The Physician Assistant Education Association's Student Health Policy Fellowship is designed to enhance students’ understanding of political processes and health policy, as well as inspire grassroots advocacy and leadership to promote the PA profession as an integral part of the health care system.

This program starts with a three-day intensive workshop in Washington, DC, where fellows will learn about advocacy and policymaking processes, interact with fellow leaders, and meet with their representatives and staff on Capitol Hill. 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

  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 levels.

• 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.

Following the submission of a record number of applications, the fifth cohort of the Physician Assistant Education Association’s Student Health Policy Fellowship (SHPF) has been selected and two members of the Drexel University PA program are among them: Courtney Jankowski and Brittany Dingler.