Climate & Health Science Policy Fellowship

University of Colorado Section of Wilderness & Environmental Medicine > Climate & Health Science Policy Fellowship

The Living Closer Foundation physician GME Fellowship in Climate & Health Science Policy is a 12 month program hosted by the University of Colorado Department of Emergency Medicine. Our Climate Change initiative seeks to empower physicians through education and successful communication skills and to characterize the impact of these changes on our collective health. As the first non-governmental fellowship of its kind, we endeavor to train physicians regarding climate education, meaningful engagement, and effective communication to create leaders in the field of climate change and heath.

Physician Fellowship in Climate and Health Science Policy

To be a steward for human well being is to be an advocate for a safe and stable environment. Physicians have been conspicuously absent in the larger policy debates of environmental change and health, yet are the most well-respected and effective science communicators in society. Our Climate Change initiative seeks to enhance the knowledge and communication skills of physicians so that they may more effectively convey the health risks associated with climate variability and change and advocate for multi-sectoral solutions.

We are pleased to announce the Living Closer Foundation physician GME Fellowship in Climate and Health Science Policy.

As the first non-governmental fellowship of its kind, we endeavor to empower training physicians, through innovative projects and experiential learning, to become highly credible leaders and spokespersons in clinical, basic science, and policy settings.

This 12-month Fellowship will be based in the University of Colorado Department of Emergency Medicine*, and entail Fellow placement with our principal partners at the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and locally through the University of Colorado Consortium on Climate and Health. The Living Closer Foundation has underwritten the Fellowship and provided invaluable support to its mission.

We believe this novel fellowship will serve as a powerful demonstration of an expanded role for physician advocates in a time when public concerns about health and climate are growing.

For further information or questions, contact: emedwilderness@ucdenver.edu

Fellowship will include the following:

Mentorship and guidance from principals listed above
Travel stipend for time spent at NIH (Washington DC area) and CDC (Atlanta)
Travel stipend to relevant meetings and courses
- 2017-18 activities includes training/coursework at:
  - American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  - American Meteorological Society
  - Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
  - George Mason University, Center for Climate Change Communication
  - University Cooperation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
  - Wilderness Medical Society
Reduced number of clinical Emergency Medicine shifts at the University of Colorado Department of Emergency Medicine
Administrative support

Fellowship Core Competencies

Knowledge of Scientific Foundations
- Basic science of climate change and sources of greenhouse gases
- Familiarity with current climate change projections, US and global
- Knowledge of systems (physiological, ecological, social, etc.) interactions and exposure pathways resulting in health impacts of climate change
- Basic understanding of epidemiologic research methods
- Basic understanding of policy analysis methods and principles
- Familiarity with policies outside of health (urban planning, education, etc.) that could be health-relevant
Knowledge of US government and relevant state policies and institutions
- Federal agencies, including emphasis on CDC and NIH
- Clean Power Plant Rule and other executive and legislative measures
- US GCRP and other federal interagency activities
- White House institutions (OSTP, CEQ, NSC, etc.)
- Basic understanding of congressional structures and processes
- Basic understanding of US medical societies’ positions on CC & health
Knowledge of international institutions relevant to climate change and health
- IPCC
- UNFCCC
- WHO
- UNEP
- World Bank
Knowledge of health implications of climate change
- Health impacts in the United States
- Health impacts in other parts of the world
- Potential health benefits from climate mitigation and adaptation measures
- Sustainable and Climate Resilient Health Care Facilities
Climate Change and health impact and vulnerability assessment skills
- Familiarity with CDC BRACE framework and other impact and vulnerability assessment protocols
- Ability to conduct literature review on specific topic in climate change and health
Public/Stakeholder Engagement Skills
- Public speaking
- Formal testimony
- TV/radio/print media interviews
- Opinion-Editorial & Narratives
- Social Media
- Education
- Engaging with policy makers

Application

Successful applicants will have a demonstrated interest in environmental or public health, be excellent clinicians, and show leadership aptitude. Excellent communication skills (writing and oral presentation) are highly desired.

*The Fellowship is partially supported through clinical work in the Department of Emergency Medicine (i.e. ABEM certified or eligible). Applicants who have the potential for support through clinical work in other Departments may be eligible to apply, and should contact the Fellowship Director John Lemery.

Deadlines and application cycle:

July 1^st we begin accepting applications which include:
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
2-3 letters of recommendation
(Optional) 2-3 writing samples &/or video presentations (<5 minutes)

September & October
Candidate interviews in Denver for highly qualified applicants

November 1^st
Applicant notification and Fellowship acceptance deadline

Following July 1^st – June 30^th, Fellowship term