The application deadline for the ASL Class of 2026-2027 has passed.

Overview
The APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program (ASL) is an initiative of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO). The program's purpose is to equip ob-gyn faculty with the knowledge and skills needed to be outstanding teachers and leaders. The rigorous 15-month dynamic curriculum is taught by nationally known educators. January 2025 marked the start of the twenty-sixth program year.

Brief Background
Consistent with APGO’s mission to enhance education in our field of medicine, this program provides a mechanism, on a national level, to provide faculty development for current and aspiring medical education leaders. Recognizing the potential value in developing outstanding teachers, APGO Past-President Frank W. Ling, MD, proposed this program to industry in 1997, and upstart of the ASL program was funded by a generous endowment to the APGO Medical Education Foundation. The program is currently funded by tuition and supplemental funds from the APGO Board Designated Fund.

Program Purpose
The purpose of the APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders is to provide faculty with the opportunity to grow and acquire the skills critical to advancing as teachers, education program administrators, and leaders. Another goal of the program is to provide the mentorship needed by faculty who plan to use “excellence in education” as part of academic promotion. ASL teaching faculty focus on the importance of taking an evidence-based approach to support education-related decision-making relevant to curriculum design, instructional methods, program and performance evaluation, and administrative issues. ASL Graduates have gone on to fulfill major educational positions within their department, medical center, medical school, and other national professional societies, including APGO.

ASL is designed to equip faculty with the knowledge and skills to be successful educators. Modules address the following subjects:

• Curriculum Development
• Teaching and Learning
• Performance and Program Evaluation
• Leadership Skills and Career Development
• Educational Scholarship 101

The curriculum is delivered in three separate formal classroom sessions with independent study and mentor meetings peppered throughout the 15 months. The first sessions occur three days prior to the APGO Faculty Development Seminar in January. The night before the first session a Welcome Reception is held to meet the faculty, advisors and fellow students. Session two is three days long and occurs prior to the CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting in February/March. The last session is two-three days and occurs in August. 

In addition to formal instruction, attendees are expected to complete an Education Application Project (EAP). This project, designed by the participant, can be either a research or development project. The EAP provides an important learning opportunity to apply what they are learning, and is often a project that explores or improves an educational aspect of their local institution. These projects are done individually or in teams under the advisement of their assigned faculty advisors. Projects are publicly displayed and presented at a designated time during the CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting in February/March. Though impossible to state an estimated number of hours per week, it is anticipated that the time demands, though not overwhelming, will be considerable due to the intensive curriculum.

The program is designed to be vigorous, relevant, and interactive. The didactic portion is no more than 50% of the course, with case studies, problem solving, and other learning experiences completing the curriculum. Each session is evaluated at its completion on an ongoing basis, enabling ongoing curriculum updates and modifications.

Graduation from the ASL program requires attendance and participation in each classroom and mentor sessions, and completion of an abstract describing their Education Application Project.

Faculty
The faculty includes five six experienced clinician-educators who serve as advisors and mentors. The curriculum is taught by PhD educators and clinical-educators considered national and international leaders in medical education. In addition, local mentors are identified and invited to participate as advisors to support the attendee within their institution.

Click here for the ASL Advisory Committee Biosketches

Frequency of Offering
The first class began in January 1998 and classes have been held every year since. Over 500 scholars have graduated from the program, with another 24 expected to graduate by 2025.

Selection of Physician-Students
All candidates should hold membership in APGO by October 15 of the preceding year in which they apply and have a strong interest in and evidence of participation in educational activities. Preference is given to individuals who currently fulfill defined administrative positions. The candidate must submit a curriculum vitae detailing educational experience, a personal statement to include the basis for interest in the program and its proposed application, once completed, and a letter of support and a signed statement of commitment from the candidate’s chair. This statement must include the provision of time for participation, financial support for the course, and plans for utilizing the skills and expertise gained by the candidate in the program. See the ranking criteria below for topics to address in your personal statement. If you hold a title of assistant or associate clerkship or residency director, please outline your specific responsibilities, and how these responsibilities differ from the director. If you have applied for the program before, submit a statement of what you have accomplished since your last application.

Ranking Criteria:

Leadership Position at Institution

Scholarship in Education and Related Areas

Current Educational Activities

Teaching Recognition (Awards)

APGO Participation (Meetings/Programs)

Mentoring/Advising Roles

Personal statement of interest and benefit to career goals

ABOG Certification Status

Department Chair Letter of Support and Commitment to the Candidate’s Success

In addition, a local mentor who has indicated a willingness to advise and support the candidate in their efforts must be named. Finally, candidates must sign an agreement wherein they pledge to satisfactorily fulfill all elements of the curriculum, including modifications as deemed necessary by the faculty, to attend all sessions at all meetings, to complete all assignments, including a practicum, a project, and presentation. In addition, each candidate will endorse a clear understanding that evaluation of ongoing participation and completion of this program is solely the decision of the faculty. Failure to participate fully will lead to dismissal, for which there will be no refund of fees. The program is limited to 24 participants. Please note that if more than one person applies from the same institution, it is assumed that, should both individuals be selected, they will both be able to participate. All applications must be complete when submitted. Facsimiles will not be accepted.

Financial Considerations
The cost for each physician-student will be $5,500 (non-refundable) for the 15-month duration of the program. This will be paid in advance. In addition, the department of the physician-student is expected to provide:

Travel, air, and hotel expenses for all four required meetings, Registration fee (approx. $900) for the 2026 Faculty Development Seminar, Registration fee (approx. $800 each meeting) for the two CREOG & APGO Annual Meetings in February/March 2026 and 2027. Travel, air, and hotel arrangements are the responsibility of the physician-student. The tuition fee of $5,500 (non-refundable) will be payable upon confirmation by APGO of the physician-student’s acceptance into this program. A $75.00 application fee is due and payable with the submission of the online application.

Required Meeting Dates (for the 2026-2027 class year) are as follows. Note that the dates do not include arrival and departure dates to accommodate the class schedule. Click here to see a previous class schedule.

1. 2026 Martin L. Stone, MD, Faculty Development Seminar: The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Amelia Island, Florida

January 7-10, 2026 – APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program sessions
January 10-13, 2026 – APGO Martin L. Stone, MD, Faculty Development Seminar

2. 2026 CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting: Location TBA

February 16-18, 2026 – APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program sessions
February 18-21, 2026 – CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting

3. Summer stand-alone session: August 2026, Westin Annapolis, Annapolis, MD

August 2026 (exact dates TBD) Two-three full days of ASL Sessions

4. 2027 CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting: Dates and Location TBD

2027 CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting to participate in research presentations and graduation ceremony.

How to Apply