SEA Group Coaching Program January 2027 - April 2027The SEA Coaching Committee is thrilled to offer a 4 - part group coaching program for Medical Educators in the upcoming academic year. This professional growth series will be tailored for Program Directors, Associate Program Directors, and Fellowship Directors.
PROGRAM OVERVIEWThe Society for Education in Anesthesia (SEA) Professional Growth Series is a longitudinal, small-group coaching experience. This second group coaching program builds on the success of the 2026 program and is designed specifically for Program Directors, Associate Program Directors, and Fellowship Directors in academic medicine. For an overview of group coaching, please see below. Leadership within graduate medical education is increasingly complex, requiring educators to navigate evolving accreditation expectations, faculty and learner development, institutional pressures, workforce challenges, and changing educational landscapes. While these roles are highly impactful, they can also be professionally isolating and emotionally demanding. This four-part coaching series is designed to create a confidential, developmental space for reflection, connection, strategic thinking, and professional growth among educational leaders. Through facilitated coaching conversations, peer dialogue, and structured reflection, participants will explore professional identity, institutional navigation, programmatic challenges, and intentional approaches to sustainable stewardship of trainee programs. The program emphasizes strengths-based development, reflective practice, psychological safety, and collaborative learning within a national community of medical educators. PROGRAM GOALSParticipants will:
PROGRAM DETAILSProgram FormatA small cohort of individuals will meet for 4, 90-minute group coaching sessions guided by experienced certified, coach faculty and coach-trained facilitators. Participants will set their own unique academic career and/or personal goals for the coaching program. These may be specific, concrete goals or much looser desires or aspirations for personal / professional growth. Each session will involve:
Proposed Session Timeline (2027):Wednesdays, 2:30–4:00 PM PT | 3:30–5:00 PM MT | 4:30–6:00 PM CT | 5:30–7:00 PM ET
Informal Meet & Greet: SEA Fall Meeting, Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 5:00PM Register HereCoach FacultyThe SEA Group Coaching Program will be led by: Dr. Karen Souter, MB BS, MACM, PCC, MCM Dr. Aileen Adriano, MD Coach Facilitators will include SEA members who have completed the SEA Coach-Training for Leaders & Educators. For more information, please reach out to Aileen ([email protected]) or Karen ([email protected]). Registration and Commitment ExpectationsRegistration opens on July 1, 2026, through the official Society for Education in Anesthesia (SEA) website. The program fee is $250. Participant Registration Process We invite all interested individuals to schedule a brief interview with the program’s coach faculty. Because participants are expected to:
We kindly ask all potential participants to schedule a discovery interview. Group coaching is a highly relational and longitudinal experience, and this brief discovery conversation is designed to explore participants' goals, discuss expectations for the program, answer any questions, and help ensure that the coaching experience is a good fit for their professional development needs. Scheduling LinksSEA Membership is required to participate. The deadline to register is Sunday, October 11, 2026 Prior to the start of the group coaching program in January 2027, participants are encouraged to obtain endorsement from the faculty leader or administrator to whom they report. This endorsement serves as acknowledgement and support that participants will receive scheduling priority and protected time, when feasible, to fully participate in all coaching sessions Register HereThemes for each session include: (Please note the themes of each session may change a little as determined by the needs and direction the cohort wishes to move in). Session 1: Professional Identity, Strengths, and ConnectionThe opening session focuses on building a supportive coaching community while inviting participants to reflect on their professional identity as medical education leaders. Through guided reflection and coaching conversations, participants will explore their strengths, values, and aspirations, identify meaningful goals for the series, and establish a foundation for ongoing growth and peer support. Session 2: Roles, Priorities, and PerspectiveThis session provides an opportunity to step back from the demands of educational leadership and reflect on the many roles, responsibilities, and priorities participants navigate. Coaching conversations will encourage greater awareness of current challenges, competing demands, and areas of opportunity while supporting intentional reflection on what matters most. Session 3: Intentional Leadership and Forward MovementBuilding on insights from earlier sessions, participants will explore factors that influence their leadership and professional growth. Through coaching and peer dialogue, they will examine opportunities, barriers, and emerging priorities while identifying practical strategies that support intentional action and meaningful progress. Session 4: Sustaining Growth and Looking AheadThe final session focuses on integrating insights gained throughout the coaching experience and translating them into a personalized path forward. Participants will reflect on their growth, refine their priorities, celebrate progress, and develop strategies to sustain momentum beyond the conclusion of the coaching series. SEA Group Coaching Program GoalsParticipation in this program will offer the following opportunities:
What is Group Coaching?Much like individual coaching, group coaching is grounded in the core belief that each coachee (person being coached) is “intelligent, resourceful and able to determine their own path”. The coach’s role is to create a safe, confidential space where the coachee can set their own goals, aspirations and direction for growth. With the coach’s support, coachees are empowered to explore deeper insights and discover novel ways to move towards their desired outcome(s). The coaching process offers opportunities for self-reflection and encourages alignment of direction with personal strengths and values. The result is sustainable growth and development, obliteration of burnout and replacement of striving with thriving! Group coaching brings together a cohort of individuals, each with their own goals and aspirations, to grow and progress in a supportive environment. Within the safety of the group, members move forward together learning from one another and building shared momentum. The group coaching process is guided by experienced coach faculty and facilitators who provide consistent guidance, encouragement, and resources every step of the way to ensure a meaningful and successful experience for each participant. The power of group coaching lies not only in the support provided by coaching faculty and facilitators but also in the collaboration amongst cohort members and the inherent sense of accountability. This dynamic encourages participants to stay engaged and motivated, empowering them to achieve their desired outcomes. Who would benefit from the SEA Group Coaching Program?This program is designed for academic anesthesiologists at any stage of their career who are ready to explore what’s next. Whether you’re feeling excited and curious about the next stage of career development, feeling stuck and uninspired in your current academic path or eager to work collaboratively while aligning your work with your strengths and values, the SEA Group Coaching Program is for you. The program supports individuals to work on their unique goals within the framework of the group coaching process. What is the Commitment?The program requires that participants commit to attending 4, 90-minute meetings. The program will be entirely online. Provisional dates:
A modest fee of $250 will be required to cover the costs of SEA administration. SEA Membership is required to participate. The deadline to register is Sunday, October 11, 2026. Register Here |
