LEWISBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A senior administrator at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has completed a nationally respected leadership program aimed at advancing women in academic health care.
Machelle Linsenmeyer, Ed.D., WVSOM’s assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness and academic resources, recently graduated from the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM)fellowship. The program, based at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, is recognized for preparing senior female faculty in medicine, dentistry, public health, and pharmacy for leadership roles.
Nominated by WVSOM Chief Academic Officer Dr. Linda Boyd, Linsenmeyer joined the ELAM 2024–25 cohort, which included 98 fellows from institutions across the country. Her participation marks a milestone: she was the only administrator in the cohort representing an osteopathic medical school and is among a small group of osteopathic leaders to complete the program since its founding nearly 30 years ago.
“This was a tremendous opportunity to build my leadership skills and connect with other women across the country who are navigating similar challenges in academic health care,” Linsenmeyer said. “The program provided practical tools I can immediately apply in my role at WVSOM.”
As part of the yearlong fellowship, Linsenmeyer completed an institutional project focused on fostering a “community of practice” among WVSOM faculty. Her proposal involved creating a centralized space for collaboration across academic departments, with an emphasis on shared technology and professional development initiatives. She presented the project during a May 2025 capstone event in Philadelphia.
Participants also engaged in virtual coursework, in-person sessions, and team-building activities designed to enhance skills in negotiation, personnel management, and institutional strategy.
Linsenmeyer emphasized that one of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the ability to connect with a network of more than 1,600 ELAM alumni in leadership roles around the world. These connections, she noted, have already proved beneficial—particularly as WVSOM explores the integration of artificial intelligence in academic settings.
“Being part of this network means having access to colleagues working on the same issues we’re facing,” she said. “I was able to connect with a vice dean for AI at another institution and gain insights that could help guide our own initiatives.”
Linsenmeyer joined WVSOM in 2014 and was appointed assistant vice president in 2023. In her current role, she oversees a broad range of academic functions, including assessment, curriculum mapping, faculty development, program evaluation, academic technology, educational research, and library services.
The 2024–25 ELAM cohort was the last class to include only women. Starting in 2025, the program began accepting participants of all genders.
