National Center for Healthcare Leadership

What National Center for Healthcare Leadership does

The National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 that operates as the premier US consortium for evidence-based healthcare leadership development. It serves US hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and graduate health management programs through three interconnected premier membership programs: Leadership Excellence Networks (LENS) for senior healthcare leaders, the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF) for fellowship recruitment standardization, and the US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP) for global healthcare partnerships. NCHL's membership spans 160+ hospitals and health systems across 37 states, with 109 NCAF member organizations and 700+ professionals engaged through USCIPP.

NCHL's product portfolio centers on proprietary frameworks, benchmarking instruments, and technology-enabled services. Core technology assets include NAFCAS (a centralized fellowship application service powered by Liaison International), Qlik Sense-based market intelligence dashboards, the USCIPP International Healthcare Collaborations Map, and the Healthcare Leadership Competency Model (3.0 in market, 4.0 launching November 2026). The organization also delivers ICF-accredited coaching certification through Healthcare Coaching Institute and operates a job board and online store. Annual events (Leadership Excellence Summit, USCIPP Annual Meeting, Gail L. Warden Award Celebration, and country-specific Healthcare Partnership Forums in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and the Caribbean) serve as both community touchpoints and revenue generators.

Revenue is generated through a diversified membership and services model: annual program membership dues (NCAF at $1,250-$1,750; LENS and USCIPP at higher tiers), corporate membership for industry vendors, ICF-accredited coaching certification ($2,800-$10,000 per participant), event registration and sponsorship, job board posting fees ($100 per listing for non-members), and data/dashboard licensing (USCIPP Market Insights Dashboard at $10,000/year externally). The organization is member-funded, governed by an industry Board of Directors, and led by CEO Dr. David L. Schreiner as of June 2026.

Name

National Center for Healthcare Leadership

Legal name

National Center for Healthcare Leadership

Website

http://www.nchl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCHL is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating premier US membership programs (LENS, NCAF, USCIPP) that deliver leadership development, standardized fellowship recruitment, and international patient program collaboration to 160+ hospitals and health systems across 37 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Leadership Development & Membership Services

NAICS

Other Services (except Public Administration) (81), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDABANAA

C-Suite & Senior Executive Coaching

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Executive Coaching Services

SECONDARYEDAAALAC

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

Keywords

• Healthcare leadership development
• Administrative fellowship recruitment
• International patient programs
• Leadership competency benchmarking
• Healthcare executive coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for LENS, NCAF, and USCIPP programs. NCAF membership is $1,750 for fellowship sites and $1,250 for graduate programs, with discounts for LENS affiliates.
2. Corporate Membership: Corporate membership program for industry partners to engage with 160+ US hospitals and health systems across NCHL's premier programs.
3. Coaching Certification Programs: ICF-accredited coach training programs in partnership with Healthcare Coaching Institute. Leadership Coach Certification ranges from $8,750-$10,000 depending on membership status. Leader as Coach program is $2,800 for members.
4. Job Board Listings: Non-members pay $100 to post jobs for 180 days. NCHL program members receive free or discounted posting as a membership benefit.
5. Event Registration and Sponsorship: Revenue from annual conferences including USCIPP Annual Meeting, Leadership Excellence Summit, and Gail L. Warden Award Celebration. Corporate sponsorship opportunities at events.
6. Research Reports and Market Intelligence: Sale of benchmarking reports, international market reports, legal due diligence reports, and dashboard access. USCIPP International Market Insights Dashboard license is $10,000 annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NCHL operates as a portfolio of premier membership programs for healthcare organizations, led by Leadership Excellence Networks (LENS) for senior healthcare leader peer exchange and benchmarking, the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF) for standardized healthcare administrative fellowship recruitment, and the US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP) for academic medical centers engaged in international healthcare. Supporting paid offerings include ICF-accredited coaching certification programs with the Healthcare Coaching Institute, benchmarking surveys, the Healthcare Leadership Competency Model, the Qlik Sense-based International Market Insights Dashboard, the NAFCAS centralized application service, a job board, and an online store for research reports.

