The focus of the Excellence in Clinical Engineering Leadership Award is on the achievements of individuals at-the institution activities level that go beyond that of routine operations of a quality Clinical Engineering (CE) department. The ExCEL Award targets institutional rather than national or international professional activities, although external leadership activities often accompany institutional leadership. The ExCEL Award also seeks individuals whose leadership is functional rather than merely being reflected by their position in the organization chart. Included in this category is impact on public benefits.

Therefore, The management of an efficient and effective Clinical Engineering department that fulfills the basic requirements of CE is assumed to be a prerequisite to the leadership qualities that the ExCEL Award seeks to recognize.