An analysis of the impact of the David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship.

Abstract

The objective of the David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship is to attract and to encourage promising individuals to become successful participants in the health policy process, particularly at the interface of the public and private sectors. From 1987, when the Fellowship was established, through 2004-2005, there have been nineteen Fellows and approximately 65 additional finalists. All but one Fellow hold an MHA or equivalent degree and several hold additional advanced degrees. In comparison to the Fellows, fewer finalists hold additional advanced degrees. The Winston Fellowship Board initiated this study to identify the impact of the Fellowship on the careers of the recipients and, if possible, to track the careers of the finalists to determine the extent to which they have been active in the policy process. The findings are based on a high response rate from former Fellows and a small sample of finalists. Compared to the finalists, the Fellows have been more involved in the policy process and first post-Fellowship employment of Fellows has trended towards Congress in recent years. Fellows noted strengths and weaknesses of the program and made suggestions for improvement. There was agreement among the Fellows that the Fellowship program did influence career direction and content, but it was not possible to draw clear inferences of cause and effect.