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Improving the health care system's capacity to address the needs of minority and disadvantaged populations is the goal of the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy. Directed by Harvard Medical School's Joan Reede, M.D., the program offers an intensive, one-year, full-time program of study to future physician-leaders who intend to pursue careers in minority health care or health policy. Approximately five fellows each year complete academic work for a master's degree in public health or public administration.
Most of the 46 alumni physician fellows hold appointments at schools of public health or medicine, and several have assumed leadership roles in public health departments or community health centers. Past fellows also serve on numerous local and national advisory committees related to minority health.
Over the past year, several alumni of the fellowship have seen their research published in peer-reviewed journals. For an issue of Health Affairs devoted to health care disparities, Amal Trivedi, M.D., described a disparities report card he developed for states, which he based on Fund-sponsored work by John McDonough, Ph.D. In the same issue, Joseph Betancourt, M.D., reported that fostering "cultural competence" has been gaining attention, not only as a strategy to reduce racial and ethnic disparities but more broadly as a means of improving the quality of health care. In addition, Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., authored a Fund report documenting health care disparities among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) and progress made in the last five years to reduce gaps in care. She concluded her paper with 10 recommendations for future action.
Under Dr. Reede's leadership, the fellowship program in the past year has established connections with state and local health departments and sought post-fellowship support from several organizations. It has also created a national advisory committee, which mentors fellows and identifies possible employment opportunities.
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