FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2023
Contact:
Emily Holwick
PR Strategist
eholwick@aafp.org
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is pleased to announce the 2023 Vaccine Science Fellows. This cornerstone fellowship program helps develop family physicians’ skills and knowledge surrounding vaccination and addresses connections between public health and family medicine.
This year’s Vaccine Science Fellows are:
Neha D. Chande, MD, MHS, is a health sciences assistant clinical professor in the department of family medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she also completed her residency. Dr. Chande earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and received her Master of Health Science in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“As a faculty member in the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program with training in Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, I enjoy working at the nexus of public health and family medicine on a daily basis,” said Dr. Chande. “I am particularly passionate about vaccinology and feel that my roles teaching residents and caring for patients have prepared me to participate in this Fellowship.”
Llewellyn Mensah, MD, MPH&TM, is an attending physician at Kintegra Health in Gastonia, North Carolina. He completed his family medicine residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. Dr. Mensah earned his Master of Public Health & Tropical Medicine from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine and received his medical degree from the University of Ghana Medical School.
“I believe having a strong background in vaccine science will be a valuable asset for any public health professional looking for a leadership role,” said Dr. Mensah. “Another reason I want to become a vaccine science fellow is to be able to better address vaccine hesitancy. The enthusiasm for vaccination in my community has been anemic as the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, and I would like to be part of the effort to regain the trust of the public.”
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s Vaccine Science Fellows and know they will gain valuable knowledge and skills to bring back to their communities”, said Julie Wood, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Senior Vice President of Research, Science & Health of the Public, AAFP. “Vaccines save lives, and family physicians play a crucial role in ensuring patients receive recommended vaccinations to keep their communities healthy. This fellowship is an opportunity to expand family physicians’ expertise in a way that will have real-world implications.”
The fellows will be guided by AAFP physician mentors, including three past Vaccine Science Fellows, as they gain practical hands-on experience in vaccine science and policy by meeting with experts in immunization, public health, policy groups and vaccine manufacturers. Fellows will also develop a self-study project to be disseminated to AAFP membership, public health officials and others.
You can find more information about the AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship Program here.
For interview requests, contact Emily Holwick: eholwick@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.