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The PAEA Student Health Policy Fellowship is a select opportunity for a small group of PA students from across the country who are looking to make a significant impact on the health care system, the profession, and PA education for future generations. Through a competitive application process, up to 20 PA students are chosen to participate in this special program designed to develop leadership and advocacy skills and create long-lasting relationships among fellowship alumni who form PAEA’s expanding network of health policy champions.

Are you someone who believes that the interests of PA education must be represented at the local, state, and national level? Are you ready to equip PA programs, faculty, and students to best meet the needs of patients through federal policy? Begin your journey to the front lines of advocacy, and apply for the 2024-2025 PAEA Student Health Policy Fellowship program.

Objectives

The PAEA Student Health Policy Fellowship is designed to enhance students’ understanding of the political process and health policy. The ultimate goal is to inspire and prepare fellows for lifelong grassroots advocacy that promotes the PA profession as an integral part of the health care system.

This program is a three-day intensive virtual workshop. During this experience, fellows will learn about advocacy and the policymaking process, interact with fellow leaders, and meet with their congressional representatives' offices. By the end of the fellowship, participants will have developed skills in three key areas:

Advocacy

Fellows will learn how the legislative process works at the federal level and how to become effective advocates for PA education and the PA profession.

Leadership Development

Fellows will build and refine the skills necessary to organize and lead others in both advancing health policy priorities and serving as an advocate for the PA profession at the local, state, and national level.

PAs and the Health Care Environment

Fellows will develop an appreciation for grassroots advocacy in advancing the goals of PA education and practice in communities.

Project

In addition to the three-day workshop, the fellowship requires that each participant complete an advocacy project under the guidance of a program faculty mentor by September 2025.  Advocacy projects should be creative and demonstrate a positive impact on the PA profession, local or state community, or PA programs. Examples of past projects include:

·         Organizing a “lobby day” at the state capitol

·         Hosting a member of Congress or their staff at your PA program

·         Student advocacy presentations at PA state association meetings

·         PA awareness campaigns with community health centers

Students who are accepted will receive guidelines on the development of a project proposal during the fellowship workshop.

Application Timeline

May 6, 2024 - Fellowship application opens

July 9, 2024 - Application closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All application materials and forms must be received; any information received after this date will not be considered.

August 1, 2024 - Notification of application status via email

August 5, 2024 - Deadline to confirm participation

September 9-11, 2024 - Virtual Fellowship Event

Required Application Materials

To apply for the Student Health Policy Fellowship, you must submit:

1. A personal statement describing what inspired you to pursue this opportunity and how you would like to influence PA education and the profession through advocacy and leadership in the future (less than 500 words).

2. A policy analysis analyzing one section of either the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act or the Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now Act and reflecting on its potential impact on PA education (less than 500 words):

3. Program Director Certification/Faculty Mentor Assignment Form: This document is completed by your program director and confirms your ability to participate in the fellowship.

Please note that your application is not complete until your Program Director Certification/Faculty Mentor Assignment is received! 

Evaluation Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on the following:

  • Personal Statement
    • Clear articulation of why you would like to be selected for the fellowship
    • Demonstration of interest in using learned skills to be an advocate leader
    • Connection to the fellowship's objectives of promoting advocacy, leadership, and PAs in the health care environment
    • Writing quality
  • Policy Analysis
    • Demonstration of your understanding of the analyzed provision
    • Creativity
    • Writing quality

Eligibility

All PA students in an accredited PAEA member program are eligible and encouraged to apply, including incoming, first-year, and second-year students. Incoming PA students are eligible to apply if they will be enrolled as of September 1, 2024. Second-year students are eligible to apply if their graduation date is no earlier than August 1, 2024.

The program director must sign the certification form, attest that the student is in good academic and professional standing, and agree that the student will be released from classes September 9-11, 2024. In addition, the program director must assign a faculty mentor in advance to assist the fellow with the advocacy project.

Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Questions?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at shpf@PAEAonline.org.