Abstract
This dissertation in practice studied the experience of medical school deans’ locus of control in the context of leading an Academic Medical Center (AMC). The aim of this study was to expand the understanding a dean’s AMC leadership role to assist future and enhance current medical school deans’ professional development in collaboration with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Fifteen veteran AAMC medical school deans, located in the northeastern, southern, western, and central U.S. regions were interviewed via the phone or using a virtual web-based conferencing software for this qualitative transcendental phenomenological research study. Five textural themes focused on collaborative decision-making, relationship building, resource management, practicing resilience, and AMC leadership integration were developed. The study’s findings revealed that medical school deans similarly experience internal and acknowledge the external power of others locus of control, and an AMC’s level of integration may leverage the strengths of all AMC leaders to build a collaborative alliance and a strong mission-based organizational culture. Using the learned lessons and experiences of this study’s 15 veteran dean participants, recommendations were proposed as leadership practice professional development tools to assist aspiring, new, or current medical school deans in the context of leading a successful AMC.