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Civic Health Fellowship

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Step into the forefront of civic action with the transformative Vot-ER Civic Health Fellowship. As a healthcare provider, you hold a unique position of trust in American society, making you pivotal in engaging your patients in registering to vote.

The Vot-ER Civic Health Fellowship equips healthcare providers like you with the training, resources, and collaborative space needed to lead campaigns that mobilize patients towards civic engagement. Join a vibrant community of healthcare professionals dedicated to fostering a healthier democracy through proactive patient involvement in civic initiatives.

Over eight months, from April to November, you will be trained and equipped to ignite change in your community through voter engagement. Guided by top-tier instructors in community organizing, you will emerge with a profound understanding of civic involvement, health equity concerns, and effective community mobilization techniques.

Embark on this journey of empowerment with us, attending dynamic 1.5-hour virtual sessions approximately three times per month to master the fundamentals of organizing. Collaborating within teams, you will translate your newfound expertise into tangible action, spearheading nonpartisan voter access campaigns as an integral part of the fellowship experience. Dedicate an average of 5-10 hours monthly to engaging lectures, intimate team gatherings, and hands-on assignments, all tailored to amplify your impact on both individual health outcomes and broader civic well-being.

Download our promotional brochure here.

 Fellowship Highlights

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Organizing 101
Nobel Peace Prize-nominated activist Srdja Popovic and health organizing leader Pedja Stojicic teach tried-and-true organizing tactics that can be used inside and outside of the healthcare system.

HDC Students
Teamwork
Work alongside a team of your colleagues to turn your workplace or professional association into a center of voter registration and civic engagement.
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Civic engagement project
Collaborate with healthcare peers to launch a local civic access project at your health institution or school. Past participants have used this space to workshop pitches to hospital leadership, partner with faculty to integrate voter access into the medical school curricula, and more.

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Narrative-building workshops
Your story is an incredibly powerful mobilizing tool. Learn how to craft your "public narrative"—what makes you who you are and why you do this work—and how to share it with colleagues, organizational leadership, and the media.

Instructors

Srdja Popovic
Srdja Popovic
Founder and Executive Director
Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies
Srdja Popovic (he/him) is the Founder and Executive director of the Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS), a non-profit organization based in Belgrade, Serbia that aims to teach the use of nonviolence to make a change. Apart from being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012, Popovic is the author of the recent book Blueprint for Revolution.
Pedja
Dr. Pedja Stojicic
Executive Lead
People Power Health
Dr. Pedja Stojicic (he/him) is passionate about enabling health leaders to use community organizing practices to advocate for equitable health and well-being. He currently serves as an executive lead for People Power Health. Dr. Stojicic is also an instructor for the DrPh Program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Stojicic completed a fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School studying Leadership and Organizing with prof. Marshall Ganz and later worked as a member of Ganz’s HKS Teaching Team.
leah ford web
Leah Ford
Chief of Staff
Vot-ER
Leah Ford (they/them) is the Organizing Director at Vot-ER. Leah began their organizing journey working on a ballot initiative campaign and leading issue advocacy campaigns around reproductive health/rights in Tennessee. Most recently, Leah served as the Campaign Manager for a state legislative candidate who made healthcare access a central part of her platform, helping her to secure a strong primary win. In 2021, Leah was honored to be named as a member of the Memphis Flyer’s 20 Under 30.
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Brian Archie
Co-Chair
Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative
Brian Archie (he/him) is co-chair and change agent for the Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission for the city of Niagara Falls, works in patient financial services at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Business with a focus in Project Management. Brian was born and raised in Niagara Falls, and currently lives in the North End/Highland area.

Program Details

Application Deadline

The priority application deadline is March 8, 2024. The final deadline is March 22, 2024. Apply now.

Faculty

Nobel Peace Prize-nominated activist Srdja Popovic and health organizing leader Pedja Stojicic are the primary Fellowship instructors, along with a group of all-star guest presenters.

Teams

This fellowship requires individuals to be part of a team. Each member of a team should apply separately, and there will be a space in the application for you to list your team members. If you need assistance recruiting a team, please note that in your application and the Vot-ER team will reach out to you.

Schedule

Sessions meet online approximately three times a month on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 pm Eastern from April to November 2024.

The total time commitment is 5-10 hours per month, including attending lectures, small group work, and collaborating on team projects.

