IES course helps medical personnel transition into leadership positions Published May 7, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 882nd Training Group recently wrapped up its bi-annual Intermediate Executive Skills course, which ran from April 23 to May 4. It covered a gamut of topics, all related to leadership within the various medical career fields. "IES is a middle management course that provides knowledge and skills (medical personnel) will need when they go into a leadership position," said Maj. Colleen Daugherty, IES course director. "We know they're going into the leadership route, so we need to provide them with the skills they need." The course featured lectures from over 60 speakers, focusing on topics like finance, medical readiness, health law, operational medicine, performance measurement, homeland defense and effective decision making. Major Daugherty said all of the topics were important to the new leaders' upcoming careers, based on what Air Staff expects and requires of them when they step into their new positions. Both the Navy and the Army hold their own version of the IES course, to prepare their medical personnel for leadership. There is one difference in the Air Force's program though. "The Air Force is the only service that includes its senior enlisted members," Major Daugherty said. "The Air Force believes to be an effective team you have to include your enlisted senior leaders as well." In addition to the group lectures, the course features numerous "break out sessions" where the members of individual career fields get together to focus on career-specific topics. Major Daugherty said the group this year was very interested in learning and they were leaving with a lot of new tools to use in their careers. "It's rewarding to see all the knowledge they walk away with," she said. The next IES course will be held from Sept. 10-21.