Sanjay Dhar, MD, FACP, FCCP, clinical faculty and professor in the division of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, has been accepted into the 2025 College of Medicine Leadership Academy.
The College of Medicine Leadership Academy is a prestigious, cohort-based program designed to equip new and aspiring academic leaders with the tools to successfully lead departments and divisions. Each year, 20 participants are selected for this intensive experience, where they develop key skills in navigating college policies, faculty evaluations, budgeting, HR processes, and leadership strategy. The program also emphasizes professionalism, mentoring, and faculty development, while fostering a strong network of emerging leaders across the college. Graduates of the academy are well-prepared to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Dr. Dhar possesses a long list of accomplishments and interests, including research and work in ARDS, lung injury, critical care ultrasound and echocardiography, shock, ICU rehabilitation, long-term outcomes for ICU survivors, and utilizing muscle ultrasound to assess functional recovery in critically ill patients. The College of Medicine Leadership Academy is yet another achievement to add to his ever-growing resume.
Why Did You Apply for the 2025 College of Medicine Leadership Academy?
I applied to the College of Medicine Leadership Academy because I believe that effective leadership is built on the pillars of collaboration, understanding the long-term vision of the organization, and developing pathways to bridge gaps so that this vision becomes a shared one – one that people within the organization feel connected to, take ownership of, and rally together to achieve a common goal. This College of Medicine Leadership Academy is important to me because it offers a structured opportunity to develop these skills in a community of peers and mentors who are equally committed to advancing academic medicine.
After your participation in the Leadership Academy, what are your goals?
The College of Medicine Leadership Academy will provide me with the platform to share my ideas, connect with like-minded peers, and gain new insights by working in a structured learning environment. This will enhance my leadership skills and help me understand systems-based care to foster positive change in the fields of patient care, medical education, and quality improvement. I want to contribute to the health care environment by valuing excellence in care and empowering those who deliver that care.
What keeps you professionally motivated?
Every day when I go to work, I feel the weight of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of caring for critically ill patients. Families and patients rely on us as providers of care, and I believe that in this position, we must be honest in our work, commitment, and professionalism to deliver evidence-based medicine to the best of our ability. The clinical outcomes of the care we provide may not always be within our control, but at the end of the day, we should definitely feel that we tried our best. Every life saved and every smile from a grateful patient or their loved ones motivates me to perform at my peak.
What do you enjoy most about working at UK HealthCare?
The people, the staff, and the clinical members of the team who provide care are genuinely compassionate and take pride in the work they do. Each and every one wants to excel, and their work means a great deal to them. Working alongside my colleagues from all departments, including fellows, residents, APPs, nurses, respiratory therapists, and case managers during the challenging times of COVID has truly been a privilege.