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VA Associated Health Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program
Purpose, Program Emphasis and Description
More than 600,000 new veterans have become eligible for VA services since the
beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These veterans face a host of
unique combat-related problems, many of which will become lifelong chronic
conditions. To help ensure that these veterans receive the highest quality care,
the Minneapolis VA Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research (CCDOR), a
VA Health Services Research Center of Excellence
(
www.hsrd.minneapolis.med.va.gov),
has focused its research on post-deployment health. CCDOR is now offering a
two year postdoctoral fellowship in post-deployment health.
This fellowship is designed to train researchers in theory and applied research
methods in the area of post-deployment health. Possible areas of scholarship
include (but are not limited to): mental health (including PTSD), substance use
disorders, treatment interventions, military sexual trauma, gender and race
disparities, and research and statistical methods.
Fellows can expect to have an intensive, well-supported experience while working
with VA and University of Minnesota affiliated faculty. The fellowship is
designed to help researchers who have a diverse set of skills to integrate
their background with health services research content and methods in order to
meet their career goals and program objectives. Under the guidance of mentors
and the fellowship program director, each fellow will develop a tailored,
individualized program intended to advance their skills and special strengths.
Fellows also receive an annual $7,000 stipend to develop their research program.
Programs are organized around six major activities:
Formal training in health services research methods.
A mentored research experience through ongoing research projects in the research area.
Participation in CCDOR-sponsored seminars.
Development of independent research proposals.
Preparation of articles for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
Training in effective grant writing.
Participation in national conferences is strongly encouraged and funding is available.
Description of CCDOR
CCDOR is an interdisciplinary community of professionals conducting
methodologically rigorous research intended primarily to improve the health care
of veterans. The Center was founded in 1998 and currently employs 25 MD and PhD
investigators, with over 45 externally funded projects and an annual budget of
over $9 million.
PhD investigators include social scientists, health economists, and
biostatisticians. CCDOR and its investigators are affiliated with the University of
Minnesota Medical School, School of Public Health, the Comprehensive Cancer Center
and the Clinical Outcomes Research Center. CCDOR's research covers a broad range
of content areas and employs a variety of research methodologies.
Methodologies include clinical trials, observational epidemiology, systematic
reviews and meta-analyses, surveys, qualitative and quantitative interviews,
intervention research including evaluation of translation interventions, and
database and economic analyses.
Eligibility and Benefits
Candidates with a doctoral degree in psychology, public health, social sciences,
biomedicine, and statistics are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be U.S.
Citizens. The deadline for application is March 31, 2009. The fellowship start
date is flexible, but ideally fellows will begin in the fall of 2009. The
fellowship includes a competitive stipend ($42,818 as of June, 2006) with most
federal benefits. Fellows also receive an annual research stipend of $7000 to
develop their research program.
To Apply
Send a cover letter stating interests and goals for the fellowship, curriculum
vita, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample to:
Joan M. Griffin, PhD
Associated Health Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Minneapolis VA Medical Center (152/2E)
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
For more information, contact:
Joan M. Griffin, PhD
Director, Associated Health Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Minneapolis VA Medical Center (152/2E)
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: 612/725-1979
Fax: 612/725-5699
Email:
Joan Griffin
CCDOR Physician Fellowship Program in Health Services Research
Purpose
The Minneapolis VA Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research (CCDOR) and the
University of Minnesota offer a Physician Research Fellowship designed to prepare
board eligible physicians for successful careers in academic medicine. Physicians
in the fields of internal medicine, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine and other
specialties are encouraged to apply. The Fellowship program provides individualized
training and progressive experience in three major areas: Clinical Research;
Medical Education and Ambulatory Medicine Health Care Delivery.
Program Description
The Fellowship is a 2 year (with a 3rd year option) program funded by the Department
of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service. The program
includes formal training in research methodology leading to a masters degree, an
intensive mentored research experience, and training in all aspects of professional
academic life, including grant and manuscript writing, clinical teaching, research
and educational presentations, and critical review of the literature.
About CCDOR
The fellowship is housed primarily at the Minneapolis VA Center for Chronic Disease
Outcomes Research. CCDOR, founded in 1998, is comprised of an interdisciplinary
community of professionals conducting methodologically rigorous, clinically relevant
research intended primarily to improve the health care of veterans. The Center supports
over 80 funded projects and an annual budget of over $10.5 million. There are
currently 22 PhD and MD core investigators, 22 affiliate investigators, and 36
research and administrative support staff, including 10 in the biostatical and
data core. In addition there is an active post-doctoral training program for PhD
investigators.
Mentoring
Each fellow is paired with a primary mentor who is responsible for the overall success of
the fellow's career and professional development. Additional content or methodology
mentors may be added to the team, as necessary. CCDOR supports a formal mentoring program
that includes written materials, close oversight of the mentoring process by the fellowship
director, ongoing training of mentors, and protected time for senior investigators to
engage in formal mentoring.
Training/Experience in Clinical Research and Scholarship:
Course Work
Fellows complete coursework that leads to either an MPH in epidemiology or health
services research or an MS in clinical research through the University of Minnesota
School of Public Health and Graduate School. Tuition is covered.
Conferences and Seminars
Each month, fellows participate in journal clubs as well as research, teaching, and
clinical conferences and workshops. Formal training in systematic reviews is offered.
Independent Research Projects
Fellows develop, pursue and complete 2-3 independent research projects with the guidance
of mentors of their choosing.
Training in Medical Education
Fellows gain expertise in medical education including program development
and evaluation. Fellows participate in workshops and seminars, directed
independent reading and clinical experience with feedback from faculty.
Training in Ambulatory Clinical Care
Fellows further their expertise in ambulatory clinical care depending on their specialty. The
fellowship offers a wide range of clinical experiences including a Primary Care Continuity
Clinic, a Women's Comprehensive Health Care Center and a Geriatric Rehabilitation and Education
Clinical Center (GRECC). Fellows would also be able to advance their Patient Communication
Skills through specialized workshops.
Eligibility and Benefits
Eligible physicians must have graduated from an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
education (ACGME) accredited residency; be board certified or board eligible; be a U.S. citizen;
and have an active unrestricted U.S. medical license. International medical graduates must also
have an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate that is valid
indefinitely.
The fellowship includes a competitive stipend, health care benefits, vacation, tuition and travel
stipends. Personal work space with office support and access to CCDOR resources are provided.
Start dates for fellowships are flexible but July 1st is preferred. The application deadline is
April 1st.
To Apply
Send or email a cover letter and personal statement stating interests and goals for the fellowship,
curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation to:
Steven S. Fu, MD, MSCE
Director, Physician Fellowship Program in Health Services Research
Minneapolis VA Medical Center (152/2E)
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
