Organized to extend the experiences, insights, competencies and skills necessary for fellows to advance in leadership positions in a rapidly changing health care system, the program is directed by Edward O'Neil and Marilyn Chow in the UCSF Center for the Health Professions. "

Today, successful leaders must be able to draw on their strengths and connect these to potential partners and collaborators who can address the complex issues confronting health care. This program is structured to address this need," said O'Neil.

Each fellowship includes $45,000 to be spent over three years to support self-directed learning activities, independent study, and access to a national peer network. Other components of the program include completion of a core leadership curriculum and mentorship with an experienced leader and a comprehensive leadership project. "

The leadership project enables fellows to tackle issues of critical importance to the future of health care -- for example, long-term care for the elderly, innovations in care delivery and education, technology, preparing future nurses, and other workforce issues including the nursing shortage," said Chow.

The RWJ Executive Nurse Fellows Program focuses on five key leadership competencies in the emerging health care system: self-knowledge, strategic vision, risk-taking and creativity, interpersonal and communication effectiveness and inspiring and leading change. Since 1997, the UCSF program has received approximately $14.3 million from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and funded nearly 65 fellowships. Through 2006, program directors expect to fund 40 additional fellowships. Fellowships are open to senior level nurses in executive roles in health services, public/community health, and nursing education.

Applications for the next 20-member class will be available in late October and are due February 1, 2002. To apply, visit the Center for the Health Professions web site.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based in Princeton, NJ, is the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care. It concentrates its grant support in three goal areas: to assure that all Americans have access to basic health care at reasonable cost; to improve care and support for people with chronic health conditions; and to promote health and reduce the personal, social and economic harm caused by substance abuse -- tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Links:
UCSF Center for the Health Professions
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation