Health Leadership Fellows Program Accepting Applications for 2010 Class

Health Foundation to Select 20 Connecticut Residents to Participate

NEW BRITAIN (Jan. 23, 2009) – The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) is accepting applications for the 2010 Health Leadership Fellows program, which fosters, supports and promotes leadership and learning among leaders in government, private, and nonprofit sectors.  The program’s online application deadline is May 1, 2009.

The Leadership Fellows program is a one-year (September 2009 to June 2010) knowledge and skill-building program designed to create leaders, particularly racial and ethnic community leaders, who will pursue careers in public policy, law, public health practice, business, community advocacy, academia or 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 is an effective strategy,” said President & CEO Patricia Baker.

Fellows, who will be selected through a competitive process, must make a one-year commitment to attend two weekend retreats, monthly seminars and other education activities. Each Fellow also will receive a stipend of $1,000 to aid in their personal or professional development.  In addition, those who are employed by a nonprofit organization will receive a $250 gift for their employer. 

The fifth class of Fellows will consist of Connecticut residents who represent various professional and educational backgrounds:  social workers, physicians, advocates, community leaders, researchers, administrators, lawyers, educators and epidemiologists.  

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a resident of Connecticut (primary work must directly impact the people of Connecticut)
• Have experience or interest in work promoting equity for all Connecticut residents
• Show strong evidence of leadership experience or potential for leadership, as demonstrated by community service, life experience and formal education
• Demonstrate a basic understanding and potential impact of racial and ethnic health disparities on health status, community stability and the economy of Connecticut
• Commit to full participation in all Fellows program activities

Important Dates:

• May 1, 2009  Deadline for Applications
• May – June  Applicant Interviews
• July 15   2009 Health Leadership Fellows Selection and Notification
• September 16  Orientation and Reception
• October 9-11  Fall Weekend Retreat
• April 9-11, 2010:   Spring Weekend Retreat

The application is available online at www.cthealth.org/leadership.  For additional information about the program, contact Nancy Nolan, grants manager at nancy@cthealth.org or 860.224.2200.

For additional information about the foundation, visit cthealth.org/fellows or contact Maryland Grier, communications officer, at 860.224.2200, ext. 32 or at maryland@cthealth.org; or Monette Goodrich, vice president of communications & public affairs, at ext. 13 or at monette@cthealth.org.

About the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) – www.cthealth.org:  the state’s largest independent, nonprofit grant-making 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 1999, CT Health has awarded 466 grants totaling $38 million in three priority areas – children’s mental health, reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, and oral health.