New fellow program offers hands-on experience in federal health policy development

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, has announced the country’s first Pharmacy Healthcare Policy Fellow program.

Under the direction of Gary R. Matzke, Pharm.D., professor and associate dean for clinical research and public policy in the School of Pharmacy, and the government affairs staffs of the collaborating organizations, the program will provide a hands-on learning environment for the selected applicant.

Fellows will serve as a member of the staff of a relevant congressional committee or personnel office within the Department of Health and Human Services and as special members of the governmental affairs staff of the ACCP and the ASHP.

According to Matzke, the purpose of the program is to provide a health care policy learning experience, to demonstrate the value of pharmacy-government interaction and to make practical contributions to the more effective use of scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge in government.

The program will allow the fellow to develop legislative evaluation and policy development skills, to improve research and writing skills and to integrate practical policy experience with theory. The fellow will undertake a wide array of responsibilities, including researching and briefing healthcare issues, assisting with policy decisions, drafting memoranda, planning, organizing and carrying out program and management objectives.

For more information on the fellow program, visit http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/publicpolicy/program.htm. Applications will be accepted online until March 10. The recipient will be announced in April. For a complete list of eligibility and application requirements, visit http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/publicpolicy/guidelines.htm.