Information session to help prepare RWJF applications

A clinical scholar information luncheon for UNMC clinical faculty interested in applying to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Clinical Scholars National Leadership Program will be held at noon Thursday.

The luncheon will be co-hosted by selection committee members Howard Liu, M.D., assistant vice chancellor for faculty development; John Linville, D.V.M., a UNMC College of Public Health adjunct faculty member, and Katie Brandert, team facilitator and a College of Public Health faculty member.

The RWJF Clinical Scholars Program is a funded national leadership program for clinically active health care providers from a broad range of disciplines. The program is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as part of its new national initiative to achieve a “culture of health.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for UNMC faculty who are clinically active providers to help leverage their ideas to improve health outcomes in communities across the country,” he said.

Eligible participants are licensed and clinically active health care providers who have been in practice at least five years. Examples of eligible occupations include providers trained as audiologists, clinical counselors, dentists, dietitians, nurses, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, speech therapists and veterinarians.

Applicants apply in multidisciplinary teams of two to five providers. Teams identify complex “wicked problems” compromising a culture of health in their communities and propose innovative, community-focused approaches to improve community health and health equity.

Awarded teams receive program funds and leadership training to implement their approaches in their communities. Program funds are determined by team size — $35,000 per clinician per year for three years. Teams travel twice a year to participate in leadership skills training tailored to active providers and utilize a multi-platform, distance-based system in between on-site training retreats

Applications are accepted until 3 p.m., March 8.

Lunch will be provided in the Sorrell Center, Room 2010, for those who RSVP to Stacey Coleman, 402-559-9509 by Wednesday. A live link also is available to faculty who RSVP.