The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP) is soliciting applications for its annual O&P policy/advocacy fellowship, known as the George and Dena Breece Fellowship. The application deadline is February 28.
NAAOP is a national nonprofit association advocating for consumers/patients requiring O&P care, as well as the providers who serve them. The Breece Fellowship is a paid, ten-week summer program based in Washington DC. It will span late May to early August.
The fellow will learn about O&P policy, advocacy, and how NAAOP and other O&P organizations function on behalf of the O&P community and within the broader rehabilitation and disability policy and advocacy environment at the federal and state levels. The fellowship also includes exposure to O&P clinical and business settings, and state-based public policy and advocacy.
One or two fellows will be selected for through a competitive process. Finalists will be interviewed via videoconference by an NAAOP selection committee. If the finalist(s) selected cannot accept the fellowship for any reason, the next highest ranked fellow will be offered the position.
All applicants must:
- Personally use a custom fabricated orthosis or prosthesis
- Have an interest in public/health policy and advocacy
- Demonstrate an interest in advancing O&P care
- Have excellent writing, speaking, and analytical skills
- See application for additional factors
NAAOP fellows each receive a stipend of $500 per week for a ten-week period, although the fellow will have paid time-off during Independence Day week. NAAOP will provide an office, phone, and computer in its DC offices. NAAOP will assist in exploring housing options with area colleges or other settings for those with no other housing options. NAAOP will provide a stipend to help defray housing costs if needed.
The NAAOP fellows will shadow Peter W. Thomas, NAAOP’s general counsel, who will assign and oversee the health policy and advocacy work. This work will focus on O&P policy but will also include exposure to the broader rehabilitation and disability policy environment. Other O&P organizations may host the fellows to explain their roles and contributions to the policy framework. The fellows will also be exposed to policy and advocacy speakers, attendance at Congressional hearings, participation in coalition and think tank meetings/presentations throughout Washington, and meetings with advocacy organizations in the broader rehabilitation and disability field.
To apply and to see Thomas’ webcast about the Fellowship, visit the NAAOP website.