Investment

Our generous sponsors cover most costs; program fees cover the remainder. Vot-ER is committed to equity, offering sliding-scale fees for Fellows. Financial aid is available upon request, and no one is turned away due to cost. We encourage those with academic or institutional support or CME to seek full program coverage.

The program investment sliding scale is as follows:

  • Community health workers/promotoras: $10 ($5 if already active in Vot-ER)
  • Medical, nursing, or social work student: $100 ($50 if already active in Vot-ER)
  • Social workers, nurses, residents, and interns: $200 ($100 if already active in Vot-ER)
  • Physician assistants: $500 ($250 if already active in Vot-ER)
  • Attending physicians: $1000 ($500 if already active in Vot-ER)
Interested? Complete this form to get a link to the application.

FAQs

Do I need to have organizing experience?

Nope! Just come ready to learn and collaborate.

How do I apply for financial aid?

You can indicate on your application that you need financial assistance. Last year we didn’t turn anyone away because of the cost, and we expect that everyone who needs help will receive an appropriate discount.

If you have additional questions about financial assistance, please email Leah Ford, Vot-ER Organizing Director, at leah@vot-er.org

Who teaches the Civic Health Fellowship Program?

Nobel Peace Prize-nominated activist Srdja Popovic and health organizing leader Pedja Stojicic teach the course, along with a group of all-star guest speakers.

Am I eligible for this program?

All healthcare professionals are eligible for the Civic Health Fellowship, including:

  • Medical, nursing, or social work students
  • Interns and residents
  • Fellows
  • Social Workers
  • Physicians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Nurses
  • Public health or community health workers

What will I gain from participating?

We’ve heard from past fellows that this program has connected them to the community of like-minded professionals that they’ve long sought.

Plus, you’ll leave the course with:

  • Deeper knowledge of health disparities and medical racism—and how we can fight against it in our daily work
  • Insights into what obstacles affect voter engagement and how to address them
  • A richer understanding of the relationship between health outcomes and democratic participation
  • Practical community organizing skills to mobilize colleagues and leaders at your institution or school
  • Lots of laughs, inside jokes, and most importantly: a network of passionate, like-minded healthcare professionals who, like you, are committed to making a bigger impact in their community

I have another question that isn't answered here.

E-mail Leah Ford at leah@vot-er.org and we’ll get back to you right away!

2023 Fellows

Dr. Cynthia Turner Graham
Dr. Cynthia Turner-Graham
Morehouse School of Medicine
Khaalisha Ajala
Khaalisha Ajala
Assistant Professor
Emory University School of Medicine
Eudora Olsen
Eudora Olsen
Medical student
Emory University
Saahil Patel
Saahil Patel
Medical student
New Jersey Medical School
Pranay Narang
Pranay Narang
Non-Profit Community Health Worker/Incoming Medical Student
Kevan Shah
Kevan Shah
Medical student
Miah Lingelbach
Miah Lingelbach
Medical student
A.T. Still School of Osteopathic Medicine
Mallory Jae Zembower
Mallory Jae Zembower
Medical Student / Nationally Registered Paramedic
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Sankalp Katta
Sankalp Katta
Medical student
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Nisha Puri
Nisha Puri
Medical student
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Mikala Balk
Mikala Balk
Quality Improvement Director
Wesley Community and Health Centers
D Metris Welters
D'Metris Welters
Abounding Prosperity, Inc.
Yolonda Bell
Yolonda Bell
Peer Recovery Navigator
Abounding Prosperity

