Since its founding in 2009, the Center for Excellence in Coaching and Mentoring (CECM) at Cleveland Clinic has been at the forefront of transforming healthcare culture through relationship-centered coaching. Initially developed to support internal healthcare professionals then expanded externally, CECM continues to fulfill its vision: to foster a global coaching culture in healthcare that empowers professionals through growth, self-reflection, and continuous learning.

Dr. Andrea Sikon, a co-founder of CECM and Executive Director for the Center, has led this pioneering effort, and she emphasizes the vital role coaching plays in modern healthcare.

“There is growing evidence showing the transformative benefits of coaching in healthcare,” says Dr. Sikon. “Not only for those receiving coaching but also for healthcare professionals who are trained in coaching skills. These skills help cultivate adaptability—an essential competency in today’s ever-evolving medical landscape.”

Dr. Sikon highlights the astounding rate of medical knowledge expansion: “In the 1950s, medical knowledge doubled every 50 years. As of 2020, that rate has accelerated to every 73 days. The volume of information and change that physicians must assimilate demands an adaptable, growth-oriented mindset. Coaching helps develop that mindset by promoting self-reflection, self-monitoring, and self-directed learning.”

CECM’s commitment to high-quality coaching led them to become a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP) for the Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential, offered through the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). Meeting the requirements to be a RCTP affirmed the rigor and relevance of CECM’s Healthcare Professionals Coach Training (HPCT) program, which was originally designed for Cleveland Clinic’s Advanced Peer Coaches. Connecting the professionals who complete CECM’s program with the BCC credential opportunity also ensures that the coaches trained through the Center remain at the forefront of the profession through connections to the coaching community and vital continuing education opportunities.

“We’ve loved the partnership we’ve established with CCE,” says Dr. Sikon. “Becoming an RCTP allowed us to expand and elevate our training offerings and reinforce our commitment to excellence in healthcare coaching.”

The coach training program is led by physicians who are also BCCs, further demonstrating the Center’s dedication to professional development and credentialed coaching.

“We wanted our faculty to model the same commitment to growth we ask of our participants,” explains Dr. Sikon. “Earning the BCC credential ourselves was a powerful way to validate the credibility of our training.”

Program Manager Brandi Rominski notes the increasing demand for CECM’s credentialing program since becoming an RCTP.

“Our program is one of the most respected and sought-after in the field,” says Rominski. Rominski notes participants find the program “life changing.” “It’s not just another training. These trainings are so personalized. You receive real life feedback and can immediately begin practicing the skills.” The professionals who complete CECM’s program have access to learning opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of highly accomplished professionals in medicine.

Since becoming an RCTP, CECM has trained over 130 healthcare professionals to earn the BCC credential in four different countries.

“I’ve had the privilege of coaching some of the most accomplished professionals in medicine,” reflects Dr. Sikon. “From the outside, they appear supremely confident. When they open up and share their vulnerabilities—imposter syndrome, self-doubt—it reminds us that coaching offers something invaluable: a space to be human.”

Looking ahead, CECM is preparing for its upcoming Healthcare Professionals Coach Training (HPCT) course, scheduled for October 9, 10, 22, and 24, 2025. Open to physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide, this 4-day training is ideal for individuals looking to enhance their effectiveness as coaches, mentors, educators, and leaders in healthcare settings.

Through its RCTP designation and BCC-aligned training, CECM continues to shape a new generation of healthcare leaders who lead with purpose, intention, and evidence-based coaching skills.