Health Care Policy Advocacy Elective

The Des Moines branch campus offers fourth-year medical students a Health Care Policy Advocacy elective from January to March. The elective is four weeks long.

Students will choose an area of interest in health policy advocacy and will work with senior legislators, policy advisors, state health department representatives, or advocates of various professional organizations who are involved in advocacy efforts for health policy. The mentor will guide and educate the student regarding advocacy efforts on the chosen project. Medical students must receive prior approval regarding which health policy issue they want to work on and which individual or professional organization they plan to work with during their on-site experience. 

Expectations

• It is anticipated that students involved in the advocacy elective rotation will be in Des Moines for a minimum of four weeks in order to fully realize the impact of health policy, advocacy, and best practices. Students may be asked to participate in meetings outside of the four-week, on-site experience.
• Students will provide a brief paper and presentation in the spring about their advocacy experience to the distinction track leadership, advocacy elective rotation faculty, mentor, and colleagues.
• Evaluations will also be distributed to the students about their experience and the individual/organization for whom they worked. 
• Housing is provided to students for free while in Des Moines for this elective.

Prerequisites

Students must be enrolled in the Healthcare Delivery Science, Management, & Policy distinction track to qualify for this elective.

Research Opportunities

The Des Moines branch campus offers summer research opportunities for up to two medical students between their first and second years of medical school.

Students are provided a list of available research opportunities and are paired with a mentor from an organization advocating for the student’s topic of interest. 

Expectations

• The student will provide a brief paper and presentation in the fall about their research experience to the distinction track leadership, research elective rotation faculty, mentor, and colleagues.
• Housing is provided to students for free during the summer term.
• Stipends are available.