The Susan Hogeland Health Policy Fellowship supports medical students, family medicine residents, and early career family physicians within their first three years of practice who want to strengthen their advocacy skills and better understand how health policy is shaped in California.

Administered by the CAFP Foundation and endowed in honor of Susan Hogeland**, the Fellowship gives participants hands-on experience in state-level policy and advocacy, along with connections to family medicine leaders across California. Fellows learn how to engage in the policy process and advocate for family medicine and the patients and communities they serve.

Recognizing the demands of medical school, residency, and the early years of practice, the Fellowship provides a stipend to help offset the cost of participating in CAFP, AAFP, and/or CMA policy and advocacy activities throughout the year.

Fellows are selected based on their commitment to family medicine, interest in advocacy, and potential to contribute to health policy. They also become part of a statewide network of Susan Hogeland Health Policy Fellowship alumni.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Fellows are selected through a competitive application process based on their involvement with CAFP, recommendations from faculty and/or colleagues, demonstrated interest and experience in advocacy, and potential to contribute to health policy at the local and state level. Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to continuing or expanding their advocacy work.

The Fellowship is open to third- and fourth-year medical students, second- and third-year family medicine residents, and early career family physicians within their first three years of practice. CAFP membership is required.

How to Apply

Applications are due November 15, 2026. Applicants must submit all required materials through the online application portal, including:

• A current CV
• One letter of recommendation from a faculty member (for medical students and residents) or a colleague (for early career physicians).
• A short (200 word) essay describing your interest in health policy and advocacy, relevant experience, and what you hope to gain from the Fellowship.
• A current professional headshot

Fellowship Activities and Assignments

• Attend a Fellowship Orientation
  • Participate in an orientation with CAFP staff to review the timeline, activities, meetings, and projects.
• Participate in CAFP’s All Member Advocacy Meeting and Lobby Day
  • Participate in CAFP’s policy development process, learn about CAFP’s legislative priorities, and engage directly with legislators.
  • Expected Result: Complete a written reflection on the experience and lessons learned for publication in a CAFP blog or magazine.
• Participate in State Advocacy Meetings
  • Attend the California Medical Association (CMA) Council on Legislation (COL) in March 2027 or House of Delegates (HOD) in October 2027.
  • Expected Result: Gain a better understanding of issues affecting medicine at the state level and CAFP’s role in CMA advocacy, and write a short article for CAFP’s Legislative Update or Academy in Action newsletter.
• Shadow CAFP Advocacy Staff
  • Spend two days shadowing CAFP’s Legislative and Policy Advocate, Director of Policy, and/or contract lobbyists. Depending on timing, this may include lobbying meetings, legislative hearings, coalition activities, and political events.
  • Expected Result: Develop a practical understanding of the legislative process and how CAFP advances its advocacy priorities.
• Participate in the Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC)
  • Attend and actively participate in a CAFP Legislative Affairs Committee meeting, including the review of bill positions for the legislative session.
  • Expected Result: Gain experience reviewing legislation, discussing policy implications, and understanding how CAFP determines its legislative positions and advocacy strategies.
• Complete and Present an Advocacy/Policy Project
  • Select and follow a legislative or policy topic throughout the Fellowship. The project may include tracking a bill in the California Legislature, meeting with legislative offices or community partners, drafting advocacy letters, developing a policy brief, or writing a resolution.
  • Expected Result: Complete a final advocacy product that demonstrates the Fellow’s ability to research, analyze, and engage on a policy issue, and present or publish the work through a CAFP venue. Options may include:
    • California Family Physician magazine
    • CAFP podcast
    • All Member Advocacy Meeting (AMAM)
    • Prism of Practice (POP!)
    • CAFP Board or LAC meeting
    • Another CAFP educational or advocacy platform

What Fellows Will Gain

By the end of the program, Fellows will have gained practical experience in legislative advocacy, policy development, and grassroots engagement and completed at least one policy or advocacy project to share with CAFP members.

Fellowship Stipend

One Fellow will be selected to receive a $3,000 stipend in support of Fellowship activities. A portion will be provided upfront, with the remaining funds used for event-related expenses through reimbursement or prepaid travel and registration. .

Number of Awards Available in 2027: One medical student, family medicine resident, or early career physician will be selected.

Fellowship Term: January 2027 through December 2027

Carolyn and Tom Bent Donor Directed Fund
DiMare, Brown, Hicks, Kessler
Vituity
Horizon Pharmaceuticals
Los Angeles Chapter, CAFP
Sam Blockstock, CAE
Shannon Connolly, MD
Cynthia Cummings, MD
Adam Francis
Carol Havens, MD
Douglas Henley, MD
Shelly Rodrigues, CAE
William Woo, MD

American’s Physicians Group
East Bay Chapter, CAFP
Riverside-San Bernardino Chapter, CAFP
California Medical Association
Sacramento-El Dorado Chapter, CAFP
Susan Hogeland, CAE
Sarah McNeil, MD
Lisa Ward, MD, MScPH, MS
North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians
Len Fromer, MD
Jay Lee, MD, MPH
Robert Bourne, MD
Florida Academy of Family Physicians