Understanding the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship (Discontinued)

The APHA (American Public Health Association) champions the health of all people and all communities. They strengthen the public health profession and speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science. A crucial part of their mission involved fostering the next generation of public health leaders through initiatives like the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship. However, it's important to note that as of 2024, the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship has been discontinued.

While no longer active, understanding the scholarship's purpose, requirements, and impact remains valuable for those interested in public health leadership and health equity. This article will delve into the details of this past scholarship program.

Purpose and Goals

The APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship, a key component of the Community Health Leadership Program, aimed to cultivate a diverse and underrepresented group of public health leaders. This initiative directly addressed the need for professionals dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable communities and achieving health equity for all members of the nation. The scholarship supported the education of newly admitted graduate students beginning their MPH or DrPH/PhD in public health at one of the APHA’s eight partner universities.

The program sought to create a pipeline for diverse leadership in public health. This was achieved by supporting underrepresented public health students. These students demonstrated a commitment to improving the health of our most vulnerable communities and pursuing health equity for all.

Eligibility Criteria

The APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship had specific eligibility requirements for applicants. These criteria ensured that the scholarship reached individuals who aligned with the program's goals of promoting diversity and supporting those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Applicants:

Had to be prospective students planning to enroll full-time at one of the partner universities. This scholarship was designated for full-time enrollment status only.
Had to be citizens or permanent residents.
Had to intend to enroll at one of the partner universities (Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Drexel University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Morehouse School of Medicine, University of California - Berkeley, University of California - Los Angeles, and University of Michigan).
Had to be incoming full-time fall 2023 MPH and DrPH/PhD candidates in public health at one of the eight partner universities.

Preference was given to those who identified as:

First-generation college graduates
Persons from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
Those who classified under race/ethnicity groups such as Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and individuals from other communities of color or underrepresented populations.

It's important to note that nursing, health administration (MHA), medical (MD) and undergraduate degrees (BS) were ineligible for this opportunity. Prospective students seeking these degrees were advised to discuss funding opportunities directly with their university.

Partner Universities

The APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship program was associated with a select group of partner universities. These institutions were recognized for their strong public health programs and commitment to diversity. The eight partner universities were:

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Drexel University
George Washington University
Johns Hopkins University
Morehouse School of Medicine
University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Los Angeles
University of Michigan

Application and Selection Process

The application process for the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship was rigorous and thorough. Each application underwent an extensive review, and select applicants were invited for interviews by the Scholarship Review Committee.

Applications were primarily evaluated based on three key factors:

Promise
Academic excellence
Financial need

For help writing the essay component of this scholarship application, applicants could check out guides like "How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay" and "How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)."

Scholarship Funding and Impact

The APHA KP Community Health Scholarship funded sixty-one master's and doctoral candidates across ten partner schools. The scholarship supported the education of newly admitted graduate students beginning their MPH or DrPH/PhD in public health this upcoming fall at one of the APHA’s eight partner universities. The APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship supported students who intended on pursuing an MPH or DrPH/PhD at one of our partner universities.

APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fellowship

While the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship has been discontinued, the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fellowship continues to provide opportunities for early-career public health professionals.

The APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fellowship provides an immersive year-long work experience for early-career professionals who have a conferred MPH, DrPH or PhD in public health from one of our partner universities.

Read also: Cultivating Healthcare Leaders

Fellows receive a \$120,000 stipend for the fellowship, which runs from September 2025 through September 2026. After a one-week virtual orientation, fellows begin their work at the placement site. Fellows are considered independent contractors, so they are responsible for their own health insurance and taxes.

Other benefits include:

Complimentary APHA membership for one year (with access to APHA's Early-Career Professionals group)
Exclusive monthly virtual professional development sessions. Past topics have included Building Your Brand as a Public Health Leader and Professional Growth through Public Speaking.
Stipend to offset costs related to attending the APHA Annual Meeting (registration, flight and hotel stay)
Career Coaching

As a fellow, you will support and lead projects, programs and partnerships to address upstream determinants of health across Kaiser Permanente-served communities. Focus areas may include housing and homelessness, food security, economic opportunity, education, racism and related trauma, environmental health and sustainability, and access to healthcare services.

Eligibility for the Fellowship

All applicants are required to:

Hold a master’s (MPH) or doctorate degree (DrPH, PhD) in public health from one of our partner universities: Charles R.

For current MPH students who are ready to graduate by Spring 2025, the APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fellowship is now accepting applications! This fellowship offers a 12-month fellowship (September 2025 through September 2026) will support and lead high-level projects, programs, and partnerships to address upstream determinants of health across Kaiser Permanente-served communities. Stipend to offset costs related to attending the 2025 APHA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Hold a master’s (MPH) or doctorate degree (DrPH, PhD) in public health from the Program’s partner universities.

Where fellows work

Fellows are placed with Kaiser Permanente partners serving our communities or within Kaiser itself.

2025-26 Placement Sites: (Additional sites may be forthcoming.)

Kaiser Permanente Community Health Evaluation, Learning, Measurement, and Reporting (ELMR)
Kaiser Permanente Community Health Policy Analysis and Research
Kaiser Permanente Community Support Hub
Kaiser Permanente Food is Medicine Center for Excellence
Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy
Kaiser Permanente Medi-Cal External Engagement and Initiatives
Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Health Note: Fellows may be requested to relocate to their placement site. Relocation costs are the responsibility of the Fellow.

Important Dates for the Fellowship

Application Deadline Feb. 6, 2025
Semi-Finalists Notified Feb. 27, 2025
Semi-Finalists Interviews March 2025
Finalists Notified March 31, 2025
Finalists Interviews April 2025
Fellowship Recipients Notified May 30, 2025
Fellowship Orientation Sept. 8-12, 2025
Fellowship Placement Begins Sept. 15, 2025
Fellowship Ends Sept.

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