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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.
Erica Zado, PAC, FHRS will serve as the 2026-2027 LEAP Chair and James O'Hara, PhD, PAC, FHRS, CCDS 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 2026-2027 LEAP Class Schedule
- April 24, 2026: Reception at Heart Rhythm 2026 (travel expenses to the annual meeting and annual meeting registration fees not covered by HRS).
- Summer 2025: Online Meet-Up/Webinar.
- September 17-18, 2026: Leadership Retreat at HRX in Atlanta, GA (expenses covered by HRS).
- October 2026: Webinar
- November 2026: Webinar.
- January 2027: Webinar
- February 2027: Leadership Retreat (expenses covered by HRS).
- March 2027: Webinar.
- April 2027: Reception at Heart Rhythm 2027 (travel expenses to the annual meeting and annual meeting registration fees 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 2026-2027 LEAP cohort will open on January 2, 2026 and close on February 1, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their application status by March 14, 2026.