The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the 2012 Osteopathic Health Policy Intern (OHPI) Program.
Deadline:
The deadline for the 2012 internship program is February 28, 2011.
What is the OHPI?
The OHPI Program enables up to two osteopathic medical students to spend two months in the government relations department at the AACOM headquarters. To the extent practical, every effort is made to identify the two-month period that best accommodates the students’ schedules. The objective of the program is to allow selected student interns to develop an understanding and operational knowledge of how federal health care policy is developed and how to have an effective impact on public policy formulation.
Please note: AACOM policy requires all new employees, including interns who are accepted into the OHPI Program, to undergo a background check. The background check includes verification of Social Security number, county and multi-state criminal search, education and degree check, and a certification/credential check, if applicable. Once selected by AACOM leadership, acceptance into the program is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.
Who may participate?
The program is open to current osteopathic medical students.
What are the OHPI's responsibilities?
- Spend two months in Washington, DC.
- Meet with federal agency policymakers, including but not limited to officials at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and Department of Education.
- Attend hearings on Capitol Hill pertaining to health policy. Also, attend meetings of groups such as the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Council on Graduate Medical Education, AOA Bureau on Federal Health Programs, as well as conferences and colloquia, as appropriate.
- Conduct research in an area of particular health policy interest as well as health policy in general.
- Complete a research paper based on the initial health policy interest paper.
- Develop a poster presentation based on your health policy research for display at an upcoming AACOM Annual Meeting. See poster guidelines.
Methods:
- Observe and participate in the legislative and regulatory processes.
- Monitor ongoing public policy issues for AACOM.
- Examine current "hot" issues for AACOM.
- Observe and implement appropriate advocacy techniques.
- Develop and implement networking skills.
Is this a paid position?
Yes; a $3,500 (taxable) stipend is provided to each OHPI.
What expenses will be paid?
AACOM will provide housing for each intern. AACOM will also cover the cost of local travel for business purposes and certain miscellaneous expenses, such as photocopying in AACOM’s office, supplies available in AACOM’s office, and other expenses approved by AACOM. The intern is responsible for transportation to and from Washington, DC, parking and mileage (if OHPIs bring vehicles to Washington, DC, which is not recommended), meals, long distance telephone, recreation, and other expenses.
What is the application process?
Your application will consist of a letter expressing your interest in the OHPI Program, a brief paper outlining an area of health policy interest, your curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation. When selecting your topic, keep in mind current public policy issues of interest to AACOM (e.g., physician workforce, graduate medical education, health professions training, or student financial aid.). Please browse the AACOM website for the most recent issues. Letters of recommendation should come from the President or Dean of your school, preceptors, professors, and/or members of AACOM's Board of Deans. Letters should not come from current staff of AACOM.
All complete applications received by the deadline are reviewed by AACOM leadership. OHPI appointments are contingent on the successful completion of a background check. Background check release forms will be sent to the tentative appointees. Please note that you may still withdraw your application without prejudice at this point if you do not wish to complete the background check process. Once background checks are successfully completed, OHPI appointments are officially announced.
Submitting your application:
All applications must be received by AACOM on or before Monday, February 28, 2011. This is a firm deadline. Please submit all application packets (letter of interest, brief paper, CV, and three letters of recommendation) electronically to mlbender@aacom.org.
Letter headings should read:
Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH
President and CEO
American Association of
Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Questions about the OHPI program? Contact:
Mary-Lynn Bender
AACOM Editor and Public Affairs Associate
mlbender@aacom.org
Phone: (301) 968-4193