Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow Program Description

This year long experience is designed to immerse the selected pharmacist in the congressional environment in which a multiplicity of perspectives is shared and ultimately they participate in the development and evaluation of Federal Healthcare Policy. It will prepare the individual for a career as: a congressional staff member, an agency policy development staff member or congressional liaison, a government affairs staff for a professional society or pharmaceutical company, or an academic healthcare policy/health system researcher/educator.

What is the program?

The Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow Program is a collaborative effort of the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia / Virginia Commonwealth University, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health System-Pharmacists, each of which participates in the selection of the individual for this one-year fellow award.

The Program provides a unique healthcare policy learning experience which is designed to demonstrate the value of pharmacy-government interaction, and to facilitate practical contributions to the effective use of scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge in government policy development. Fellows spend the year in three legislative environments requiring healthcare input: the government and professors affairs staff of ACCP. The government affairs division of ASHP, and on the staff of an individual Senator or Representative or a relevant Congressional committee.

The Program is an enriching opportunity for the Fellow to develop legislative evaluation and policy development skills, improve research and writing skills and integrate practical policy experience with theory. The Fellow will be available to undertake a wide array of responsibilities including researching and preparing briefs on healthcare issues, assisting with policy decisions, drafting memoranda, planning, organizing and carrying out program and management objectives.

The Program start in September with a focused orientation which will be completed by mid September. The Congressional office [personal or committee] placement should ideally be with one a Senator Representative with a strong healthcare focus on of the Committees that predominantly deals with health issues such as the: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senate Finance Committee, Senate Budget Committee or the House Ways and Means or Energy and Commerce Committees.

How will this program differ from others?

There are many Congressional Fellow, Congressional Assistant, Congressional Internship, Washington Internship, etc., programs. In contrast to other congressionally-related fellowship efforts, this Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow Program:

• is designed for pharmacists who come from outside of government, to bring external perspectives to the policy process;
• is structured to emphasize policy-oriented learning through participation, rather than observational learning;
• designates its Fellow as a free agent, not representatives of the participating societies while they serve in Congress;
• provides this experience to M.S., Pharm.D. or PhD -level health care professionals

How does an individual participate?

Each applicant applies on his/her own initiative. No outside endorsement or screening is sought or required. Applicants should submit their application directly to the director of the Fellow Program at the MCV/VCU School of Pharmacy (See Application Guidelines and Instructions for Candidates section).

1. Selection: An ad hoc selection committee composed of representatives from the MCV/VCU School of Pharmacy, ASHP and ACCP, and past and fellow serve as the screening/selection entity. The selection process is competitive, with professional excellence and suitability for the fellow program being the primary consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Onsite interviews will be conducted in Washington, DC in the Spring of 2009.
2. Criteria: Candidates must have an earned Pharm.D degree with at least one year of residency training or equivalent professional post-Pharm.D experience or a master’s or PhD degree in the health sciences. The individual shall be cognizant of many issues in nonscientific areas; demonstrate sensitivity toward political and social issues; and, have a strong interest and some experience in applying knowledge toward the solution of societal problems. All applicants must be U.S. citizens and at the time of appointment not employed by the Federal government. Other characteristics sought during the selection are: self-starting ability; awareness of one’s own biases; critical thinking; clear oral and written expression; and high integrity.
3. Stipend: The Fellow will receive a stipend of $55,000. A Fellow may receive outside moneys, upon approval of the program director, given under open arrangements, if they do not in any way compromise the Fellow, the sponsoring organizations, or the United States Congress.
4. Financial support of the Fellow: The Fellow will be an employee of the MCV/VCU School of Pharmacy. Financial support will include in addition to a stipend:
   • An allowance for moving expenses of up to $2,000,
   • An allowance for professional travel of $1,500, and
   • Health insurance coverage through MCV/VCU.
5. Conflict of Interest: The selection committee must be informed by all candidates of any possible conflict of interest at the time of application. This includes conflicts of interest associated with the Fellow’s role while they work within the government affairs team of ACCP and ASHP as well as any conflicts that may compromise the integrity of the selection process or the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Fellows are designated as free agents while they serve in Congress: they are not representatives of Virginia Commonwealth University or the participating societies. In those cases where there may be a perception of conflict of interest in connection with a Fellow’s placement, advice will be sought from the applicable Congressional ethics committee. Compliance with the decision of the Fellow program committee will be required before the Fellow can began the fellowship. (See program ethics guidelines for more detail)