Call for Applications for the
Jack Rutledge Legislative Director (JRLD) Fellowship

AMSA is seeking a medical student with a passion for AMSA, legislative advocacy, and healthcare activism to serve a prestigious fellowship as the 2009-2010 Jack Rutledge Legislative Director (JRLD).

To apply for the JRLD position you must:

• Be a medical student in good academic standing; 
• Be available to work from May 1, 2009 through May 14, 2010;
• Be able to relocate to Reston, VA (suburban Washington, D.C.) for the year; 
• Be passionate about achieving affordable, quality healthcare for all; 
• Have a strong interest in health policy; 
• Have an interest in teaching and mobilizing medical students; 
• Have an interest in working with other national and local activist groups; 
• Have excellent speaking and writing skills; 
• Be able to work well in a team 

Please submit the following by February 1st, 2009:
All application materials (except for the letter of recommendation) should be submitted in one email addressed to Carol Williams-Nickelson, PsyD, AMSA Executive Director at cwilliams-nickelson@amsa.org. The letter of recommendation should be sent by email to the address indicated above by the letter's AUTHOR. If you have questions about the responsibilities of the JRLD position, please contact our 2008-09 Jack Rutledge Legislative Director, Mary Carol Jennings at JRLD@amsa.org or 864-992-3391.

1. A Copy of Your CV/Resume, limited to three pages (include your name, current address, phone number, and email).
   
   
2. A Letter from Your Medical School indicating that you are in good academic standing.
   
   
3. A Letter of Recommendation from a supervisor, faculty member, or an experienced political organizer who can assess your maturity, past experiences, and leadership abilities. Please address the letter to Mary Carol Jennings, Jack Rutledge Legislative Director, American Medical Student Association, 1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191.
   
   
4. A Letter of Interest/Personal Statement, not exceeding 750 words, that describes 1) your interest in the position; 2) past experiences and personal assets that will help you succeed as the JRLD. 
    
   
5. Essay on Quality, Affordable Health Care for All, not exceeding 1000 words, that describes the current state of the movement for a comprehensive overhaul of our health care system in the United States. Discuss your understanding of the current political moment in the country. Briefly describe a strategy for health care reform that takes into consideration today's challenges, opportunities, and AMSA's role within the movement. 
    
   
6. Essay on Global Health Equity, not exceeding 500 words. You will be called to provide legislative and/or grassroots support to members and national leaders who focus on achieving Global Health Equity. Which challenges do you believe are shared by both the struggle to achieve health care for all in the US and the struggle to improve health or health care globally? How will you work to advance AMSA’s impact and ability to reform health care systems to eliminate health disparities across the global health community?
   
   
7. Essay on Legislative Affairs, not exceeding 500 words. The JRLD will work with the Health Policy Chair and our Action Committee’s Health Policy Team to evaluate and update our legislative platform and to advance legislation on our agenda for the year. Describe how you would engage AMSA members on a diverse range of issues taking into account their geographic distribution, local coalitions, and your position in Washington D.C. How can AMSA most effectively organize its members around political campaigns, in light of the fact that we do not currently employ a lobbyist? What further role do you see the JRLD playing in developing the Health Policy Team and our Health Policy Action Network of members who make in-district lobby visits across the country? 
   
   
8. Essay on Activism and Advocacy, not exceeding 500 words. Outline how you would approach the task of building AMSA's activist base during your year as the Jack Rutledge Legislative Director. Be sure to indicate how you will work to maximize AMSA’s capacity to challenge unequal power structures in existing health care systems, and how your work would strengthen AMSA as a whole through your health policy and health care for all work. Also, express your thoughts on what types of coalitions we should engage, and feel free to include your ideas on how we should work with new and/or existing coalition partners.