Self-Awareness

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • What is Leadership?
  • Core Values
  • Quality/Safety/Risk
  • Clinical Variation
  • Rankings/Accreditation/Value
  • Quadruple Aim/Zero Harm
  • Moral Injury/Burnout/Wellness
Learning Objectives: Review the traditional, clinically related and non-traditional responsibilities of the CMO in health systems and explore new scope(s) of the CMO role.

Module 2 Nov. 2025 – Virtual Session


Focus: Self-Awareness

What you will learn (Topics):
  • Mission, Vision, Values
  • Self vs Organization
Learning Objectives: Explore the concept of How Mission, Vision, Values relate to the executive role.

Module 3 December 2025 – Asynchronous


Focus: Self-Awareness

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • CMO role/responsibilities
Learning Objectives: Review and reflect on core values and self-led approach(es) to problem solving.

Module 4 Jan. 2026 – Virtual Session


Focus: Self-Awareness

What you will learn (Topics):
  • Negotiating Skills.
Learning Objectives: Examine core values, behaviors (of self and others), and negotiation.

Module 5 February 2026 – Asynchronous


Focus: Leading Others

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Behaviors in a Crisis Learning Objectives.
Learning Objectives: Discover the motivations of others by reviewing an historical event relevant to healthcare systems.

Module 6 March 2026 – Virtual Session


Focus: Leading Others

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Approaches to Teamwork
Learning Objectives: Foundational learning about teams and reflections on how to lead teams/others.

Module 7 Date and Location TBA – Live


Focus: Leading Others

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Executive Presence
  • Competing Priorities
  • Influence without Authority
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Medical Staff vs. Service Line
  • High Functioning Teams
  • Hospital Violence/Crisis Management
  • Situational Media
Learning Objectives: Utilize and explore situational awareness and techniques through scenario-based exercises designed with the CMO in mind. Interpret, compare, and provide feedback on actions performed in the exercises Exploring Executive presence related to your Team(s).

Module 8 May 2026 – Asynchronous


Focus: Leading Others

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Physician Compensation
  • CMO Value/Worth
  • Incentivization in Healthcare
Learning Objectives: Analyze and compare compensation models to design appropriate incentives.

Module 9 June 2026 – Virtual Session


Focus: Leading the Organization

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Foundations of leading the organization
  • Introduction to Capstone
Learning Objectives: Differentiate between leading a team vs leading the organization.

Module 10 July 2026 – Asynchronous


Focus: Leading the Organization

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Best Practices for Meetings
  • Approaches to C Suite and Board of Trustees
  • Time Management
  • “Highest and Best Use” meaning
Learning Objectives: Recognize best practices related to meetings and managing time. Examine and plan approaches for the C-Suite.

Month 11 Aug. 2026 – Virtual Session


Focus: Leading the Organization

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Executive Presentation Requirements
  • What are the 3 Best Asks of Executive Team/Board?
  • How to use “End in Mind Thinking.”
Learning Objectives: Learn and practice executive skills related to influence and outcomes.

Month 12 September 2026 – Asynchronous


Focus: Leading the Organization

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Synthesizing course knowledge and putting it all together for the Capstone.
Learning Objectives: Preparation for Capstone (skill development).

Module 13 Date TBD in Scottsdale, AZ – Live


2026 Live dates in Scottsdale are not yet finalized.
Focus: Leading the Organization

What you will learn (Topics)
:
  • Systems Thinking/Current State of Healthcare
  • Financial Drivers
  • Service Line as Money
  • Cost of Providers
  • SDOH/Population Health
  • DEI and Bias
  • Change Management/Talent Acquisition/Hire to Fit
  • Private Equity/Digital Economy/Disruptors
  • Capstone Presentations
  • Future of Health Care
  • Graduation
Learning Objectives: Review current state of healthcare with attention to key financial issues that relate to the CMO. Examine healthcare as business. Examine healthcare as mission. Evaluate the future state of healthcare. Use of Capstone to prepare for leading organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if this program is right for me?


Physician leaders in management positions who are preparing for a CMO role and seek a better understanding of the requirements of the role within the dynamic complexity of healthcare organizations.

CMOs who have served in the position for five years or less, who wish to deepen their healthcare knowledge and leadership skills in order to be successful physician executives in the healthcare industry.

Are there any prerequisites for this program?



A medical degree from an accredited medical school. Minimum of 5 years in a formal leadership role.

How does the CMO Academy work with other AAPL programs?


If you are pursuing a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) credential, this program will meet all the elective requirements. 

Are there CME associated with this program.


Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn 61.5 hours of CME.

What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?


A reliable internet connection and the ability to use Zoom.

How much time is required per module?


Live Modules: 10.5 Hours over 2 days at each live meeting.

Virtual Modules: Each virtual meeting is up to 2 hours with a possible additional 2 hours of self-study work required.

Asynchronous Modules: 2-4 Hours per month.

Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?


Yes, you will be invited to join the AAPL CMO Community of Practice to stay in touch with your cohort and build your network with other CMO’s.

How long will I have access to the learning materials?


12 months after program completion.

What type of certificate will I receive?


Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from AAPL via hard copy and digital copy you may share on social media.

What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?


The fee for AAPL members is $12,749.15, or $14,999 for non-members. Payment arrangements can be made during your intake advising appointment. Registration for all live events is included in your tuition; however, travel and lodging are not included.

Refund policy


There are no refunds for this program. Once the program has begun, if life gets in the way you can remove yourself from the cohort and be assigned to a future cohort.

What are the next steps to enroll in the program?


Complete the interest form at the top of this page, and we will email you to set up an intake advising appointment. During this conversation, we will ensure that you are a good fit for the program, answer any questions you may have, and establish payment arrangements.

For over 45 years.

The American Association for Physician Leadership has helped physicians develop their leadership skills through education, career development, thought leadership and community building.

The American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) changed its name from the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) in 2014. We may have changed our name, but we are the same organization that has been serving physician leaders since 1975.

CONTACT US

Mail Processing Address
PO Box 96503 I BMB 97493
Washington, DC 20090-6503

Payment Remittance Address
PO Box 745725
Atlanta, GA 30374-5725
(800) 562-8088
(813) 287-8993 Fax
customerservice@physicianleaders.org

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American Association for Physician Leadership®

formerly known as the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE)