University of Massachusetts Medical School

Mindful Physician Leadership Program

This 24-month project proposes to host two 10-month Mindful Physician Leadership Program tracks (MPLP1 and MPLP2) each year. The tracks have a similar structure (retreats, community meetings, buddy system / peer coaching, and web-based support), but differ in curriculum.  Total combined activities over two years would include 100 physicians, 8 retreat days and 60 community meetings. The MPLP1 track is based on last year’s curriculum which combines training in leadership skills, mindfulness and meditative practices; both formal and informal. Formal practices (meditation, yoga, etc) occur in structured time periods, similar to physical exercise. Informal practices (purposeful pauses) occur in daily experience involving awareness of the present moment with an attitude of compassion, curiosity and acceptance. The new MPLP2 track will be offered to physician leaders with prior mindfulness training. MPLP2 will focus on mindful leadership and executive coaching.