Applications are now available for the Health Policy Fellowship Class of 2010. The Health Policy Fellowship is designed for practicing or teaching osteopathic physicians who are preparing for leadership roles in the profession and positions of influence in health policy, as well as for individuals with a professional connection to the osteopathic profession (for example: directors of medical education, hospital administrators, and executive directors of state osteopathic associations).

The Health Policy Fellowship program is offered by the New York Institute of Technology/ New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine through a collaboration of colleges in the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM); the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); and the government affairs offices of AACOM and the AOA.

The applicant pool is competitive. Participants are selected on the basis of their academic qualifications, leadership potential, and commitment. To the extent possible, the admissions committee attempts to include candidates from all regions of the country and a variety of specialties.

Fellows attend an intensive five-day academic Orientation before entering the regimen of nine three-day weekend seminars including the federal role and state roles in health policy, federal advocacy, access to care for the uninsured, vulnerable populations, rural health, and the healthcare workforce. Seminars are rotated among osteopathic colleges and the Washington, D.C. area offices of the AOA and AACOM. Between monthly seminars, Fellows are expected to complete reading, research, and writing assignments. Access the 2009-2010 schedule of seminars at http://iris.nyit.edu/nycom/hpf.

Over 145 osteopathic physicians and professionals affiliated with the osteopathic profession have completed the program since its inception in 1994. Graduates join a cadre of health policy experts from which the profession can draw to staff committees and task forces at the federal and state levels, to testify on issues relevant to osteopathic medicine/ education, and to develop policy positions. Three graduates currently sit on federal health committees, and many more serve on state health-related committees. Health Policy Fellows have assumed leadership positions in medical education, state osteopathic associations, medical specialty organizations, and in the AOA.

Details about Health Policy Fellowship Program 2009-10. Requires Adobe Acrobat.

For more information, call Nancy Cooper at (740) 593-2017 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .