Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program
The Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program is designed to provide postdoctoral professionals with the specific knowledge, experiences, and skills needed to prepare them for leadership roles in promoting and implementing policies and practices to reduce and ultimately eliminate disparities in health. Consistent with the vision and mission of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI), it is the goal of the fellowship program to develop a diverse group of health leaders who care enough, know enough, do enough, and are persistent enough to help realize global health equity.
Program Description
Applicants eligible to apply for the postdoctoral fellowships must have received their Ph.D., an equivalent doctoral degree, or M.D. with completed residency training, prior to the start of the fellowship program. All fellowships are for a 10 month period, beginning in September and ending in June of the following year. Based on qualifications and departmental needs, some fellows may also have the opportunity to receive faculty appointments with Morehouse School of Medicine academic departments. This may include shared time and responsibilities with the supporting department. All positions will be full time, requiring residence in Atlanta, Georgia. A limited amount of fellowship-related travel is required.
Postdoctoral fellows will receive a minimum $50,000 stipend, based on level of appointment and departmental affiliation. Fringe benefits, through Morehouse School of Medicine, including health and dental insurance, are provided. In addition, fellows may receive support for additional professional development and other program-related expenses.
Beginning 2012-2013, we will also be offering a combined SHLI Health Policy/GaLEND Fellowship position. Through our partnership with Georgia State University's Center for Leadership in Disability, physician candidates with the appropriate background and interests will be considered for this unique training program, which leverages the strengths of both institutions. The Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (GaLEND) Interdisciplinary Training Program prepares health leaders to serve children with developmental disorders and related disabilities and their families. Combined fellows will divide their time, fulfilling the requirements of both programs.
Curriculum
The Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program will include formal and informal instruction, policy leadership shadowing and learning experiences with government, business, health care, public health, and community partners, monthly Journal club, and health policy leadership forums. In addition, fellows will have practice, teaching, and/or research responsibilities with their supporting academic department, community-based practicum experiences, and be expected to complete a health policy research project. All fellows will also participate in the National Center for Primary Care Faculty Development Program, which is one-half day weekly. The fellowship's major focus areas include leadership development, health policy, and health equity with concentrations in both behavioral and sexual health.
Leadership Experiences
Fellows will participate in leadership shadowing experiences with government leaders and their staff at the local, state, and national levels, including one week in Washington, D.C. This will give fellows the opportunity to observe firsthand how policy making intersects with the legislative process. In addition, fellows will have leadership experiences with local community organizations, health care organizations, public health organizations, and health care professional organizations. This will provide opportunities to observe leadership styles and strategies across a variety of organizational types and structures.
Leadership Forums
Leadership forums will be held bimonthly to provide opportunities to meet and learn about the challenges of leadership from a pool of experts. Leaders from government, business, health care, public health, academic institutions, and community organizations will be invited to serve as subject experts and to lead discussions around identified leadership issues.
Journal Club
Journal club will be held monthly to discuss current articles related to health policy, particularly as it relates to health disparities. Fellows will be responsible for presenting the material and leading the discussion. This will also be open to the broader Morehouse School of Medicine community.
Community-Based Practicum Experiences
Practicum experiences are designed as opportunities for the fellows to get involved with a broad range of both governmental and community-based organizations and apply their knowledge and skills related to both policy analysis and leadership. Fellows will complete practicum experiences focused on sexual health, behavioral health, and/or developmental disabilities.
Health Policy Research Project: Fellows will be expected to complete a health policy research project which addresses disparities in health that results in a submission for publication. This can be related to their departmental work, community practicum experience, or an unrelated area of health policy interest. Area of research must be approved by the Fellowship Director.
Faculty Development Program
The National Center for Primary Care Faculty Development Program is a 9 month modular program, designed to develop critical teaching, writing, and research skills for health professionals, in a supportive, nurturing environment. This program takes place one afternoon weekly.
Program Objectives
The objective of the Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program is to ensure that by the end of the program fellows achieve the necessary knowledge, experiences, and skills to:
- Critically analyze issues, programs, and policies which impact on health and health care, particularly as they relate to disparities in health.
- Formulate and develop health policies that support the reduction and ultimate elimination of disparities in health.
- Assume leadership roles in the promotion and implementation of practices and policies that support the reduction and ultimate elimination of disparities in health.
- Work effectively with disadvantaged communities and develop sustainable programs and organizations that support the reduction and ultimate elimination of disparities in health.
Funding
The Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program receives grant funding from the following agencies and organizations:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
- Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal Child Health Branch
- Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health
- Kaiser Permanente
- Northrop Grumman
For further information, please contact:
Harry J Heiman, MD, MPH
Director, Health Policy
The Satcher Health Leadership Institute
Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Drive SW
NCPC Suite 241
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
Tel: (404) 752-1694
Fax: (404) 752-1040
Email: hheiman@msm.edu