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The American College of Physicians Health Policy Internship Program

Opportunities Available for ACP Associates, Internists & Medical Students

By , About.com Guide

About ACP:

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is the largest organization that specializes in medicine and the second largest physician group within the United States. ACP has approximately 133,000 members, which include internists, internal medicine subspecialists, along with the College’s Washington, D.C. staff and participating in ACP’s annual Leadership Day.

Health Policy Internship:

ACP Health Policy internship provides an opportunity for one Associate and one Medical Student member to work directly with the College’s Washington’s DC staff while also participating in ACP’s annual Leadership Day. Interns will get a chance to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine.

Getting started in a medical career can be challenging and that’s why ACP’s internship program is such an important opportunity for medical students, internists, and internal medicine subspecialists. Interns that complete ACPS’s Health Policy Internship Program will get a chance to assist with researching and analyzing current issues in health and medical education policy. Based on the mission of the organization, interns will also help with advocacy initiatives along with the development of materials advocating the issues of health policy.

ACP interns will also be researching and presenting on issues that are of interest to medical students and residents at ACP's Leadership Day. One of the goals of the program is to teach students more about health policy and the importance of advocating for a cause they believe in.

Benefits:

ACP’s Health Policy Internship Program provides students with an opportunity to attend Congressional and coalition meetings and accompany government affairs staff on lobby visits to Members of Congress and their staff. The internship will help students gain knowledge and experience in health policy and advocacy and will provide them with a chance to see the legislative process in action.

All students will receive a $2,000 stipend for the four week duration of the internship in May and will be required to attend ACP’s Leadership Day where they will be able to assist and use the knowledge they’ve gained while interning with ACAP.

Requirements:

  • All students must be enrolled in a The Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or a (AOA) accredited medical school.
  • Students must be a member in good standing of the American College of Physicians at the time of application.
  • All ACP Associate and medical student members who are interested in health policy and advocacy are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

All students are required to provide the following documents at the time of application:

  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation – one from your ACP Governor and another from your medical school or training program (from dean or his/her designee confirming that your are in good academic standing and that your medical program fully supports your participation in the internship program).
  • A personal statement of interest outlining your previous experience in health policy or legislation that includes a brief declaration on why you are pursuing this program (maximum of 750 words).
  • A legislative essay that identifies a national health policy of interest where you will lobby for this issue as an informed advocate for organized medicine. (The ACP is looking for a very inclusive and succinct essay, which should be no more that 2 pages).

All candidates interested in applying for the ACP Internship Program are required to submit all required application materials electronically (in one packet).

October is the deadline to apply for this internship and the exact date can be found online.

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