Lindsay Royston — Executive Leadership Council Scholarship Recipient (Winning National Scholarship, 8 points)

Being a recipient of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) Johnson & Johnson scholarship was truly one of my biggest accomplishments this year. While the financial support is incredibly helpful, the real value lies in how this award shifted my perspective on what leadership in healthcare requires. The immediate benefit of this opportunity is the chance to learn and grow in a setting outside of the clinical or academic world; it confirms that my hard work can open doors to new, complex environments. If I had to name a weakness, it’s the steep learning curve that comes with engaging in these high-level corporate discussions – a necessary challenge I’m ready to embrace. This award underscores my primary goal of becoming a physician with the critical role of business leadership in healthcare. The people I'm joining in the ELC community are the executives running the major tech, pharma, and supply companies that partner with hospitals. I realize that to be a leader who can truly make healthcare accessible, high-quality, and affordable for everyone in the U.S., I have to be fluent in both languages: clinical medicine and corporate strategy. This experience is my foundation for becoming a doctor who doesn't just treat patients but also drives systemic change.

By Lindsay Royston