Health Policy

Immerse Yourself .

Welcome to the MedStar Emergency Medicine Health Policy Fellowship! We host a two-year experience in the Nation’s Capital with the goal of immersing the fellow in three main pillars: policy education, policy experience, and clinical medicine. There is no greater place in the country to learn health policy than in the city where policy is made, regulations are set, and major research is accomplished.

Goals and Objectives .

An in depth understanding of the U.S. health care system and policymaking process.
Formal training in policy management, analysis, and skill development through study at the McCourt School of Public Policy.
Practical policy experience through internship placements in government, advocacy, and non-profit organizations aligning with the fellow’s interests.
Advancement in the practice of emergency medicine through clinical work with MedStar Emergency Physicians.
Teaching and mentorship opportunities through the Georgetown School of Medicine and the Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center Emergency Medicine Residency Program.
Development of a network of mentors and professional contacts in health policy and academic medicine.

Pillars .

Policy Education

During the first year the fellow will earn a Master in Policy Management (MPM) at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The McCourt School offers world renowned graduate programs with distinguished faculty who have extensive experience in Washington policymaking. The MPM program is an executive level masters program which brings together a diverse community of students, scholars, and practitioners committed to solving governmental and societal problems through enhancing their skills in management, analytics, and evidence-based policy.

Those who have already received graduate level training in public policy or public health (i.e. MPP, MPH) are eligible for the one-year option which will focus on policy experience and clinical work.

Core MPM Courses

Healthcare Electives

Core MPM Courses

Healthcare Electives

Policy Experience

The core of the fellowship program is experiential learning in health policy. During the second year (or during the one-year option) the fellow will do two to three rotations on site at agencies or with organizations that do substantial policy work. Exact site placement will depend on the interests of the fellow and will be arranged by the fellowship director in partnership with the fellow.

Possible sites include:

Staff-level experience working in the office of a Member of the House of Representatives or on a major health committee.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Association for American Medical Colleges
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Health Resources and Services Administration

Clinical Medicine

The fellow will continue to develop their skills in emergency medicine by working clinically as an attending physician with MedStar Emergency Physicians. The clinical sites include high acuity and high volume emergency departments within the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas. The fellow will be expected to work 8 shifts per month throughout the 2-year fellowship.

Additional Opportunities

Our fellows are part of a network of emergency medicine fellows including ultrasound, sports medicine, critical care, simulation, and telehealth. Fellows come together quarterly for the EM Essentials curriculum including leadership skills, academic development, and job search/contract training. Fellows also lead health policy journal club for the residents and have additional opportunities for teaching and mentorship through the residency program and school of medicine

Laura Haselden, MD Assistant Program Director, Philippa Soskin, MD, Program Director, and Abigail Clarkson-During, MD, former fellow

Additional Information .

Applications

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. We look forward to reviewing applications for the 2026-2027 academic year which will open July 1, 2025.

Application requirements:

Curriculum vitae
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts
Letter of Interest: The letter of interest must include a statement of interest for the McCourt School (maximum 500 words) addressing the following:
- The essay should explain what unique abilities you would bring to the program and how obtaining this degree will contribute to the attainment of your personal and professional goals. In addition, the statement should specify why you want to pursue your degree at the McCourt School and how that relates to your career.
Three letters of recommendation (including one from the Department Chair or Program Director) sent directly to the Health Policy Fellowship Coordinator.

Send applications to:

Tiffany Brown
Sr. Department Edu. Coordinator
Office: 202-877-4848
Fax: 202-877-2468
Tiffany.L.Brown@MedStar.net

Benefits

Full-time employee of MedStar Health, which includes full medical and dental health benefits.
Full funding of the Master of Policy Management degree program.
Salary supplemented by emergency department clinical shifts.

Qualifications

Board Eligible or Board Certified in Emergency Medicine by ABEM.

Immerse Yourself .

Goals and Objectives .

Pillars .

Policy Education

Policy Experience

Clinical Medicine

Additional Opportunities

Additional Information .

Questions? Ask Us .

Philippa Soskin, MD, MPP

Program Director, Health Policy Fellowship; Director of Health Equity & Global Health, MedStar Academic Affairs

Mike Ybarra, MD

Founding Program Director, Health Policy Fellowship

Laura Haselden, MD

Assistant Program Director, MedStar Emergency Medicine Health Policy Fellowship, Attending Emergency Medicine Physician