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ForwardWILMA: Women in Leadership, Medicine, and Academics 2026
This course offers Live (in-person) and Livestream (virtual) attendance options.
This course is for Mayo Clinic personnel only, located at the Pablo Center in Eau Claire Wisconsin.
Course Directors: Emily R. Smith, M.D. and Melissa M. Xiong, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
April 24, 2026 - Pablo Center - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Women in Leadership, Medicine, and Academics 2026 invites you to gather in community—grounded in connection, support, and growth—to explore what’s possible in your leadership journey. This course combines inspiring lectures, candid panel discussions, and interactive small groups to create a space for shared learning and authentic connection. This course offers information applicable to all Mayo staff, and participation is open to everyone.
WILMA Poster Abstract Submission Guidelines: To submit a proposal, click here.
Conference Theme: Grounded In Connection
Abstracts should align with the conference's objectives to:
- Cultivate authentic, supportive professional relationships that inspire collaboration and continuous growth.
- Champion practical strategies to advance empowered belonging across teams and organizations.
- Identify approaches to accelerate purpose driven career advancement.
Suggested Topics for Abstracts
- Leadership development and career advancement
- Inclusive leadership
- Community building
- Mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching
- Systems change, policy, or organizational culture
- Scholarship, education, or programmatic innovations
- Well-being, resilience, and sustainable careers
Original research, quality improvement, innovative project reports, case reports, or narrative scholarship related to women in medicine are welcome.
Suggested Abstract Format
- Word limit: ≤ 300 words
- Structure:
- Title
- Background/Purpose
- Methods/Approach
- Results/Outcomes
- Conclusions/Implications
- Review tips on writing reseach abstracts and quality improvement abstracts. Mayo Clinic also has a vast array of resources to support research development, quality improvement, and scholarly writing.
- Learning Objectives: List each objective in the following format: "On completion of this session, the participants should be able to ....". Learning objectives should be observable and measurable, emphasizing the learner’s actions over the presenter's actions. Each objective must be specific, concise, and limited to one sentence. Review tips here on writing learning objectives.
Submission Requirements
- Complete and submit abstract form no later than February 13th, 2026.
- Submissions may describe completed work or works in progress.
- Original abstracts that either have or have not been presented at other meetings will be considered. Previously published abstracts should be sufficiently modified.
Review Criteria
Abstracts will be reviewed based on:
- Relevance to conference theme and objectives
- Clarity and organization
- Innovation and impact
- Applicability to leadership development or systems change
Notification of Results: All primary authors will be notified no later than February 28, 2026 if their submission has been selected.
Poster Presentation
- Accepted abstracts will be presented as posters. Authors are responsible for printing and bringing posters, which will be displayed for the duration of the course. Please note that poster printing is available to Mayo Employees free of charge if Best Practices for Scientific Poster Self-Service are followed.
- Poster size and formatting instructions will be provided upon acceptance.
- At least one author must register for and attend the conference. Primary authors selected for presentation at conference will receive a full scholarship to attend the course.
For more information and to submit a proposal, click here.
To see the course fee, please log in or create an account
| Registration Fee(s) | |
|---|---|
| M.D., D.O., Ph.D. | $250 |
| Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees | $250 |
Target Audience
This course is designed for current and aspiring leaders. Course materials will be relevant for consultants, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, social workers, nurses, allied health staff, shared services staff and administrators.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Cultivate authentic, supportive professional relationships that inspire collaboration and continuous growth.
- Champion practical strategies to advance empowered belonging across teams and organizations.
- Identify approaches to accelerate purpose driven career advancement.
Attendance at any Mayo Clinic course does not indicate or guarantee competence or proficiency in the skills, knowledge or performance of any care or procedure(s) which may be discussed or taught in this course.
