About the program

The LEND Fellowship in Health Administration is a program for postgraduates that provides additional experience for professionals interested in health administration and public policy. This fellowship is most appropriate for those post-graduate students who have an interest in working with organizations and supporting issues of significance to families who have children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.

The 9-12 month fellowship typically begins in late August or early September and is part-time. A modest stipend is provided.

The LEND programs are funded throughout the country by grants provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCH). The Oregon LEND program in the OHSU Institute on Development & Disability is one of the premier training programs in the country for training medical professionals in clinical care, research, community outreach, and advocacy for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Leadership training is a distinguishing characteristic of the MCH Training Program. Leadership training prepares MCH health care professionals to move beyond excellent clinical practice or public health practice to leadership, through research, teaching, administration, and advocacy. An MCH leader is a person who has the competencies and an enduring commitment to promote and improve the well-being of the nation's women, children and families by influencing individuals, organizations, practices and policies.

Leadership training in the Oregon LEND program is concerned with several dimensions, including leadership in the professional/clinical context, in group/organizational settings, in the policy arena, with respect to essential health administration management issues, and to some extent in the legal context of disabilities and development.

The fellowship includes:

• One-on-one mentorship
• Mentored research project and research presentation
• Leadership and teaching opportunities
• Weekly interdisciplinary forums with LEND fellows with topics related to community outreach, policy development, and family issues that affect children with disabilities
• Opportunities for continuing education

A Health Administration Fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with other trainees in clinical specialties, including speech and language pathology, psychology, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and developmental pediatrics. There are also opportunities to work with ongoing research programs and to attend educational programs in the CDRC and in other parts of OHSU, such as grand rounds and presentations at other centers and institutes at the university.

The trainee will also have opportunities to pursue the leadership training in the community in different ways, including the community engagement program and the Tillamook multi-modal screening program.

Application requirements

We select one HA Fellow per year (assuming the availability of funding).
The successful applicant for a Health Administration Fellowship in the Oregon LEND program at IDD should have a master's degree or be a doctoral student beyond the first year of his or her educational program in a relevant public affairs field.

A strong academic record is required. The applicant will need to show a strong interest in developing leadership skills and helping others to do so for the purpose of system change and improvement with the goal of better maternal and child health and health care system operations.

This will be demonstrated by a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a resume or curriculum vitae.

How to apply

The following is to be submitted for a complete application:

• A completed application form
• An official transcript of your graduate work.
• A personal statement that includes your interests in pursuing the Oregon LEND program and more generally in leadership in field of disabilities and development. It would also be useful to indicate any particular goals that you have in mind for the training year.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.
• One to two letters of reference and contact information for two references.

Please submit all application materials together in a single packet in hard copy or e-mail application materials. Letters of reference may be sent separately.

March 31st  is the deadline and the start date for when the selection process begins. The selection process is usually completed before the end of March.

All letters and inquiries should be addressed to:

Rhonda M. Eppelsheimer, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Co-Director
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics
503-494-2705