IA AAP Advocacy Scholars Program

 

*Program Application Link Below*

What is the goal of the program?
To educate trainees and early career physicians on state advocacy, familiarize them with activities and interactions at the State Capitol, and establish mentoring relationships with the goal of maintaining and building more relationships among Iowa pediatricians to build capacity and enthusiasm for future advocacy.

Scholars are assigned an IA AAP Legislative committee mentor to support their learning and assist with completion of all requirements. Additionally, previous participants in the Advocacy Scholars Program will remain available as mentors to current scholars to further expand the reach and scope of the chapter’s advocacy efforts.

Scholars are awarded a certificate of completion and recognition at the Annual AAP Statewide meeting, as well as a stipend to attend the National AAP Advocacy Conference.

Requirements of an Advocacy Scholar, if chosen:

• Connect to the AAP
  1. Become an AAP Key Contact
  2. Consider becoming a Tweetiatrician
  3. Visit the AAP Advocacy page and sign up for updates
• Legislate and Advocate
  1. Attend at least 1 Legislative committee meeting
  2. Read and understand chapter legislative priorities
  3. Find one opportunity during the legislative season to teach students/residents/colleagues about IA AAP Legislative priorities and/or advocacy techniques
  4. Provide a brief summary of a legislative issue to the IA-AAP Board
  5. Attend IA AAP Legislative breakfast (February 16, 2023)
  6. Attend National AAP Legislative Conference (March 26-28, 2023)
  7. Write an article for the IA AAP Spring Newsletter about their experience in the advocacy scholar program
• Agree to mentor future scholars for the following year
• Agree to photos for social media and website
• Start completing an Advocacy Portfolio to document experiences (see example below)

 

Timeline of the Program:

- November 1, 2022: Request for applications
- November 28, 2022: Applications due
- December 16, 2022: Selection of scholars
- January 1, 2023- April 28, 2023: Legislative session
- February 16, 2023: IA AAP Legislative Breakfast
- March 26-28, 2023: National AAP Advocacy (Legislative) Conference
- May 1, 2023: Spring newsletter submission deadline

IA AAP Board meetings occur monthly on the 2^nd Tuesday evening (8pm)- legislative issue presentation can be scheduled to occur at any meeting

APPLY HERE:
The application consists of a short essay that describes their areas of interest in advocacy and policy work and a brief bio or CV. Please follow this link to apply.

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Contact Ashleigh Burt (ashleigh.burt@unitypoint.org) with any questions.

Project Lead: Ashleigh Burt, MD, FAAP

Each fall, 2-4 trainees are selected by the AAP Legislative Committee to be a part of the IA AAP Advocacy Scholars Program through an application process.