Leadership development is not a one-size-fits-all journey. From navigating the early stages of a healthcare career to preparing for executive leadership, access to meaningful relationships, experienced guidance, and professional development can make a lasting difference.
At the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Dallas–Fort Worth Chapter, we’re committed to creating opportunities that support healthcare professionals at every stage of their leadership journey.
That’s why we’re excited to announce that applications are officially open for the 2027 NAHSE DFW Mentorship Program and our newly launched Executive Ascension Program.
These two distinct pathways reflect our continued investment in developing healthcare leaders, strengthening professional networks, and creating opportunities for experienced leaders to give back.
The NAHSE DFW Mentorship Program: Building Connections That Support Growth
Our established Mentorship Program creates opportunities for developing healthcare professionals to connect with experienced leaders who can offer career guidance, perspective, and support.
Whether participants are exploring career possibilities, navigating transitions, strengthening their leadership skills, or building professional relationships, mentorship provides a space to learn from those who have walked similar paths.
The program emphasizes professional growth, meaningful connections, and engagement within the healthcare leadership community.
Who Can Participate?
Mentees
The program welcomes individuals at several stages of professional development:
- Undergraduate students
- Fellows and residents
- Early-career professionals
- Mid-career professionals
Mentees must be national NAHSE members and members of the NAHSE DFW Chapter in 2027.
Mentors
We’re also seeking experienced healthcare leaders who are willing to share their knowledge, perspective, and professional experiences.
Mentors must be national NAHSE members and NAHSE DFW Chapter members. They must also meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Hold a Director, Vice President, or Senior Executive position within their organization
- Have at least five years of healthcare management experience
Mentorship is an opportunity not only to receive guidance but also to contribute to the development of others. Both roles are essential to building a strong and connected healthcare leadership community.
Introducing the Executive Ascension Program: Preparing for the Next Level of Leadership
New for 2027, the NAHSE DFW Executive Ascension Program is a six-month executive readiness fellowship designed specifically for Director-level healthcare professionals preparing to transition into Vice President responsibilities.
Advancing into executive leadership requires more than strong departmental performance. It calls for the ability to think across an enterprise, navigate complex organizational dynamics, influence strategic decisions, and connect operational challenges to broader organizational priorities.
The Executive Ascension Program creates a focused development experience centered on these competencies.
Through executive coaching and exposure to experienced healthcare leaders, participants will strengthen their ability to approach challenges from an enterprise-level perspective while preparing for expanded leadership responsibilities.
The program includes a capstone experience in which participants present and defend an executive-level strategic plan, demonstrating their ability to integrate leadership perspectives into a comprehensive approach.
Who Can Participate?
Executive Readiness Fellows
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Current role: Hold a Director-level position within a healthcare organization.
- Membership: Be a national NAHSE member and a member of the NAHSE DFW Chapter for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
- Prior experience: Have participated in a formal mentorship program through NAHSE, ACHE, or another organization.
The program is intended for leaders who are ready to strengthen their enterprise perspective and prepare for the responsibilities associated with Vice President-level leadership.
Executive Coaches
We are also seeking senior healthcare leaders who can contribute their expertise to this executive development experience.
Executive Coaches must:
- Be national NAHSE members and NAHSE DFW Chapter members.
- Hold a Vice President or Senior Executive position within their organization.
Their participation provides fellows with access to executive perspectives and leadership experience that can help shape their professional growth.
Which Pathway Is Right for You?
While both programs support professional development, they are designed for different career stages and leadership goals.
| Mentorship Program | Executive Ascension Program |
|---|---|
| Supports undergraduates, fellows/residents, early-careerists, and mid-careerists | Designed for current Director-level healthcare professionals |
| Focuses on career guidance, professional relationships, and leadership development | Focuses on executive readiness, enterprise strategy, and VP-level responsibilities |
| Connects developing professionals with experienced healthcare mentors | Provides executive coaching and a strategic capstone experience |
| Welcomes qualified mentors who want to support others’ development | Welcomes qualified VP and Senior Executive coaches |
Both pathways recognize that leadership development is strengthened through relationships, shared knowledge, and opportunities to learn from others.
