The underrepresentation of minority medical and public health professionals coupled with an inadequate number of physician-leaders prepared to address the health needs of minority and disadvantaged populations impacts the ability of the health care system to address issues of health disparities. This presentation describes the successful implementation of The Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy (CFHUF), a fellowship program funded by The Commonwealth Fund and designed to address issues of minority health.
Established in 1995 and co-sponsored by Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, and the Kennedy School of Government, CFHUF prepares physicians who will pursue careers in health policy, public health practice and academia by providing a one-year program of rigorous academic training, praciticum, shadowing, networking and local and national conferences. Twelve (80%) of fifteen graduates from program year 1-3 currently hold faculty appointments in schools of medicine and/or public health. All the graduates are actively engaged in aspects of policy, research and/or service delivery related to minority health.
The fellowship achievement is related to: · Cross-discipline curriculum fostering collaboration among schools of medicine, public health and government within Harvard; · Partnerships between academic, private and public sectors; · Access to public health leaders and creation of a network of physician-leaders ; · Effective recruitment strategies
Learning Objectives: · Identifying key factors facilitating collaboration across disciplines and institutions; · Specifying strategies of partnership between the academic, public and private sectors; · Understanding the importance of networking for professional development
Keywords: Leadership, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.