AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship

The AAFP is recruiting for the Vaccine Science Fellowship Program. The program develops a group of family physicians interested in, and knowledgeable about, vaccine issues. They also help address the interactions between public health and the family medicine community.

The AAFP has three vaccine science fellowship positions available for family physicians. The selected fellows will work with mentors to become more familiar about vaccine science and policy.

Selected applicants will gain education and practical hands-on experience through meetings with experts in public health and immunization, federal and state vaccine policy groups, and vaccine manufacturer.

About the Vaccine Fellowship

This fellowship creates a group of family physicians interested in the science of vaccine development, production, and policy. This program is designed for those who are mid-career in their professional development. The awards are granted to three fellows annually. Each fellow will work with mentors with experience in immunization policy and issues.

The fellowship is for one year with the commitment from their institution and/or department chair that they will allow the time to complete the fellowship from May 1, 2025–April 30, 2026.
Each fellow will devote approximately 10% FTE for one year (22 days), including travel to fellowship activities. A nominal stipend will be provided.
Mentors will guide and assist with education-related vaccine science, policy and family medicine.
Fellows will participate on monthly calls to discuss immunization policies, recommendations, barriers, trends, shortages, concerns, etc.
Fellows will develop a self-study project. This project could be poster presentations, articles, research projects, education outreach, etc. The project will be disseminated to the AAFP membership, public health officials, other immunization organizations, etc.
Fellows are required to travel for vaccine-related meetings. Travel costs will be covered under the fellowship.

Note: Fellows are required to attend one of the following Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meetings: June 26-28, 2024 or October 23-24, 2024 in Atlanta, GA In Person OR Virtually.

Fellowship Graduates

Graduates have expressed appreciation for the program and the opportunity to develop expertise in policies and practices of immunizations, which has been applied in services to their patients, practice, and community.

2009
James Loehr, MD, FAAFP (Ithaca, NY)
Everett W. Schlam, MD (Franklin Lakes, NJ)

2011
John Epling, MD, MSEd, FAAFP (Roanoke, VA)
Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Wilmington, DE)

2013
Chris Lupold, MD (Lancaster, PA)
Mary Pat Friedlander, MD (Pittsburgh, PA)

2015
Nina Ahmad, MD (Orlando, FL)
Melissa Martinez, MD, FAAFP (Albuquerque, NM)

2017
Kimberly Stump, MD, MSc (Salem, OR)
Amra Resic, MD, FAAFP (Palm Harbor, FL)

2019
Madalyn Schaefgen, MD FAAFP (Allentown, PA)
Adora Otiji, MD, MPH (Upper Marlboro, MD)

2021
Anne Schneider, DO (Lombard, IL)
Lisa Doggett, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Austin, TX)

2023
Neha D. Chande, MD, MHS (Santa Monica, CA)
Llewellyn Mensah, MD, MPH & TM (Gastonia, NC)

2010
Elizabeth Rosenblum, MD (San Diego, CA)
Paul Hunter MD (Milwaukee, WI)

2012
Jeff Moore, MD (Merrill, WI)
Pamela Rockwell, DO (Ann Arbor, MI)

2014
Jennifer Hamilton, MD, PhD (Pittsburg, PA)
Robin O'Meara, MD (Grand Rapids, MI)

2016
David Cope, MD (Bountiful, UT)
John Merrill-Steskal, MD (Ellensburg, WA)

2018
Laura Morris, MD, FAAFP (Columbia, MO)
Mina Khan, MD (Oneonta, AL)

2020
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP (Spokane, WA)
Eugene Schiff, MD, MPH (Bronx, NY)
Michele Zawora, MD, FAAFP (North Wales, PA)

2022
Carlos O’Bryan-Becerra, MD, FAAFP (Ventura, CA)
James Bigham, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Madison, WI)

2024
LaTasha Seliby Perkins, MD (Washington, DC)
Kathleen Harder-Brouwer, MD (Hamilton, MT)

The AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship Program is funded by an unrestricted grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.