APPD LEAPES Logo

The Association of Pediatric Program Directors serves pediatric programs by leading the advancement of education to ensure the health and well-being of children. Pediatric Graduate Medical Education Specialists (coordinators, managers, and other program administrators) are an integral part of the pediatric program leadership team. LEAPES is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and networking for Pediatric Graduate Medical Education Specialists who wish to gain expertise needed to successfully guide the success of graduate medical education programs and advance their GME careers.

The call for applications to APPD Leadership Empowerment for Advancing Pediatric Education Specialists (APPD LEAPES) for Cohort 4 is now closed. 

What is LEAPES?

This 9-month advanced, longitudinal and hybrid, course provides outstanding training for administrators aspiring to develop the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders in medical education.

Program features:

  • 3 educational conferences with over 32 hours of educational content
  • A curriculum focusing on leadership, educational scholarship, career development, program management, and program development
  • A nationally recognized council and subject matter experts with significant teaching and professional experience in program leadership and medical education
  • Peer group activities and support
  • A mentored workshop abstract, presentation, and educational project for the home institution
  • Certificate given at the completion of all program-required elements

Prerequisites for Application

  • Minimum of 3 years graduate medical education experience. Must not be within first year managing a new program.
  • Member of the APPD
  • Commitment of Department for funding for travel to three meetings and cost of tuition ($5,500).

Cohort 2 Curriculum

Click here to access LEAPES Curriculum (Cohort only)


For further information, please read our FAQ or send an email to LEAPES@appd.org.

Current APPD LEAPES Cohort

APPD LEAPES Council

Headshot of Melissa Bales
Morris Green Physician Scientist Development Program Coordinator; Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program Coordinator; Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Fellowship Program Coordinator; Clinical Research Specialist
Indiana University School of Medicine
705 Riley Hospital Drive, Phase 2, Room 4900
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Pediatric Residency Program Coordinator
Stanford University
725 Welch Road, MC 5906
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Pediatric Residency Program Coordinator
Stanford University
725 Welch Road, #1872
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Pediatric Residency Program Coordinator
Oregon Health & Science University
707 SW Gaines Street
Portland, OR 97239
Headshot of Patricia Poitevien
Senior Associate Dean, DEI
Brown University
222 Richmond Street
Providence, RI 02903
Executive Director
APPD National Office
6728 Old McLean Village Drive
McLean, VA 22101