Champions of health equity sought for Families USA’s Fellowship

The sixth cohort will focus on uplifting patients from marginalized communities

Washington, D.C. – Applications are now open for the sixth cohort of Families USA’s Health Equity Academy in System Transformation Fellowship, a program dedicated to training and connecting powerful health equity advocates across the United States. This cohort aims to advance equitable health policy by working with health care providers to uplift historically marginalized communities’ health care experiences. Health care providers and students who have completed at least one year of schooling or training and are championing health equity in their communities are encouraged to apply. 

“This fellowship offers individuals who are committed to fostering an anti-racism climate in health care an opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge, and network needed to become powerful advocates for under-resourced patients and advance health equity policy in their states and communities,” said Staci Lofton, Senior Director of Health Equity. “We’re dedicated to building and training committed health equity advocates and helping them develop a deeper understanding of how health care intersects with social drivers such as race, socioeconomic status, and access to resources to develop a more holistic understanding of health beyond the clinic.”

During the 10-month fellowship, accepted health care practitioners, as well as students who have completed at least one year of schooling/training will receive skill, advocacy agenda development, and patient voice amplification training; networking opportunities; and technical assistance. The opportunity is available to a wide diversity of health care providers, including community health workers, doulas, midwives, physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and dentists, among others. Fellows will receive funding to attend Families USA’s 2025 Health Action Conference January 21-24, 2025 in Washington DC.

Families USA launched the Health Equity Academy in 2019 to ensure communities’ needs and priorities are included in policymaking efforts. To date, four cohorts have graduated from the fellowship. The 2023 cohort graduates on May 16. Former fellows, such as Angelina Spicer, Kennedy Center Social Practice Resident and maternal health advocate, and Hunter Nelson, Colorado Director for Small Business Majority and equity-centered policy advocate, have gone on to make significant contributions in their respective fields.