Professional Development Program

The Health Policy Professional Development Program is designed to produce expertly trained and highly skilled, leaders and researchers committed to participating in health policy education, research, and reform specific to improving the health and health care of minority and underserved communities. The program, offered by the RWJF Center for Health Policy at Meharry Medical College, seeks to provide a variety of training and development opportunities for affiliated faculty, fellows, and scholars. These opportunities range from qualitative research training to academic writing workshops. A brief description of opportunities are listed below.

RESEARCH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Quantitative Skills
The Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research Summer Program (ICPSR) is recognized throughout the world as the preeminent forum for basic and advanced training in the methodologies and technologies of social science research because of the range of methodological instruction, the opportunity for intensive study, and the quality of instruction and supporting facilities. The Summer Program provides a comprehensive, integrated program of studies in research design, statistics, data analysis, and social science methodology. The Center will cover registration, travel, and logistical expenses for each participant.

Presentation Skills
In collaboration with the RWJF Center for Health Policy at the University of New Mexico, the center at Meharry will provide a forum for scholars and faculty to share their research across disciplines and centers. The event will also serve as a forum for participants to discuss cutting edge research topics. The training will also provide instruction and skill building opportunities in conducting qualitative and quantitative research. (Occurs every other fall semester at Meharry Medical College)

Dissemination Skills
Media Training Institute – Participants will be given the information and tools necessary to effectively market their research and policy findings to various forms of media including print, radio, and television. Upon completion of the training each participant will have developed appropriate products and delivery skills for radio and television. Professionals from local and national radio, television, and Internet media will also serve as instructors providing valuable feedback to participants. (Occurs every spring semester)

Substantive Education and Training
National Poverty Center Summer Research Workshops - These summer workshops are a collaborative effort between the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and the RWJF Center for Health Policy at Meharry. The workshops will provide fellows, scholars, and faculty with information and training in research methods specifically related to the poor and underserved.

Statistical Mentoring
Scholars and Fellows will be provided with tutoring and assistance in statistics.

ACADEMIC WRITING
Academic Writing Workshop Series
This workshop series focuses on developing and honing academic writing skills. The workshop series will cover editing strategies, grammatical usage, and presentation, writing for specific audiences, clarity, building logical arguments, word choice, and fluency. Workshops will include peer review and analysis of participant writing in progress (including dissertations, proposals, etc). (Four 1.5 hour workshops to be taken in sequence)

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Creating Your Curriculum Vitae
Participants will be given the information and tools necessary to develop and maintain effective curriculum vitae that best showcase their professional and academic achievements. Participants will learn editing strategies, accuracy in word choice, and appropriate formatting.

Conducting a Successful Job Search
Participants will learn how to effectively search for and obtain post graduation and summer employment, internships, and externships. Participants will learn how to maximize and build on previous experiences in order to produce greater achievements.

Maximizing the Interview
Participants will learn how to interview successfully for professional and academic settings. This workshop teaches participants how to leave a lasting positive impression that ultimately positions them to be hired. The workshop includes mock interviews that are videoed and analyzed by facilitator and peers to improve participant communication skills and overall presentation.