Build the leaders your organization needs while achieving meaningful and measurable results.
This comprehensive, application-focused leadership program is designed to strengthen leadership effectiveness while advancing real-world quality improvement outcomes.
Once participants complete the prerequisite pathway for their role, they enter the Leadership Excellence Academy – a seven-month experience that develops stronger leaders while driving meaningful quality improvement within their organizations.
The first Leadership Excellence Academy cohort will run November 2027–May 2028.
Members have more than a year to complete the prerequisite pathway for their role before the Academy begins.
Inside the Academy
The Leadership Excellence Academy combines leadership development with hands-on application to help participants grow as leaders while improving quality, strengthening teams and achieving measurable results.
Throughout the program, participants build practical leadership skills, complete a personalized quality improvement project and apply what they learn to real challenges within their organizations.
Real-world application
Leadership development that is immediately applied through real-world challenges and hands-on experience.
Designed for long-term care
Built for leaders across clinical and operational roles, encouraging collaboration and shared learning.
Measurable results
Improve quality, strengthen teams and enhance resident outcomes.
Participants will gain:
Improved communication, team engagement and accountability
Strengthened data-driven decision making
Regulatory and quality frameworks (QAPI)
Increased confidence in leading teams and managing change
Tools to move from compliance to consistency to performance excellence
Quality Improvement Project
Each participant completes a personalized quality improvement project aligned with their organization's priorities and real-world operational challenges.
Participants will:
Identify
Root causes and opportunities for improvement
Implement
Evidence-based interventions
Measure
Outcomes using meaningful data
Participants conclude the program by presenting their project results, outcomes and lessons learned to leadership and their peers.
Curriculum Focus Areas:
Leadership foundations, emotional intelligence and self-awareness
Team development and effective communication
Quality, regulatory and survey readiness
Data analysis and performance improvement
Change management and sustainability
Program Outcomes:
Improved leadership effectiveness and team performance
Measurable quality improvements within participants’ organizations
Stronger alignment between leadership practices and resident outcomes
Find Your Pathway
Individuals must complete the two prerequisites for their paths before entering the Leadership Excellence Academy.
Select your role below to view your pathway into the Academy.
Administrators
Step 1 | Foundations
Nursing Facility Administrator Foundations — Register Offered in spring + fall
OR
At least 2 years of experience in the role
Step 2 | Advanced
Advanced Nursing Facility Administrator and DON Workshop Coming this fall
Step 3 | Expert
IHCA Leadership Excellence Academy
DONs
Step 1 | Foundations
DON Foundations – A Playbook for New Nurse Leaders Offered in spring + fall
OR
At least 2 years of experience in the role
Step 2 | Advanced
Advanced Nursing Facility Administrator and DON Workshop Coming this fall
