Interested ASA members are encouraged to apply for the Lansdale Public Policy Fellowship, a supervised health care policy training experience in Washington, D.C.  The next Fellowship cycle will run from September 2011 through September 2012.  Applications will be accepted beginning November 2010.

The Lansdale Fellowship is a non-clinical position designed for anesthesiologists interested in health policy issues at the federal government level.  This Washington experience will better prepare physicians to influence the future of America’s health care delivery system and the practice of medicine.

The candidate selected for the Fellowship will work in an appropriate health care policy position with a Member of Congress or in an Executive branch office.  The program will provide an opportunity for the fellow to gain an understanding of the national health policymaking process and contribute to the development of programs and legislation related to health care.

As a member of the staff of the office, the Fellow will be expected to perform legislative and or regulatory duties relevant to the office.  Fellows will work independently of the ASA, making their own choices of the topics they cover, subject to the agreement of the office in which they work.  Responsibilities may include (but are not limited to):

• Aiding in the formulation of legislative proposals
• Arranging and attending hearings
• Briefing legislators for committee sessions and floor debates

The one-year program is supported by a stipend from the ASA in the amount of $80,000.  Fellows can expect to provide full time service in this position working as participants in the policy process and having many opportunities to participate in educational programs on the Hill.    

In addition to the duties of the assigned office, the Fellow will also be expected to attend the ASA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and at the conclusion of the Fellowship, to write an article for the government affairs issue of the ASA newsletter, describing the experience.

The selection of the successful candidate will be made before April 1, 2011, by the Executive Committee of the ASA Administrative Council, after consultation with the Chair of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the name of the recipient will be announced at the ASA Governmental Affairs Conference in the spring of 2011.  

2007-08 Fellow, Joshua Lumbley, M.D. in the ASA NEWSLETTER (April, 2008)

Dr. Lumbley addresses the 2008 ASA Legislative Conference (audio file)