HEALTH LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2008 CLASS

Foundation to Select Twenty Connecticut Residents to Participate in the One-Year Program

NEW BRITAIN –The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) is now accepting applications for the 2008 Health Leadership Fellows Program, which hopes to foster, support and promote leadership and learning among the next generation of public health pioneers in the government, private, and nonprofit sectors, President & CEO Patricia Baker announced Friday. The program's application deadline is April 27, 2007.

The Leadership Fellows Program is a one-year (September 2007 to June 2008) knowledge and skill-building program designed to create leaders, especially from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic communities, who will pursue careers in public policy, public health practice, community advocacy, academia, or any other related field. "The Foundation is dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Connecticut and we believe cultivating leadership among those people who receive unequal health care and report poor health outcomes will be an effective strategy," said Baker.

Fellows, who will be selected through a competitive process, must make a one-year commitment to attend two weekend retreats and monthly seminars and other education activities. Each fellow also will receive a stipend of $1,500 to aid in their personal or professional development. In addition, those who are employed by a nonprofit organization will receive a $500 gift for their employer.

The third class of fellows is expected to include up to 20 Connecticut residents whom represent various professional and educational backgrounds. They include women and men whose professional work includes: social workers, physicians, advocates, community leaders, researchers, administrators, educators, and epidemiologists.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a resident of Connecticut or primary work must directly impact the people of Connecticut.
• Have experience or interest in working with the health needs of minority populations.
• Show strong evidence of leadership experience or potential, especially as related to community projects or health policy, and
• Intend to pursue a career in public health practice, policy, academia, or community advocacy.

Applications Deadlines are as follows:

April 27, 2007: Deadline for Applications
May - June: Applicant Interviews Conducted
July 13: 2008 Health Leadership Fellows Selection and Notification
September 19: Orientation and Reception
October 12-14: Fall Weekend Retreat

April 11-13, 2008: Spring Weekend Retreat

The application is available online at www.cthealth.org/leadership or by contacting Will Crimi, Vice President of Program & Evaluation at Will@cthealth.org or 860.224.2200.

The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) is the state’s largest independent, non-profit grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving the health of the people of Connecticut through systemic change, program innovation and health policy analysis.  Since it was established in July of 1999, CT Health has awarded 348 grants in 43 cities and towns totaling over $28.2 million primarily in three priority areas – children’s mental health, racial and ethnic health disparities, and oral health.

For additional information about the Health Leadership Fellows Program or the Foundation, please contact Maryland Grier, Public Affairs Officer, at 860.224.2200, ext. 32 or Maryland@cthealth.org. Photos of the Fellows are also available.