Product overview

The National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) operates as a portfolio of premier membership programs rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include three interconnected programs: Leadership Excellence Networks (LENS) for senior healthcare leaders; National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF) supporting early-career development through fellowship recruitment; and US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP) for international patient care and global partnerships. Supporting services include Coaching Certification programs (ICF-accredited), a Job Board, and an Online Store for research reports. NCHL also conducts industry benchmarking through the National Healthcare Leadership Survey and publishes the Healthcare Leadership Competency Model (3.0/4.0 in development). Award programs include the Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award, International Healthcare Leadership Award, and BOLD Award. Technology platforms include NAFCAS (Liaison International-powered centralized application service) and the Qlik Sense-based International Market Insights Dashboard for USCIPP members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leadership Excellence Networks (LENS) A national community connecting senior healthcare leaders through councils, Learning Labs, peer exchange, and benchmarking tools grounded in validated healthcare leadership competency models to strengthen leadership and organizational outcomes.
• National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF) A national consortium of fellowship sites and graduate health management programs that establishes industry standards for administrative fellowship recruitment through standardized application dates, benchmarking surveys, and the NAFCAS centralized application service.
• US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP) A national consortium of US academic medical centers and health systems advancing international patient care and global healthcare partnerships through peer benchmarking, market research, business development events, and industry standards development.
• NCHL Job Board A job listing platform enabling NCHL member organizations and non-members to post employment opportunities in healthcare; members post free while non-members pay a $100 fee for 180-day listings.
• NCHL Online Store Digital storefront for purchasing NCHL research reports, benchmarking data, due diligence reports, and educational materials including the Implementation Guide for Administrative Fellowships.
• Coaching Certification Programs ICF-accredited virtual coach training programs delivered in partnership with the Healthcare Coaching Institute (HCI), including Leadership Coach Certification ($8,750-$10,000) and Leader as Coach ($2,800 members) for senior and executive healthcare leaders.
• National Healthcare Leadership Survey & Benchmarking Report Biennial survey enabling hospitals, health systems, and academic programs to benchmark leadership practices against peers, understand leadership investment outcomes, and track improvement over time.
• NAFCAS (National Administrative Fellowship Common Application Service) Centralized application service powered by Liaison International providing a one-stop shop for administrative fellowship sites, applicants/students, and faculty/staff to manage the fellowship application process.
• USCIPP International Market Insights Dashboard Qlik Sense-based premium dashboard ($10,000 annual license) containing international market news, country-specific economic information, healthcare data, and the embedded International Healthcare Collaborations Map for USCIPP premium members.
• USCIPP International Patient Experience Survey Initiative Standardized survey initiative measuring international patient experience and satisfaction across participating USCIPP members, developed in partnership with Rush University's Center for the Advancement of Healthcare Value.
• Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award Annual prestigious award honoring healthcare leaders whose commitment, values, and contributions have improved public health through leadership and organizational excellence, presented at an annual celebration dinner.
• NCHL International Healthcare Leadership Award Annual award recognizing leaders whose commitment and contributions have made significant positive impact on the provision of healthcare across international borders.
• Best Organizations for Leadership Development (BOLD) Award Biannual award recognizing high-performing healthcare organizations identified through the National Healthcare Leadership Survey for excellence in leadership development practices.
• Mentorship Mastermind Summer Program 2026 Seven-session virtual series connecting students, administrative fellows, and early-careerists with senior healthcare leaders, covering executive presence, communication skills, and strategic thinking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 109 member organizations in NCAF as of January 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Healthcare Coaching Institute (HCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCHL partners with the Healthcare Coaching Institute to deliver ICF-accredited virtual coach training programs tailored for healthcare leaders. Programs include Leadership Coach Certification and Leader as Coach training, led by master-coach faculty including DJ Mitsch, MCC. NCHL members receive substantial registration discounts as a core membership benefit.
• Rush University's Center for the Advancement of Healthcare Value (CAHV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCIPP partnered with Rush University's CAHV to develop the International Patient Experience Survey Initiative, including the survey instrument, methodology, administration platform, and database. The initiative launched in April 2019 and has collected thousands of survey responses from international patients.
• Liaison InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationNAFCAS (National Administrative Fellowship Common Application Service) is powered by Liaison International, providing the technology platform for centralized application processing for administrative fellowship sites, applicants, and faculty/staff.
• Korn FerrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NCHL Healthcare Leadership Competency Model was developed in partnership with leading healthcare organizations, academic experts, and Korn Ferry. The competency model defines knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for effective leadership in healthcare.