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. 8:00 – 8:05 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast Welcome & Course Overview – Emily Smith, MD and Melissa Xiong, MSW, LCSW |
Connecting with Purpose | ||
8:05 a.m. | Community Building Circles (Interactive Workshop) | Amy Seegmiller Renner, PhD |
8:45 a.m. | Building Connections: A Life and Leadership Superpower | Jill Lenhart, MD |
9:15 a.m. | Authenticity in the Workplace Panel Conversation with Q&A | Arial Treankler, PsyD |
9:45 a.m. | Why Workshop | Terri Nordin, MD |
10:30 –11:00 a.m. | Break and Poster Viewing |
11:00 a.m. | Resiliency | Amit Sood, MD |
11:30 a.m. | Who Are You: Individuality in a Corporate Enterprise | Catherine Thomas, MDiv |
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Social Lunch and Poster Viewing |
1:00 | Mentorship and Sponsorship Panel Conversation and Q&A | Kelly Buchholtz, MSN, MBA, RN |
1:30 p.m. | Leadership | Mike Hesch |
2:00 p.m. | Belonging for All: Creating Comfort, Building Connections, & Driving Contribution | Julie Hobbs |
2:30 –3:00 p.m. | Snack Break and Poster Viewing |
3:00 p.m. | Breathing Workshop | Paul Min, PhD |
3:45 p.m. | Wrap-Up Reflection Circles | Amy Seegmiller Renner, PhD |
Grounded in Connection Celebration and Networking Event | ||
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Social Hour and Local Musical Talent (drinks and appetizers provided) | |
All travel and lodging expenses are the sole responsibility of the individual registrant. You may book a stay via the link below. Group rates apply for the first 20 rooms booked or through 3.22.26.
The Lismore Hotel – a DoubleTree by Hilton
333 Gibson St. Eau Claire, WI 54701
Direct Line: 715-318-6344 | Fax Line: 715-318-6368 Use code "Group Code" or WIL
Course Directors
Emily R. Smith M.D.
Melissa Xiong M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Mayo Faculty
Terri Nordin M.D.
Amy Seegmiller Renner Ph.D., M.S.
Julie Hobbs
Arial Treankler, Psy.D.
Jacqueline Corona, MD
Marquita Davis, M.P.H
Sharonne Hayes, MD
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Statement(s):
AMA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ACHE
By attending the WILMA: Women in Leadership, Medicine and Academics 2026 offered by Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science participants may earn up to 7.25 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.
ANCC
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this activity for a maximum of 7.25 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AOA
The American Osteopathic Association designates this program for a maximum of 7.25 AOA Category 2-A credits.
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is approved to offer Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course will receive 7.25 general continuing education credits.
Other Healthcare Professionals:
A record of attendance will be provided to all registrants for requesting credits in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies or other professional associations.
For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s) and staff, please go here to review disclosures.
Available Credit
- 7.25 ACHE
- 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 7.25 ANCC
- 7.25 AOA
- 7.25 ASWB
- 7.25 Attendance
Mayo Clinic recognizes these types of educational programs would not be possible without your support; however, WILMA: Women in Leadership, Medicine and Academics 2026 is not able to offer any opportunities at this time.
To see the course fee, please log in or create an account
| Registration Fee(s) | |
|---|---|
| M.D., D.O., Ph.D. | $250 |
| Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees | $250 |
Before registering, please update your profile
To claim credit for livestream participation in this course, learners must view the content during the hours posted for the live activity. This course is not approved for on-demand delivery.
Commitment to Belonging and Inclusion
Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (MCSCPD) strives to foster a learning environment in which all individuals are valued, allowing all to achieve their fullest potential.
Every effort will be made to accommodate dietary requirements; however, some requests may not be feasible based on venue kitchen capabilities. Attendees will be contacted in advance if a dietary restriction cannot be fulfilled.
The Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development strives for fully accessible learning experiences. If you anticipate any barriers while attending this course, please reach out to the course coordinator who will be in touch with all registrants. If you need disability-related accommodations, please contact the Office of Wellness and Academic Support – Disability Access Services at MCCMS.DS@mayo.edu.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
View Cancellation and Refund Policy
All requests must be submitted in writing using the Contact Us Form.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions of Registration.