Devdutta G. Sangvai, MD, MBA, the immediate past president of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS), a 2004 alumnus of the NCMS Foundation Leadership College and associate chief medical officer at Duke University Health Systems, has been selected to be a member of the inaugural class of Presidential Leadership Scholars. This unique leadership development initiative draws upon the resources of the U.S. presidential centers of Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton and George W. Bush. Dr. Sangvai is one of only 60 individuals nationwide to be chosen to participate from among 900 applicants.

These 60 scholars demonstrated their desire and capacity to take their leadership strengths to a higher level in order to help their communities and our country. The program began on Feb. 24, 2015, at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, and will span a 6-month period during which the scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key administration officials and leading academics and put into practice varying approaches to leadership, develop a network of peers and exchange ideas with mentors and others who can help them make an impact in their communities.

The program is non-degree bearing, and entails approximately 100 hours of informative sessions and case studies, and covers expansive approaches to leadership theory, drawing upon examples from recent presidents. The curriculum draws from presidential center archives and resources related to leadership moments from each administration. It includes insights from how each president addressed pressing challenges and benefits from the participation of President George W. Bush and President William J. Clinton. It also relies upon in-depth analyses of how leaders across all sectors address similar types of challenges.

“I’m honored and excited to participate in this unique experience,” Sangvai said. “I look forward not only to the content of the courses, but also to learning from my fellow scholars. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I intend to make the most of it personally and bring back innovative ideas and methods to help improve health care in North Carolina.”