Description
The Center of Excellence for Sexual Health (CESH) Community Leadership in Sexual Health Scholars' Program provides support for 10-month resident scholarships at Morehouse School of Medicine. The CESH Scholars' Program seeks to promote community leadership in the area of sexual health and to forge links between sexual health and public health service to combat health disparities. In creating community leadership in this area, the CESH Scholars' Program advances the continuing professional development for persons interested in the elimination of disparities in sexual health worldwide and help ensure the effective application of knowledge about human sexuality to the public health sphere, at the local, state, national and international level. In working closely with its community partners, the CESH Scholars' Program will, over time, establish a collaborative network of sexual health partners, both as an integrated initiative among others at Morehouse School of Medicine, and among organizations and agencies working in communities affected by public health disparities.

Mission
The CESH Scholars' Program prepares persons for sexual health community leadership through education, intensive training, and research. Its mission is to promote sexual health and well-being, individual and community leadership, diversity, responsible sexual behavior, and the elimination of disparities in sexual health.

Requirements
The CESH Scholars' Program will provide participants with comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, culturally sensitive training focused on sexual health and community leadership. In addition to offering formal classroom learning, the program provides a range of community-based practicum experiences in sexual health services and education, as well as training focusing on research methodology, design, analysis, and implementation for the health and social sciences. The program facilitates the integration of classroom and professional experiences pertaining to sexual health issues within community settings.

Scholars will be required to:

• Participate in two sexuality/leadership courses, three practicum experiences, and one research course to further develop knowledge and skills pertaining to community leadership and sexual health
• Work within the practicum organizations to address the sexual health needs of their target communities
• Carry out an on-site project useful to the practicum organization that provides an opportunity to further develop the scholar's professional skills
• Critically analyze and evaluate literature, media, and policy pertaining to sexual health
• Complete a research project on a sexual health topic

Outcomes

• Increase understanding of human sexuality and sexual health and effectively apply this knowledge to underserved communities and different cultural contexts
• Develop and practice community leadership skills
• Gain insight into personal and professional values, beliefs and attitudes pertaining to sexual health
• Understand the role of various constituencies of the sexual health field, such as researchers, practitioners, and policymakers; and of the importance of creating partnerships between them

Overview of the 2010-2011 Scholars' Year
The CESH Scholars' tenure will run 10-11 months beginning August 2, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. Scholars are expected to reside in the Atlanta area for the duration of the program. Each scholar will receive a $35,000 stipend plus healthcare coverage through Morehouse School of Medicine. The scholars will be instructed by a multidisciplinary faculty of experts in sexuality, medicine, community leadership, and public health.

Eligibility
The program welcomes applications from academics, journalists, clergy and health practitioners who can demonstrate a commitment to improving the sexual health of others, especially those who represent underserved communities. The selection committee will award four scholarships. Applicants must hold at least a master's degree or its equivalent obtained from an accredited United States or foreign university.

Those who have completed more advanced graduate studies, such as medical training, also are welcome to apply. Minorities, people with disabilities, and those committed to eliminating disparities in sexual health are encouraged to apply. There are no citizenship requirements for the CESH Scholars' Program.

Application Information
Thank you for your interest in the CESH Community Leadership in Sexual Health Scholars' Program. The economic downturn has necessitated a redesign of our program. While this process takes place, the application process is on a temporary hold. Please check back in August 2010 for further information and updates.

For further information, contact:
Carey R. Bayer, Ed.D., R.N.
CESH Scholars' Program Director
Center of Excellence for Sexual Health 
Morehouse School of Medicine
National Center for Primary Care
720 Westview Drive SW - Suite 238 C
Atlanta, Georgia 30310-1495
Tel: (404) 752-8694
Fax: (404) 752-1040
E-mail: cbayer@msm.edu