2017 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced
The Presidential Leadership Scholars program, a unique leadership development initiative that draws upon the resources of the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson, announced that Dr. Shoeb Sitafalwalla, the Medical Director of the South Asian Cardiovascular Center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital has been selected to participate. Dr. Sitafalwalla of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, is one of 60 Scholars chosen for the program's third annual class.
The third cohort was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were selected based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at improving the civic or social good by addressing a problem or need in a community, profession, or organization.
Dr. Sitafalwalla has shown leadership in the Chicagoland area through the founding and development of the Advocate Heart Institute's South Asian Cardiovascular Center (SACC). The Center aims to address the risk of heart disease among South Asians, who are at four times the risks of having it. The Center continues to do this through a unique combination of community outreach, culturally sensitive clinical care, and innovative research. SACC has engaged with unique partners including area restaurants to reduce sodium content, faith based communities to enhance health education, and grocery stores to create healthy food labeling.
Dr. Sitafalwalla plans on developing the Illinois Coalition for Health Ethnic Equity in Data (I-CHEED) as part of his Presidential Leadership Scholar project. This project will advance standards in patient ethnic identification among major health providers, payers, policy makers, and researchers to assist in identifying disparities in chronic disease.
Over the course of several months, Scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key administration officials, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership, develop a network of peers, and exchange ideas with mentors and others who can help them make an impact in their communities.
The program kicks off in Washington, D.C. on February 7th, where Scholars will visit the National Archives and Records Administration, Mount Vernon, and the White House Historical Association and explore personal and professional development areas including core values and civility.
The latest class joins the alumni network of 121 Scholars in the program. They include individuals from diverse backgrounds and geographies, coming from a variety of sectors, including private, public, non-profit, military, and academia.
To see a complete list of the Scholars and to learn more about the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org.