The healthcare industry is a complex, multitrillion‑dollar enterprise facing intensifying challenges in access, cost, quality and rising consumer expectations. Recognizing the critical role clinicians play in navigating the complex healthcare industry, we created the Norton Provider Leadership Academy. As an academy participant, you will gain a deeper understanding of the business of healthcare, strengthen your leadership capabilities and enhance your ability to meaningfully engage in shaping the future of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s.

For complete information, please see the detailed brochure.

Eligibility

The Norton Provider Leadership Academy welcomes physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants employed by Norton Healthcare, including those employed by Norton Medical Group and Norton Children’s Medical Group, as well as physicians providing facility-based services through exclusive contracts, such as anesthesia, emergency medicine and radiology. 

Curriculum

The Norton Provider Leadership Academy offers a highly interactive, solutions-based curriculum guided by current management and leadership principles.

The curriculum delivers an opportunity to enhance leadership competencies and skills for dedicated providers who are interested in preparing for the future of healthcare. Offered in conjunction with the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL), the academy explores key leadership and management topics, including:

• Building and leading effective teams
• Business fundamentals such as finance, negotiation and quality
• Healthcare law
• Managing provider performance
• Principles of change management
• Quality improvement and measurement systems

Classes are held one Saturday a month and include on-site AAPL and Norton Healthcare instructor-led courses and speakers. Classes are not scheduled in April, June, October or December.

Continuing Education

Sessions will l provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™ and Kentucky Board of Nursing credits.

Courses selected for the Norton Provider Leadership Academy are applicable for prerequisite courses for a master’s degree, as well as fulfilling course requirements for the Certified Physician Executive designation by the AAPL.

Faculty

The Norton Provider Leadership Academy is taught by experienced instructors who incorporate an engaging and challenging teaching style. These individuals work with leading healthcare systems across the country, enabling them to bring national insight to the academy curriculum.

Cost

For providers accepted to the program, Norton Healthcare pays the cost of participating in the Norton Provider Leadership Academy.

Apply

Applications are open for Norton Provider Leadership Academy through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Applicants will be notified in mid-November regarding their status. The first session is scheduled for January 2027.  Upon acceptance into the program, participants will receive the full two-year schedule.

For more information, contact:

James M. Frazier, M.D.
System Vice President
Chief Medical Officer
Norton Healthcare
[email protected]

Steven T. Hester, M.D., MBA
Senior Vice President
Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer
Norton Healthcare
[email protected]

James T. Jennings, M.D., MBA
Executive Medical Director                                                                                                                                                 
Professional Development, Efficiency and Quality
Norton Medical Group
[email protected]

Mark J. McDonald, M.D., MHA, CPE
System Vice President, Pediatric Medical Affairs
Norton Children’s
Medical Director, Norton Children’s Hospital
Professor, Pediatrics
University of Louisville School of Medicine
[email protected]

You also can email questions to the Norton Healthcare Center for Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].