Planetary Health Leadership Program
The application for the 2026 program opens on June 1, 2026
The Planetary Health Leadership Program (PHLP) is an 8-week innovative, virtual professional program designed to equip nurses, faculty, and healthcare professionals to lead with exceptional effectiveness amid the critical challenges of climate disruption, persistent health inequities, and growing global interdependence. The program integrates systems thinking, advanced cultural intelligence, simulation-based leadership learning, and meaningful global partnership engagement. Participants gain transformative insights and actionable tools to advance their leadership within departments, institutions, and broader health systems.
8 Weeks
Program Length
Virtual
Delivery Format
Oct-Dec 2026
Inaugural Cohort
Yale Certificate
Upon Completion
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Planetary Health Leadership Program, you will be able to:
- Analyze intersections between planetary health, equitable access, and healthcare leadership within a defined professional context.
- Apply sustainability frameworks and systems-thinking lenses to diagnose structural inequities and environmental impacts within health systems.
- Design an evidence-based leadership intervention using implementation science principles to address global or local health disruptions.
- Demonstrate effective interprofessional and global collaboration skills in team-based leadership work.
- Reflect on leadership identity and articulate a forward-looking vision for sustained impact in planetary health.
- Produce an individual capstone deliverable that translates learning into an actionable leadership strategy and gain formal recognition from Yale University.
Who Should Apply?
This program is designed for mid-to-senior level healthcare professionals who are committed to advancing planetary health, equity, and systems-level change within their institutions, communities, and global partnerships.
Nurses
Clinical, Academic & Administrative
Nurses in any setting who are navigating leadership roles at the intersection of health systems and environmental or social determinants of health.
Faculty
Nursing & Health Sciences Educators
Academic faculty who wish to deepen their planetary health expertise and integrate cutting-edge leadership frameworks into their institutional roles.
Global Health Professionals
Public & Global Health Leaders
Public health practitioners, global health professionals, and health policy advocates seeking to strengthen their leadership approach to complex systemic challenges.
Key Dates
Jun 1, 2026
Application Open
Jul 1, 2026
Early-Bird Application Deadline
Aug 15, 2026
Final Application Deadline
Sep 15, 2026
All Decisions Released
Program Snapshot
Program Length
8 Weeks
October - December
Time Commitment and Workload
Approximately 4–5 hours per week, including:
- Asynchronous video content
- Live interactive discussion with Yale faculty and guests
- Applied capstone project work
Cost
$3,000 with one-time payment
or two installments of $1,500 each
Program Outline
- Pre-Program Onboarding
- Week 1: Foundations of Global and Planetary Health
- Week 2: Health Equity and Sustainable Health
- Week 3: Global Partnerships and Collaboration
- Week 4: Implementation Science
- Week 5: Arts, Space and Giving Grace
- Week 6: AI, Chronic Diseases and Environmental Health
- Week 7: Mental Health, Well-being and Sustainable Leadership
- Week 8: Capstone Showcase and Program Closure