Health Policy Fellowship
The fellowship consists of a didactic curriculum in health policy comprised of monthly conferences and journal clubs. This is complemented by a practical experience in which participants can work alongside legislators and policy makers directly in the policy environment such as in Senate/House offices, in federal agencies or private policy institutions. The goal is to work at least 6 months on one of the Hill offices, with the option to work longer. The other 6 months can be at a federal agency or other organizations tailored to the fellows individual interests such as a private health policy advocacy group or lobbying group.
In addition to the educational and practical experience, fellows receive funding for one policy related conference a year and have the option of adding a second year to pursue a Masters in Public Health degree. Fellows will work approximately 6-8 shifts a month at one of George Washington Medical Centers affiliated hospitals (George Washington Medical Center or Prince Georges Hospital or at Bethesda Naval Hospitals.) Full benefits will be provided as well as funding for coursework towards the MPH. Fellows will be expected to interact with the residents, providing one grand rounds conference outlining their experiences. In addition he/she will work with our department to coordinate our annual health policy day which has been held on Capitol Hill for the past three days, designed to expose the residents to pertinent health policy issues.
Summary of Principal Compoents:
Educational
1. Guest lectures from area resource persons working in various areas in health policy. Topics would include both practical as well as more academic issues --such as Medicaid, Medicare, health insurance, the lobbying process, etc.
2. Quarterly journal clubs in which timely issues related to emergency health policy are discussed
3. Possible option to pursue MPH at School of Public Health if a second year is desired.
4. Funding for the attendance of one policy related conference
Policy Experience Options include:
1. Senate/House staff offices
2. Lobbying experience, ACEP
3. Federal offices such as HHS/HCFA, , NHTSA
4. Other private health policy options eg. George Washington Center for Policy Research
5. Fellows could either rotate for 6 months in more than one site or be assigned to one site.
Clinical Experience
6-8 shifts a month at one of core hospitals: George Washington Medical Center or Prince Georges Hospital or at Bethesda Naval Hospitals
Future questions can be directed to Janice Blanchard at (202) 741-2911.
Annual Health Policy Day
Every year, the George Washington Emergency Department sponsors an annual health policy day held on Capitol Hill. The event is sponsored by Congressman Donald Payne from New Jersey and offers a chance for emergency medicine residents, students and faculty members to hear from prominent experts and legislators discussing pertinent issues in health policy. Last year, the event featured current members of Congress who were in the health care field (physicians and nurses.) The residency also offers interested residents the opportunity to rotate on the Hill for longer periods of time either as an elective month or as the senior minfellowship project.