Applications Open for AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship
March 10, 2023, News Staff — Members who want to learn more about the science and policy aspects of vaccines are invited to apply for the AAFP’s 2023-2024 Vaccine Science Fellowship by April 14.
The fellowship, now in its 14th year, is a significant leadership opportunity for FPs interested in working with mentors and other clinicians to better understand vaccine science and the challenges of related policies. Two positions are available for the fellowship, which is made possible through financial support from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
During the year-long program, fellows will build extensive knowledge about vaccines, as well as practical, hands-on experience from meetings with public health officials, policymakers, manufacturers and others.
‘A Positive, Career-altering Experience’
“The Vaccine Science Fellowship is a positive, career-altering experience,” Carlos O’Bryan-Becerra, M.D., a 2022-2023 Vaccine Science Fellow and a core faculty member at the Ventura County Family Medical Center Family Medicine Residency in Ventura, Calif., told AAFP News. “By having protected time to focus on vaccine science, I have been able to learn so much, to the point where I am now much more confident formally teaching medical students, residents and even faculty on vaccines.”
O’Bryan-Becerra’s fellowship experience allowed him to network with experts across the country, present at grand rounds and contribute to projects that include an upcoming AAFP CME module on improving COVID-19 vaccination rates in young children.
“The Vaccine Science Fellowship provides something unique for a practicing clinician: time to explore and deepen one’s fund of knowledge,” added James Bigham, M.D., M.P.H., also a 2022-2023 Vaccine Science Fellow, and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, in Madison.
Bigham was able to increase others’ knowledge, too, by developing education for medical students and clinicians on addressing vaccine hesitancy during clinical encounters.
“The fellowship allowed me protected time to deepen my knowledge of basic vaccine science, as well as to explore evidence-based approaches to care for vaccine-hesitant patients,” he said.
Fellowship Details
During the fellowship, which runs May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, fellows will get guidance from mentors and develop a self-study project that will be shared with AAFP members, public health officials and immunization organizations.
Other features of the fellowship include monthly calls, attendance at either the June 21-22 or Oct. 25-26 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, required travel and coverage of travel costs, as well as a nominal stipend toward other expenses.
How to Apply
The Vaccine Science Fellowship is open to Active AAFP members who are
- in practice or teaching,
- out of residency or fellowship,
- U.S. citizens,
- willing and able to devote about 10% of full-time employment for a year (with a letter of agreement from their institution, practice and/or department chair), and
- able to meet other eligibility requirements.
To apply, email Pamela Carter-Smith, M.P.A., the Academy’s senior manager of clinical practice and women’s health, by April 14 with your
- CV,
- letter of interest,
- completed conflict of interest form option 2,
- institution and/or department letter, and
- photo.
Applications will be acknowledged in email when they are received.
An independent committee will review applications, and awardees will be notified in email by April 21..