PAEA Welcomes New Class of Student Health Policy Fellows
In alignment with the Association’s mission of advancing excellence in PA education through leadership, scholarship, equity, and inclusion, PAEA is committed to promoting the development of a sustained pipeline of advocacy leaders who are prepared to shape the future of PA education and the profession.
Each year, the Government Relations team joins forces with the Government Relations Steering Committee to conduct a rigorous review of applications for the PAEA Student Health Policy Fellowship in pursuit of this goal. Throughout the review process, applicants are evaluated and selected based upon their ability to critically analyze policy related to health and education, their passion for leadership and advocacy, and their long-term vision for PAs within the broader health care environment.
This year, the following 21 students, including the first-ever representative of an international PA program, have been chosen as the 2022-23 Student Health Policy Fellowship cohort:
- Lauren White, Baylor College of Medicine
- Elizabeth Ehlers, Campbell University
- Michael Harris, Christian Brothers University
- Kathleen Rogers, East Carolina University
- Brittny Dawkins, Ithaca College
- Jena Cosby, Kettering College
- Wilner Laborde, Marist College
- Marisa Stirgus, University of Washington-MEDEX
- Ciandra Calhoun, Mercer University
- Jessica Lee, MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Shannen Price, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Rushi Mehta, Rutgers University
- Angela Ho, South College (Atlanta)
- Jonathan Strope, Stanford University
- Emily Carroll, Stanford University
- Renata DeLury, Tufts University
- Dana Murphy, University of Bridgeport
- Jamee Williams, University of Maryland-Baltimore
- Joshua Penninger, Wake Forest University
- Ana Eliza Souza Cunha, Yale School of Medicine
- Nicole Hoff, Yale PA Online
From September 12-14, these fellows will participate in a virtual three-day workshop to learn about the advocacy and policymaking processes, interact with fellow leaders, and conduct calls with their Congressional representatives and staff. Following the workshop, fellows will then have one year to complete a community-based advocacy project focused on generating a positive impact for their local or state community, PA programs, or the PA profession. By the end of the fellowship, fellows will possess the necessary skills to represent the interests of PA students, educators, practicing PAs, and patients throughout their careers in medicine. Congratulations to the 2022-23 Student Health Policy Fellowship cohort! Members with questions regarding the Student Health Policy Fellowship are invited to contact SHPF@PAEAonline.org.
