AcademyHealth Diversity Scholars Program

The AcademyHealth Diversity Scholars Program provides travel and registration support for up to five scholars to attend the Annual Research Meeting (ARM), and pre-ARM Methods Workshops. The goal of the Network is to support the professional development of underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups in the field of health services research (HSR). Mentoring is a core component of the Network. Awardees are expected to attend an ARM networking reception.

Scholarship Information

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current full-time or part-time, graduate-level students; post-doctoral fellows; or clinical fellows.
• Member of an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority group.*
• Availability to attend the ARM and pre-conference activities on the specified dates. 
• U.S. Citizen.

Application Instructions:

Currently accepting applications for the Diversity Scholars Program through February 26, 2021!

To apply, applicants must upload and submit the following materials to the online application system: 

• A completed online application form, including in the submission:
  • Current Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Interest (500 words max). The essay should address your personal learning objectives, demonstrated interest in the field of HSR and/or disparities research; and past or current research/work related to HSR. The essay should also show a clear connection between your stated learning objectives and professional goals and your interest in attending the ARM. We strongly suggest that you write the essay out in a Word document and then copy and paste it into the form.
• Supporting documentation, including:
  • If applicable, documentation of student status (e.g. scanned copy of student ID, departmental letter)
  • Signed letter of recommendation from your faculty advisor or work supervisor on official letterhead

2020 Diversity Scholars

Member

Odichinma Akosionu, B.S., M.P.H.

Ph.D. Student & Graduate Research Assistant - University of Minnesota, School of Public Health

Odichinma (Odi) Akosionu is a fourth year PhD Student in the Health Economics track of the Health Services Res... Read Bio

Primary Research Interest(s): Structural Racism and Historical Discrimination, Health Equity, Long Term Services and Support, Racial Inequities in Aging Health Outcomes, Quality of Life and Care

Member

Elle Lett, Masters of Biostatistics

M.D.-Ph.D. Student - Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Elle Lett is a Black, genderqueer, physician-scientist in training. Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: 2024
Primary Research Interest(s): Health Equity, Transgender and Gender Minority Health, Racial/Ethnic Minority Health, Intersectionality

Presenter

Leah Estrada, M.A., B.S.N.

Ph.D. Candidate - Columbia University School of Nursing

Leah is a PhD candidate at the Columbia University School of Nursing. Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: 2023
Primary Research Interest(s): Palliative Care, Health Disparities, Health Equity

Member

Tamryn Gray, Ph.D., R.N., M.P.H.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School

Tamryn Gray is a health services researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and Brigham and Women’s Hos... Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: 2020
Primary Research Interest(s): Healthcare Delivery, Palliative and Supportive Care, Cancer and Hematologic Malignancies, Data Science and Policy, Social Epidemiology

Member

Gmerice Hammond, M.D., M.P.H.

Cardiology Fellow - Washington University in St Louis

Gmerice Hammond is a Cardiovascular Health Policy research fellow at Washington University in St Louis School ... Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: June 2021
Primary Research Interest(s): SDOH, Health inequities, Health Services and Policy, Preventive Cardiology

Member

J'Mag Karbeah, M.P.H.

Ph.D. Student - University of Minnesota School of Public Health

J'Mag is a fourth year PhD student in the sociology of illness track within the Health Services Research, Poli... Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: 2020
Primary Research Interest(s): Structural Racism; Adolescent Health; Perinatal Health 

Member

Janeth Sanchez, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Cancer Research Fellow - National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Janeth Sanchez is a Cancer Research Fellow in the Healthcare Delivery Research Program at the National Cancer ... Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: 2020
Primary Research Interest(s): Health Services, Health Policy, Healthcare Delivery, Data Science/Big Data, Cancer Care Outcomes, Health Disparities/Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health

Member

Erin Strong, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H.

General Surgery Resident - Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals

Erin A. Strong is currently a resident in general surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. Read Bio

Expected Completion Date: 2022
Primary Research Interest(s): Clinical Outcomes in Surgical Oncology, Physician Leadership Development, Application of Healthcare Delivery Science in the Clinical Environment

More Information

• Current and Past Recipients

If you need additional assistance for scholarship related questions, please contact us here.

*AcademyHealth defines underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities in the field of HSR as the following groups: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders. This definition is consistent with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).