Program Description

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) is pleased to offer the Leadership and Education for Allied Professionals (LEAP) program.  

The Heart Rhythm Society is the leading membership society and the voice for the electrophysiology ecosystem. HRS boasts more than 9,000 heart rhythm care professionals in more than 90 countries.

Allied Professionals provide essential services that promote health, prevent diseases, and deliver health care services to individuals, families, and communities alike.  The healthcare industry is demonstrating high growth rates in both developing and developed regions around the world.  As the healthcare industry evolves, today’s best practices will continue to change drastically. That’s why allied professionals must regularly expand their knowledge and skills – which means continuous education is not a passive option but an absolute necessity for any allied professional who wants to provide high-quality patient care.

The Leadership and Education for Allied Professionals (LEAP) offers HRS allied professional members an opportunity to enhance and revitalize their leadership and career development skills through education, coaching, and building professional networks. The purpose of LEAP is to provide the knowledge and skills needed to augment the path to leadership within HRS and academic or private practice medicine. Topics covered will range from strategic communication skills, and negotiation practices to address management issues, and conflict resolution skills. LEAP offers a safe environment to forge long-lasting collegial relationships, exchange information and elevate best practices.

LEAP touches on the opportunities and challenges that allied professionals face in their heart rhythm career and allows participants to employ effective, collaborative methods of leadership within their organizations and HRS. Participants will focus on developing their leadership skills and personal influence as well as explore strategies for goal development and advancement strategies.   As the leading organization for EP leaders, the value of being a part of this career shaping experience is unparalleled.

Carrie Harvey, MSN, PhD, ACNP will serve as the 2025-2026 LEAP Chair and Erica Zado, PAC, FHRS will serve as Vice Chair.

Program Eligibility & Commitment

LEAP is open to all HRS allied professional members. LEAP will be delivered as a one-year program that includes webinars, face-to-face networking opportunities, and educational sessions. Successful completion of the program is determined by participants attending all required events outlined below.

The 2025-2026 LEAP Class Schedule

  • April 24, 2025:  Session and gathering at Heart Rhythm 2025 (expenses not covered by HRS).
  • Summer 2025: Online Meet-Up/Webinar.
  • September 3-4, 2025: Leadership Retreat at HRX in Atlanta, GA (expenses covered by HRS).
  • November 2025: Webinar.
  • February 2026: Leadership Retreat (expenses covered by HRS).
  • March 2026: Webinar.
  • April 2026: Session and gathering at Heart Rhythm 2026 (travel expenses to meeting not covered by HRS).

Applications

Successful candidates must have the potential and desire to invest time and energy into developing their leadership skills. The program will require an investment from the individual and support from their organization. Only applicants who are available to attend each in-person and virtual event will be considered. The LEAP Chair and Vice-Chair will review all eligible candidates and select up to 20 participants.  HRS reserves the right to decline application(s) based on its sole and absolute discretion.

Completed applications will include:

  • A completed online application.
  • A completed personal statement, which includes leadership experience in organized medicine and/or the community, and a 250-750 word written personal statement describing your healthcare passions and leadership goals..
  • One letter of recommendation from a colleague (ie. Peer, Fellow physician, division chief).
  • A current CV.

Note: Each of the requirements above must be included/uploaded with the online application. The system will not accept an application without the required files. Please do not email any materials directly.

Applications for the 2025-2026 LEAP cohort will open on January 6, 2025 and close on February 3, 2025. All applicants will be notified of their application status by March 14, 2025. 

LEAP Class of 2025

LEAP Class of 2025: Laura J. Andreychuk

Laura J. Andreychuk
Sault Area Hospital

LEAP Class of 2025: Erin Anthony

Erin Anthony
Montefiore Medical Center

LEAP Class of 2025: Kelly M. Bergen

Kelly M. Bergen
CaroMont Heart & Vascular

LEAP Class of 2025: Caitlin Booze

Caitlin Booze
Catholic Medical Center

LEAP Class of 2025: Faith A. Cordle

Faith A. Cordle
Saint Lukes Cardiovascular Consultants

LEAP Class of 2025: Uloma Ijomah

Uloma Ijomah
White Plains Hospital

LEAP Class of 2025: Jesse-Lee Lavoie

Jesse-Lee Lavoie
Cardiac RMS

LEAP Class of 2025: Mary Leier

Mary Leier
Cedars Sinai Heart Institute

LEAP Class of 2025: Joanne Medie

Joanne Medie
Loma Linda University Health

LEAP Class of 2025: Alanna Miller

Alanna Miller
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

LEAP Class of 2025: Audrey Nicholson

Audrey Nicholson
Baylor Scott & White Health

LEAP Class of 2025: Tristan Pendergrass

Tristan Pendergrass
Harding University

LEAP Class of 2025: Anca Ruta

Anca Ruta
Valley Health System Ridgewood NJ

LEAP Class of 2025: Ashley Sears

Ashley Sears
Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute

LEAP Class of 2025: Amanda C. Sowell

Amanda C. Sowell
Atrium Health, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute

LEAP Class of 2025: Yekaterina Spivak

Yekaterina Spivak
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

LEAP Class of 2025: Hieu Thi Tieu

Hieu Thi Tieu
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

LEAP Class of 2025: Julie Mary Thomas

Julie Mary Thomas
North Shore University Hospital-Northwell Health

LEAP Class of 2025: Jamie Treskot

Jamie Treskot
Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute

LEAP Class of 2025: Brianna Wolfe

Brianna Wolfe
Georgia Arrhythmia Consultants & Research Institute

Previous Years

LEAP 2023 Fall Huddle

In the midst of the HRX 2023 conference, a select group of allied professionals convened for the LEAP Fall Huddle. This gathering marked the second in-person meeting of the 2023-2024 Leadership and Education for Allied Professionals (LEAP) Program, an initiative dedicated to empowering professionals to take charge of their careers and become trailblazers in their respective fields.

For many healthcare professionals, the transition from clinical training to effective leadership can be challenging. The LEAP Fall Huddle was purpose-built to bridge this gap. It served as a beacon of inspiration, guiding participants toward unlocking their leadership potential.

Cultivating Leadership Excellence: Highlights from the 2023 LEAP Retreat

Paving the way for transformative change, the 2023 LEAP Leadership Retreat, allowed attendees to embark on a journey of comprehensive leadership training, and explore the art of idea development through TED-Ed workshops, the science of negotiation mastery, and insights into fostering effective collaboration with industry partners. This immersive 1.5-day retreat, designed to equip participants with invaluable skills and knowledge, offered unparalleled avenues for growth, networking, and personal development. Let's take a look back at the expertly curated agenda and invigorating sessions that defined the essence of this year's LEAP Leadership retreat.

This program is supported by

LEAP Program 2024-2026 Sponsor: iRhythm
LEAP Program 2024-2026 Sponsor: Medtronic
MURJ-LEAPSponsor-300x182

Questions