Health Equity Scholars Program
"Let's Move!" Acting Locally for National Impact
Fall 2011 - Spring 2012
The application deadline has now passed.
Select participants may now pay their tuition fees here. “And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.” ~Michelle Obama
Overview
AMSA Academy is a training ground for physician leaders, established by and for students. The Academy strives to empower medical students to affect change in medicine. Combining didactic with experiential learning, AMSA Academy courses take medical and premedical students through the core competences of leadership and project implementations, while building on key principles of important topics in medicine.
Each program fosters the value that health care must be patient-centered, effective, efficient, safe, equitable, and timely, as identified by the Institute of Medicine. We see our mission as training physician leaders in order to transform the face of medicine.
Using a framework and theme similar to First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, the Health Equity Scholars program explores being active within the context of a systems-oriented approach to health inequalities and injustices in the United States and abroad. The program is based on the principle that many health inequalities are not merely inevitable; they are avoidable, unjust, and something can and should be done about them. Along with building an argument for this perspective, the Program will provide Scholars with practical skills and tools to educate their peers and organize initiatives to address health disparities in their communities.
Program Structure
The Health Equity Scholars Program includes four main components:
- Scholars are given guided readings to discuss with fellow Scholars. These readings include scholarly journal articles, government reports, and other resourceful materials applicable to health equity.
- Scholars participate in regular conference calls and webinars with health equity and health disparities field experts from around the country.
- Scholars participate in an online community allowing them to discuss readings, conferences calls, and collaborate on individual projects.
- Scholars organize and implement projects in their local chapters and communities using the perspectives, skills, and tools gained from the Program.
2011-2012 HESP Theme:
"Let's Move!" Acting Locally for National Impact Monthly syllabus of topics: -
Active Communities
September: An Introduction
October: Health Policy and Economics -
Active Institutions:
November: Health Education and Promotion
December: Research and Clinical Practice -
Active People:
January: Grassroots Movements and Community Projects
February: Health Communication
March: Academy Graduations @ AMSA Conference – Houston, TX
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Who Should Apply?
Medical and premedical students who are interested in topics related to health disparities, public health, and addressing the underlying causes of inequalities in health are encouraged to apply.
Each Health Equity Scholar must be a member of AMSA at the start of the program. Information about registration and membership is available here.
Application Process
- Application deadline: September 14, 2011 at 11:59pm ET
- 20 applicants will be selected and informed by September 18, 2011
- Must be able to attend first webinar: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuition
- Participation fee is $30.