• Hogan LovellskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCIPP selected Hogan Lovells, a global law firm with deep experience in international telemedicine and healthcare law, to conduct legal due diligence on cross-border telemedicine and Remote Second Opinion services. The law firm evaluates legal issues related to telemedicine delivery across multiple international markets.
• US Embassy BahrainkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCIPP works in cooperation with US Embassy Bahrain to help connect member organizations with potential international partners. Embassy supports the 2023 US-Bahrain Healthcare Partnership Forum.
• US Embassy KuwaitkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCIPP works in cooperation with US Embassy Kuwait to facilitate connections between member hospitals and Kuwaiti healthcare sector stakeholders for the 2023 US-Kuwait Healthcare Partnership Forum.
• US Commercial Service (International Trade Administration)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSCIPP partners with the US Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration for the 2023 US-Bahrain and US-Kuwait Healthcare Partnership Forums.
• FinMark CommunicationssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEvent management and consulting firm with deep connections in Bahrain and Kuwait supporting the 2023 US-Bahrain and US-Kuwait Healthcare Partnership Forums. Provides logistics management and promotion.
• Future Mind for Conferences and Exhibitions Co.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEvent management firm supporting planning, logistics management, and promotion of the 2023 US-Bahrain and US-Kuwait Healthcare Partnership Forums in Kuwait.
• AmCham BahrainsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Chamber of Commerce Bahrain - affiliate partner supporting the 2023 US-Bahrain Healthcare Partnership Forum. Member-driven nonprofit representing American businesses and promoting trade between US and Bahrain.
• ABCK-AmCham KuwaitsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Chamber of Commerce Kuwait - affiliate partner supporting the 2023 US-Kuwait Healthcare Partnership Forum. Promotes trade and investment between US and Kuwait.
• HSBCkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerHSBC served as event partner and hosted the 2022 US-Mexico Healthcare Partnership Forum at their national headquarters (Torre HSBC) in Mexico City, in cooperation with US Embassy Mexico City.
• Global Health ExhibitionkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerNCHL served as official content partner for the 2024 Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the US-Saudi Healthcare Partnership Forum.
• Orchid Medical CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent programming partner for the 2024 US-Saudi Healthcare Partnership Forum. Orchid Medical Center is a group of family medicine clinics in Riyadh providing specialized medical referral services.
• WebTebsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent programming partner for the 2024 US-Saudi Healthcare Partnership Forum. WebTeb provides trusted Arabic-language medical and health information and serves as a communication platform between Arabic speakers and healthcare providers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE): ACHE is a direct peer — the leading professional membership society for healthcare executives offering the FACHE credential, leadership education, and networking. Both organizations target the same buyer (US healthcare senior leaders) with overlapping programs in credentialing, leadership development, and benchmarking.
• Healthcare Leadership Council: A membership-based organization of leading healthcare CEOs and executives advocating for healthcare policy and leadership development. Comparable in mission to NCHL — convening top healthcare executives to shape industry standards — though oriented more toward policy advocacy than leadership training.
• American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL): AAPL focuses on physician leadership development through education, certification, and peer networks. Comparable to NCHL in serving the healthcare leadership development market, though specialized to physician leaders rather than all senior healthcare executives.
• Medical Group Management Association (MGMA): MGMA is a membership association for medical group practice administrators offering education, benchmarking data, and certification. Comparable in serving healthcare administrators and leaders with membership dues, benchmarking surveys, and leadership training.
• American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL): AONL is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association focused on nurse leadership development. Overlaps with NCHL's leadership development mission within the nursing and broader healthcare executive segment.
• Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA): HFMA serves healthcare finance executives through education, certification, and peer networks. Comparable in the healthcare executive membership space with similar revenue model (dues, events, certification).
• National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE): NAHSE is a professional association for Black healthcare executives promoting diversity in healthcare leadership. Comparable mission of advancing healthcare leadership excellence, though with a more specific diversity focus.

Broad incumbents

• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): AAMC is a broader association representing medical schools, teaching hospitals, and academic health systems. Comparable in serving US academic medical centers with overlapping leadership development programs, though at greater scale and broader scope.
• American Hospital Association (AHA): AHA is the national trade association representing US hospitals and health systems with much broader scope than NCHL. Comparable in advocacy and convening healthcare leaders, but AHA is a much larger incumbent with overlapping leadership development and award programs.

Others

• Healthcare Coaching Institute: HCI is NCHL's partner delivering ICF-accredited coaching certification programs. Listed as an enabling partner/competitor — HCI delivers the underlying coach training NCHL resells, and could be viewed as an adjacent/co-developing player in healthcare executive coaching.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NCHLeadership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-center-for-healthcare-leadership
• Xx.com/nchl_leadership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Center for Healthcare Leadership