Health care providers are the face of the U.S. health care delivery system, playing a central role in delivering care to support patients’ health and well-being. However, ongoing evolution within the health care system means providers must also navigate changing financing models, and an increasing pressure to improve patient outcomes and reduce health disparities. Providers must adapt quickly and often with limited resources and guidance. Despite their critical role, leadership development programs for providers are limited — particularly within community health centers serving populations that have been marginalized.

In response to this need, the Center for Health Care Strategies is partnering with L.A. Care Health Plan to offer the Provider Leadership Program. This unique professional development program equips Los Angeles County providers with the practical leadership and management skills necessary to achieve transformational change within their health centers and ultimately improve patient care and health outcomes.

The goal of the Provider Leadership Program is to enhance the capacity of providers in by helping them to:

• Leverage insight about their leadership styles to increase their impact and effectiveness;
• Gain new knowledge about the health systems within which they work and how they can influence the success of these systems;
• Expand their capacities to articulate and advance a leadership vision and agenda;
• Build supportive relationships with fellow L.A. County clinical leaders; and
• Engage with senior leaders within L.A. Care and L.A. County health clinics.

The program supports Los Angeles County providers employed by safety net provider organizations that are contracted with L.A. Care Health Plan. Through this leadership development program, selected providers participate in a range of leadership activities, including:

• Individual leadership assessments and personalized development plan;
• One-on-one coaching sessions to support their development plan;
• Virtual seminars to delve into key leadership skills with expert trainers and peer case studies; and
• Leadership projects to apply skills gained to real-time challenges.

Now in its fourth year, 27 providers — including physicians, nurse practitioners, and clinical social workers— have participated in this leadership training program since the program launched in 2021.