2022 Fellows

headshot Etta Conteh
Etta Conteh
Medical student
University of Central Florida
Kylar Wiltz
Kylar Wiltz
Medical student
Howard University
Stefan Kovac
Stefan Kovac
Medical student
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Elizabeth Crenshaw Yaktown Yoga
Elizabeth Crenshaw
Community Health Worker Training Specialist
Wayne State University
Sarah Newman
Sarah Newman
Nursing Teacher
Orange Technical College
Biddinger white coat Nicole Biddinger
Nicole Biddinger
Physician Assistant
Community Health Connection, Inc
BDFA C AF ABC Daniel Orlan
Daniel Orlan
Medical student
Florida International University
Justice Spriggs
Justice Spriggs
Medical student
University of Minnesota
vr whitecoat Vineet Raman
Vineet Raman
Medical student
University of Minnesota
Davis Headshot CS Davis
Christopher Davis
Physician
Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert
CF D EE BD DCFAEFA Jazmine Noles
Jazmine Noles
D.O Student
Michigan state University
Kreager Taber
Kreager Taber
Medical Student
Duke University
Supriya Reddy
Supriya Reddy
Medical Student
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Allysha Bryant
Allysha Bryant
Social Work Intern
Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work
Laura Grogan
Laura B Grogan
Medical Student
Medical College of Wisconsin
Ariana Johnson
Ariana Charnisha Johnson
Alcohol Recovery Mental Health Outreach Coordinator
Northern Ohio Recovery Association
Desiree Edmondson
Desiree Edmondson
Medical Student
St. George's University
ERAS v Diana Tran
Diana Tran
PGY2 Family Medicine
Loyola MacNeal Hospital
Carolina Brea
Carolina Brea
Resident EM
Ohio State University
Breeanna Lorenzen
Breeanna Lorenzen
Intern/Resident
Carolinas Medical Center (Atrium Health)
Neal Sinha
Neal Sinha
Social Worker
The Pride Center, RECO Intensive, Active Community Health Center
Elizabeth Lendrum
Liz Lendrum
Resident
Cincinnati Children's Medical Center
CFAC ED BB DCEC hadley walsh
Hadley Walsh
Medical Student
Wake Forest School of Medicine (Atrium Health)
Immy Clover Brown
Imogen Clover-Brown
Resident Physician - PGY1
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Shannon Cunningham
Shannon Cunningham
Osteopathic Medical Student
A.T. Still University
Ashish Bibireddy
Ashish Bibireddy
Medical Student
University of Central Florida
Dorothy Tang
Dorothy Tang
Osteopathic Medical student
A.T. Still University School
Arathi Ponugoti
Arathi Ponugoti
Medical Student
Duke University
Tyler George
Tyler George
Medical Student
Wake Forest School of Medicine (Atrium Health)
Mara Havard
Mara Havard
Medical Student
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Kit Carney Residency photo
Margaret Carney
Resident
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Kayla Blanchard
Kayla Blanchard
Community Health Worker
Otero County Community Health Council
Carli Zegers
Carli Zegers
Assistant Professor, School Of Nursing
University of Kansas
Irene Mynatt
Irene Mynatt
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
The Ohio State University
Kendra Mariah
Kendra Gantt
Social Worker
Jourdon Robinson
Jourdon Robinson
Medical Student
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Humphrey, Kristen
Kristen Humphrey
Resident
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Holly Holly Mata
Holly Mata
Board Member
New Mexico Public Health Association
Stacey Bevan
Stacey Bevan
Doctoral student; public health nurse
University of Pennsylvania
Jason-Zibart
Jason H Zibart
Community Connected Health Manager
Benson Hospital
Isaiah Cochran
Isaiah A Cochran
FM Resident
Halifax Health FMRP
Jon Kusner
Jon Kusner
Resident
Duke University
Danielle Casher
Danielle Casher
Emergency Department Pediatrician
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Rachel Graham
Rachel Graham
Medical Student
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Carolyn Dixon
Carolyn Dixon
Social Worker, Emergency Department
OSU Hospitals Wexner Medical Center
Carlos Rubiano
Carlos Rubiano
Physician
Mercy Health
Miguel Blancarte Jr.
Miguel Angel Blancarte, Jr.
COVID-19, Pandemic Response
Annet cr Annet Miranda
Annet Miranda
Associate Director of Community Engagement
Erie Family Health Centers
AnnaJurlina copy Anna Jurlina
Anna Jurlina
Medical Student
University of Central Florida
Anna Sicilia Anna Sicilia
Anna Sicilia
Medical Student
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Allgood Aaron
J. Aaron Allgood
Chair of Clinical Science Education in IM
A.T. Still University
Abramoff Claire T
Claire Abramoff
EM Physician
Einstein Healthcare Network
Libby Ireson
Libby Ireson
Resident
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Jacquie Dash
Jacqueline Dash
Physician
Einstein Medical Center
Sarah Wright
Sarah Wright
Social Worker/Emergency Department Behavorial Health
Baystate Medical Center
Monica Patten
Monica Patten
Medical Student
University of Colorado School of Medicine
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