Applying for the HRET Fellowship Program

Applications for the 2008-2009 Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship are now being accepted.  Reserve your space today.  If you have questions or need assistance, please call the Fellowship Department at (312) 422-2625.

Download the Application Brochure

Key Dates

March 2008 Applications are due
April 2008  Fellows are selected 
May 2008  Fellows receive orientation materials 
June 2008  Fellows pre-work & project scoping
July 21-26, 2008 Fellows meet for the first time in San Diego, CA at the
Health Forum/AHA Annual Leadership Summit 
October 2008  Annual Leadership Retreat 
May 17-22, 2009 Final meeting in conjunction with the annual
National Patient Safety Congress

 

 

 

 

 

 

Application Requirements

I. Applicant Information
Complete the application form.

II. Computer Literacy
At what level of personal computer expertise do you consider yourself: No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced?

III. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

IV. Essay Questions: (one page or less for each essay)

  1. What is your vision for a safe and healthy organization? How does this vision fit with your personal and professional goals?
  2. What do you consider to be your most significant contributions to improving patient safety?
  3. We are asking Fellows to be change agents. What will you do to advance the process of creating a culture of safety in your organization?

V. Action Learning Project Proposal: (three to four pages)

  • Project title/location
  • Statement of project objectives
  • A two-paragraph project summary (to be used for publication purposes)
  • How your project will advance patient safety and improve health outcomes. How will you measure results?
  • The impact of your project on existing patient safety initiatives

Please note: It is understood that all proposals are works in progress. Selection of an applicant as a Fellow does not necessarily mean acceptance of the Action Learning Project. It may undergo modification to ensure that it fully meets program objectives and is mutually acceptable.

VI. Letter of Organizational Support
You are required to submit a one-page letter from the chair, president (or other appropriate executive) of your organization indicating organizational support and commitment (time and resources) for the Action Learning Project and for your participation in the Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship.

VII. Letter of Reference Guidelines
All Fellows are required to submit two letters of reference with their application. Each of these letters must include the following:

  • Fellowship applicant's name
  • Reference name, title, organization, address, phone, and fax
  • Reference signature and date
  • Letters of reference should address the following questions:
    1. In what capacity do you know the applicant?
    2. How long have you known the applicant?
    3. Do you believe this individual has the potential to be a change agent for patient safety? If so, why? Please elaborate on your support of the candidate and provide examples if possible.

SUBMISSION

Please submit two copies of your application (and a copy on computer disk or via e-mail) by February 15, 2008 to:

Fellowship Programs
Health Research & Educational Trust
One North Franklin Street, 30th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
fellowships@aha.org

Your application must include:

  1. Your answers to all (3) essay questions.
  2. A signed letter of support from your organization (Section VI).
  3. Two completed references (Section VII).
  4. A 3” x 5” black and white head shot photo of yourself facing forward (jpeg)
  5. An electronic copy of your application and photograph.

Time Commitment
Participants must invest the time and energy needed to complete all aspects of the Fellowship program, including implementing the Action Learning Project, attending all required meetings, submitting progress reports, and participated in scheduled on-line meetings. Up to 20 percent annual release time is recommended from the Fellow’s employer to satisfy the program requirements.

Tuition and Costs
Tuition includes all course materials and onsite meeting fees, including registration at two national conferences.  Tuition is due upon acceptance to the program.  Fellows may also apply for partial scholarship assistance.

Individual Fellow  $18,000 per Fellow 
Team of Fellows (2 or more)*  $16,000 per Fellow 

 

 

Cancellations and Withdrawals
All cancellations and withdrawals must be submitted in writing.  For cancellations or withdrawals received on or before June 1, 2008, tuition will be returned, less a processing fee of 10 percent.  For cancellations made after June 1, 2008, and on or before June 30, 2008, tuition will be returned less a processing fee of 25 percent.  As of July 1, 2008, no refunds will be made.

Financial Assistance
Partial scholarships may be available.  To submit a request, please attach a brief letter to your completed application explaining your need for financial assistance and the amount requested.  Any request must be submitted in writing by April 15, 2008.

Nursing Patient Safety Fellowship Scholarship
Cardinal Health and the National Patient Safety Foundation provide support of a five-year Nursing Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship scholarship in memory of Irene Hatcher, RN, MSN.  Ms. Hatcher passed away in November 2003 after a distinguished nursing career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  This scholarship will be awarded to registered nurses dedicated to designing and implementing an IV medication safety Action Learning Project.  If you wish to be considered for the Cardinal/NPSF Scholarship, please attach a brief letter to your application. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 10.

A Special Note for the Disabled
No individual with a disability will be excluded, denied services, segregated, or treated differently from others because auxiliary aids or services are lacking. If you need any of the auxiliary aids or services identified in the Americans With Disabilities Act, please describe your particular needs in writing.

Continuing Education Credit
The Fellowship programs are authorized to award 150 hours of pre-approved Category II (Non-ACHE) continuing education credit for this program toward advancement of recertification in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).  Participants in the program wishing to have the continuing education hours applied toward Category II credit should list their attendance when applying for advancement or recertification in ACHE.