Important Dates for the 2027 Programs
Applications are currently open for both programs.
- Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST
- Interview Period: Mid-November 2026
- Applicant Notifications: Mid-December 2026
- Virtual Program Kickoff: January 2027
- Program Dates: February 1 – July 31, 2027
- Executive Ascension Capstone Presentation: Date to be announced
Additional program expectations and timeline details are provided within the application.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re seeking professional guidance, preparing for a future executive role, or looking for a meaningful way to invest in the development of other healthcare leaders, we invite you to explore these opportunities.
The strength of NAHSE DFW has always been rooted in the people who contribute their time, experience, expertise, and commitment to developing one another.
These programs are another way we continue building that community.
Applications close Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.
Apply for the 2027 NAHSE DFW Mentorship and Executive Ascension Programs
For questions about eligibility or program participation, please contact mentorship@nahsedfw.org.
Stay connected with NAHSE Dallas–Fort Worth for program updates, professional development opportunities, and upcoming chapter events.
Our Mission in the DFW Metroplex
NAHSE was founded to support the development and advancement of Black healthcare leaders and to elevate health equity through education, advocacy, and community engagement. In the DFW Metroplex, one of the largest and most dynamic healthcare markets in the country, that mission is not abstract. It is practical, necessary, and increasingly urgent.
Our chapter serves as a professional home for executives, administrators, clinicians, students, and emerging leaders who are committed to shaping the future of healthcare. We believe leadership is not built in isolation. It is built through access to networks, exposure to real-world insight, and spaces where leaders can learn from one another across roles, disciplines, and career stages.
Equity and Inclusion as Core Strategy
“Advancing equity and inclusion in healthcare leadership is not a side initiative. It is central to building strong, effective organizations.”
NAHSE Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter
For NAHSE DFW, this means creating spaces where leaders from diverse backgrounds can connect, grow, and lead, while also engaging partners across the healthcare community who share a commitment to improving access, outcomes, and trust in care delivery. These conversations are not theoretical. They are grounded in the realities of healthcare administration, clinical operations, and community health across North Texas.
Strengthening the Leadership Ecosystem
Over the past year, NAHSE DFW has been focused on strengthening this leadership ecosystem through professional development programming, leadership conversations, and partnerships with organizations across the region. Our events and forums are designed to bridge strategy and practice, bringing together executives, clinicians, administrators, and community voices to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping healthcare today. This approach reflects a broader commitment: not only to support individual career growth, but to strengthen the leadership pipeline for our entire region.
Equally important is our focus on access and engagement across career stages. There are many ways to get involved with NAHSE DFW:
- Professional development events
- Our mentorship program
- Community outreach
- Leadership discussions
Whether you are a student exploring your path, an early- or mid-career professional expanding your impact, or a senior leader committed to developing others, our chapter offers meaningful opportunities to connect and contribute locally.
A Shared Commitment with ACHE of North Texas
This work aligns closely with the broader goals of the Community, Culture & Inclusion Committee and the ACHE of North Texas community. Many members in our chapter also proudly serve as members of ACHE of North Texas, reflecting the strong alignment and shared commitment to advancing inclusive, high-impact healthcare leadership across the region. The challenges facing healthcare today, including quality, sustainability, workforce resilience, and equity, require leaders who are both operationally strong and deeply aware of the communities they serve. NAHSE DFW is proud to be part of that shared leadership effort.
Looking Ahead
Healthcare will continue to evolve. The need for thoughtful, inclusive, and effective leadership will only grow. NAHSE DFW remains committed to being a catalyst for that leadership right here in North Texas.
We invite healthcare leaders, administrators, clinicians, and students across the Metroplex to engage with our chapter through our programs, partnerships, and professional community as we continue building leadership pathways that strengthen our healthcare system and the communities it serves.
Prepared by the NAHSE Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter Communications Committee, on behalf of the NAHSE DFW Board of Directors.
