Bridging all five NC medical schools and physician’s assistant programs, this is a state-wide initiative that aims to help students acquire the foundations to engage in state health policy action and the opportunity to develop as advocates for themselves and their patients. Upon attending all workshops, students will be awarded a certificate.
Primary Program Objectives:
- Understand the healthcare policy landscape of NC, and its most debated issues.
- Navigate interactions and build proactive relationships with state legislators and officials.
- Learn how to critically assess health policy literature and communicate findings to political audiences.
- Effectively and persuasively advocate for health policies to stakeholders that may hold opposing viewpoints.
- Lobby for healthcare legislation relevant to patients, physicians, & PAs in NC.
- Cultivate a health policy network of legislative & regulatory officials, organized medicine leaders, and medical students.
By the end of the program, students will also acquire the foundation necessary to pursue medical student advocacy and leadership positions at state and national levels.
Example of Programming Sessions Include:
- What is Organized Medicine and How Healthcare Policy is Made
- Introduction to Healthcare Policy Issues in NC
- Understanding Health Policy Literature and Communicating Science to a Political Audience
- Strategies for Effective Physician Lobbying
- White Coat Day at State Legislature
- Building Relationships with State Officials in Health Policy Advocacy
- Final Program Debrief
Sessions will be a combination of virtual and in person.
Deadline to apply is July 31, 2025.
Don’t wait to become an NC Advocacy in Medicine fellow…
