Washington, DC — Today, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) announced six new fellows from over 140 applications who were selected for the 2023 Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) Fellowship Program.
The goal of the ELC Fellowship is to create an accessible pathway for emerging and aspiring state leaders of color — particularly those from communities most impacted by health inequities — to enter and ultimately lead the development and administration of state health policy informed by their own lived experiences.
Each fellow is paired with a senior state policy leader of color. For the next nine months, advisors will support fellows in learning about and navigating a state health policy career, and in the development of a state health policy project. The fellowship program cycle culminates with the opportunity for fellows to share their experiences at the NASHP annual conference.
“We are so excited to launch the third year of our Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship program,” said Hemi Tewarson, president and executive director of NASHP. “Supporting aspiring health leaders with lived experience and connecting them with senior state officials from a range of backgrounds and experiences will hopefully lead to the development of more equitable health policy that better reflects the needs of the communities being served.”
“I see the value of the ELC program as having a dual purpose. First, preparing for the next wave of dynamic, transformational leaders for success and second, the opportunity for current leaders to share their knowledge and wisdom,” said Cheryl Roberts, a 2023 ELC advisor and director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.
The ELC program also provides fellows with a community of support, guided learning opportunities, and more. Learn more about the ELC Fellowship. Last year’s program fellows concluded their activities in fall 2022. To learn more about their fellowship experiences, in their own words, read their reflections.
The Class of 2023 Emerging Leaders of Color fellows and advisors are:
Fellows:
- Jeniece Cordova, