NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program 

Program Overview | Current Roster | Program Graduates | Reports | Program Evaluations

Learn about our New Director Buddy Program!

The applications for the 2023-2024 Fellows Program are now open!
Applications will be accepted through Monday, June 26, 2023.

Apply Today for the 2023-2024 Fellows Program!

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2023/2024 Fellows Program cohort. The information brochure has full program details, and information about past years' cohorts and program reports are available. Submit your application by June 26, 2023, to be considered for the 2023/2024 cohort. 

The Leadership Fellows Program recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching and supporting the mission of academic health sciences libraries, and actively seeks applications from individuals with varying identities and backgrounds.  

Instructions for applying to be a fellow can be found starting on page 9 of the information brochure. Potential fellows should complete the Fellows Application online including the upload of the supporting documents required with the form. Supporting documents can also be submitted to the AAHSL Office by EOD on June 26, 2023, via email. 

Information on potential mentors is also available in the information brochure on page 12. Letters/emails of interest in becoming a mentor should be sent to Judy Cohn by EOD on June 26, 2023. 

NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program

The NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program prepares emerging leaders for the position of library director in academic health sciences libraries. Fellows develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of learning settings, including exposure to leadership in another environment. They are paired with mentors who are academic health sciences library directors. The program takes advantage of flexible scheduling and an online learning community to minimize disruption to professional and personal schedules. The sponsors, NLM and AAHSL, will provide financial support for a small cohort of fellows and will underwrite travel and meeting expenses.

The NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program is designed for librarians with prior management experience. In most cases, a minimum of three to five years of experience is the baseline for candidates to be given consideration. Applicants should have a strong interest in pursuing a directorship in academic health sciences libraries, regardless of the type of library background or current setting. In its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the program actively seeks applicants from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds

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NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program 2022-2023



From left to right: Melissa Kahili-Heede (fellow), Kelly Thormodson (mentor), Diana Delgado (fellow), Jennifer McKinnell (mentor), Elizabeth (Beth) Whipple (fellow),
Dale Prince (mentor), Michelle Harrell (fellow), Catherine Soehner (mentor), Holly Grossetta Nardini (fellow), Philip Walker (mentor)

Diana Delgado, AHIP
Associate Director, Information, Education and Clinical Services, Samuel J Wood Library
Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY

Mentor:  Catherine Soehner, MLS
Associate Dean for Research and Director, Spencer S Eccles Health Sciences Library
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Michelle L. Harrell
Assistant Director, Public Services and Education, Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries
Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI

Mentor:  Philip Walker, MLIS, MSH
Director, Eskind Biomedical Library
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 

Elizabeth (Beth) C. Whipple, MLS, AHIP
Assistant Director for Research and Translational Sciences, Ruth Lilly Medical Library
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 

Mentor: Jennifer McKinnell, MA, MLIS
Director, Health Sciences Library
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario 

Holly Grossetta Nardini, MS
Associate Director, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library
Yale University, New Haven, CT 

Mentor:  J. Dale Prince, MA, MLS
Director of Libraries, John P. Ische Library
Louisiana State University Health – New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

Melissa Kahili-Heede
Librarian III, John A Burns Health Sciences Library
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

Mentor:  Kelly Thormodson, MALS
Associate Dean for Library & Information Services, Library Director, Harrell Health Sciences Library: Research and Learning Commons
Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

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Fellow Graduates

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Reports

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Evaluation

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For more information about the program, please contact Judy Cohn, Program Director, AAHSL Future Leadership Committee, [email protected].