Health Foundation seeks applications for health leadership fellows program in 2020

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York announced it is now accepting applications from leaders in Western and Central New York who are interested in participating in the next cohort of the health leadership fellows program in 2020.

The fellows program is designed for executives and leaders from health-related, nonprofit organizations, safety net organizations, and public agencies that address the needs of older adults and young children impacted by poverty.

Applications can be submitted online here.

The deadline to apply for cohort 10 of the health leadership fellows program is April 3, 2020. Interviews will be held throughout the spring, and the program will begin in November 2020.

Informational webinar sessions will be held for those wishing to learn more about the program on Feb. 13, 2020, at 2 p.m. and March 10, 2020, at 11 a.m. Sign-up information for the webinars will be posted on the fellows web page at a later date.

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York says it is an independent, private foundation that “advocates for continuous improvement in health and health care by investing in the people and organizations that serve young children and older adults,” per a foundation news release. It has offices in Buffalo and at the Central New York Philanthropy Center at 431 E. Fayette St. in Syracuse.

About the program

The goal of the health leadership fellows program is to “develop and strengthen a network of collaborative leaders” with organizations and systems that serve older adults and young children impacted by poverty. One of its earliest and “longest-running” programs, the Health Foundation’s fellows program has trained hundreds of nonprofit professionals on leadership, communication, and collaboration since 2005.

Each cohort of fellows is made up of about 40 professionals from organizations throughout Western and Central New York.

The “intensive” 18-month program includes four two- to three-day residential sessions on topics including personal leadership, leading change, communicating as a leader, and results-based leadership and collaboration.

Ongoing learning happens between sessions, where fellows work together on an inter-organizational project in small teams. Each fellow also gets executive coaching and access to the program’s learning materials.

Selection criteria

Successful applicants are vital leaders of their communities and organizations that address the needs of older adults and young children impacted by poverty.

They must be in executive/senior leadership positions of influence in the organizations they represent.

Other factors include commitment to course requirements; experience and career aspirations; adaptability to change; receptivity to learning; ability and willingness to apply lessons learned; and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.

The commitment by the organization’s leadership to the participant’s engagement with the health leadership fellows program is “essential throughout the fellowship,” the Health Foundation said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com