Sara Jo Grethlein - Drexel University College of Medicine

Sara Jo’s Story…S ara Jo Grethlein, M.D., is currently AssociateDean for Graduate Medical Education andAssociate Professor of Medicine. The oncologistnot only treats cancer patients, but she alsoattends to her duties as a top educator at StateUniversity New York Upstate Medical University.In her position, she oversees the trainingprograms for roughly 450 residents and fellowsat Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Herduties range from reviewing curricula andaccreditation documents, and meeting withresidents who may be struggling, to participatingin educational events such aslectures or small group teaching.Dr. Grethlein received herundergraduate degree in chemicalengineering from WashingtonUniversity in St. Louis, Mo.,completed medical school atSUNY Brooklyn, then returnedto St. Louis for her residency ininternal medicine and fellowshipsin hematology and oncology. Shecame to Upstate after acquiring her fellowships.Her career thus far has been filled with manymemorable experiences. Dr. Grethlein earnedthe Anita Award from Hospice and PalliativeCare Associates in November of 2002. In 2004,she was named one the Central New York’s BestDoctors by a survey published by In GoodHealth—CNY Healthcare Newspaper. Shereceived the Upstate Medical Center President’sAward for Excellence in Teaching in 2005.Dr. Grethlein also mentors through the studentchapter of the American Medical Women’sAssociation.In Sara Jo’s own words:“The most important door that ELAM openedwas the one that I constructed. ELAM gave methe tools necessary to see past barriers and tostop imposing limitations on myself. One of themost useful exercises was the series of interviewsI conducted with leaders across myinstitution. I now find myself welcomedby all of them, and thought of by themfor new opportunities. I was put incharge of a significant component ofan institution-wide strategic planninginitiative in part as a result of suchan interview.My ELAM/ ELUM community remainsan ongoing element of my professionallife. We have monthly conference callsand have had 3 in-person meetings sincethe end of ELAM. Everyone can't make everyencounter, but it has been a significant support –a safe haven for discussion, rehearsal and personalstrategic planning. We often reference our ELAMmaterials (within the past month, we reviewedPage Morahan's notes on preparing an ExecutiveSummary). I have also reached out to ELUMs thatI don’t personally know when doing referencechecks on potential leaders at our institution.Each of these connections has been fruitful anda positive experience.“I give to ELAM out of a sense of gratitude.”The ELAM experience was a gift. The “TOOT”(time-out-of-time) to focus on my personal careerdevelopment, the ongoing community, and the“Middle-aged Girls Network” are key elements tomy professional life. It was constructive, fun andeye opening. There are insufficient opportunitiesfor reflection, truly constructive critique (free ofpolitical entanglements), and experimentation inacademic medicine. ELAM has advanced my skills,built my network and opened a multitude of doorsfor me.I give to ELAM out of a sense of gratitude. Myinstitution chose to invest in my professionalfuture, and I have reaped the benefits. In ourcurrent (perpetual?) climate of fiscal constraint,this program might be seen by some as a luxury. Ibelieve that ELAM is an essential ingredient to thesuccess of women in Academic Medicine. Not onlydoes ELAM contribute to individual professionaladvancement, but the research generated by theELAM team provides data to construct optimalcareer ladders for the next generation. I also giveto ELAM out of selfishness – I enjoy the websitediscussion, the Job Postings, and the ongoing senseof a web of supportive peers lurking behind me.”…supporting a legacy of women’s leadership

Thank you, Class of 2007The ELAM ® Program was established as a legacy of women’s leadershiprooted in the first medical school for women. This legacy of women’sleadership now continues with YOU. Many ELUMs have describedtheir experience in ELAM as life changing, transformational,empowering and affirming. Others have called it priceless and a gift.Participating in ELAM requires a significant commitment. We ask foryour continued commitment and support, to ELAM and to advancingthe legacy of women’s leadership, through your gift.As we celebrate the successes of ELUMs, we recognize that our workremains far from done. Along with preparing women for roles asleaders and change agents, we are committed to provide continuingstewardship of your leadership journeys. With your help, we will beginto plan a range of activities focusing on ELUMs by:Building the ELAM Community: expanding support for nationaland regional face-to-face meetings of ELAM alumnae with seedgrants from our new Legacy Fund as well as more powerful virtualconnectionsDonna ArnettSuzanne BarbourIris BorowskyAllison BrashearFerne BravemanRobin BreySally CamperJoan CangiarellaMolly CarnesKaren ColleyDoris CopeGiselle Corbie-SmithLinda CottlerMyriam CuretAnne CurtisDiane DaveyCheryl DeVoreTeresa DolanMona FouadLinda FrenchBarbara GreenbergSara Jo GrethleinCheryl HanauJeri HepworthJoanne HildenRobin JarrettJudith JonesCynthia JumperElla KazerooniJudy KerstenJanice LageVeronica MallettMartha MedranoJoyce MitchellAlicia MonroeWendy MouradianAina PuceMichele PugnaireSandra QuinnVéronique RogerShelley SmithCarol TerreginoDebara TucciBrenda WilsonAnne WrightHelen YinZofia ZukowskaMary Zutter“ELAM deserves our support and I am pleased to contribute.” -Lisa Tedesco(ELAM Class of 1997)Class of 2007: Cumulative giving of $2,250.Thank you for your continued support.Sustaining Successful Leadership and Transitions: reaching outto address all aspects of the leadership continuum, from changingroles to moving to new positions within or beyond their institutionDeveloping Post-ELAM Educational Opportunities: creating aportfolio of advanced modules to further your professionaldevelopment beyond ELAMINTRODUCING THE LEGACY FUNDIn April 2009, the graduating ELAM class raised more than $20,000 indonations and pledges, with the goal of establishing explicit support forELAM alumnae programming. With their generous initial contributionof $7,000, ELAM has initiated the Legacy Fund aimed at providingsupport for community building within and across classes and learningcommunities. Once the Legacy Project funds reach $25,000, ELAM willestablish a process for ELAM alumnae to apply for seed grants to sponsorclass reunions, regional ELUM gatherings and similar events. In theLegacy Fund’s initial phase, a portion of your gift will go to buildingthis fund.