ATS Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research (MECOR)
Women's Leadership Training Program
“Improving global lung health through development of local, country and regional lung disease research capacity”
| Dates | Oct. 3-4, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Application Deadline | May 31, 2026 |
| Application | Application here |
| MECOR Information | PATS MECOR Course Director: Obianuju Ozoh PATS MECOR Course Director: Refiloe Masekela PATS Administrator: Refiwe Mngur ATS Global Health Team: Daniel Cwirka |
The ATS/MECOR Women’s Leadership Training Program envisions a future where African women are at the forefront of medical and research leadership, driving significant advancements in respiratory health across the continent.
Who Should Apply?
The Women’s Leadership Training Program is intended for women in Africa who are involved or interested in leadership roles within respiratory health, clinical care, public health, research, education, or healthcare administration, who have successfully completed all three levels of MECOR and are full members of the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS).
Objectives
- Empower Female Leadership: To elevate the status of women in the healthcare sector by providing tailored leadership training and mentorship, acknowledging the proven capability of women as leaders evidenced by their current roles in various high-impact positions within Africa.
- Capitalize on Demonstrated Success: To build on the existing success of female leadership in the MECOR programs, where women lead five of the six regional initiatives, demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities and achieving substantial progress in respiratory health education and research.
- Strengthen Healthcare Systems: To enhance the capacity of healthcare systems across Africa by developing skilled female leaders who can effectively manage and innovate within their fields, thereby improving the overall health outcomes of the population.
- Promote Research and Development: To increase the quantity and quality of respiratory health research conducted in Africa by empowering women, who have historically demonstrated success in increasing scholarly output, as seen in the rise of publications by MECOR graduates.
- Foster Networking and Collaboration: To create a robust network of female leaders in respiratory health that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning across the continent. This network will also serve to increase the visibility of women in leadership positions within the global medical community.
Rationale
Why a Women’s Program? Historically, women have been underrepresented in leadership positions globally, including in the health sector. Recent developments within African institutions, such as women becoming directors at major banks and leading roles within MECOR, highlight a shift toward gender parity in leadership that we aim to support and amplify. The common recognition that "women are the future of leadership in Africa; they know how to get the job done" underscores the need to invest in women’s leadership training specifically.
Why Africa? Africa was chosen as the focus for this initiative following the success of the MECOR program, which started in 2007 and has been held almost annually, successfully impacting countries such as Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. The establishment of the Pan African Thoracic Society and the PATS Journal are testaments to the program’s success. Additionally, the significant increase in scientific publications by MECOR graduates from Africa emphasizes the effectiveness and potential of focused educational efforts in the region.
This vision for the ATS/MECOR Women’s Leadership Training Program is designed to leverage the existing strengths and successes of African women in healthcare leadership, providing them with the tools and support needed to drive future advancements in the field of respiratory health.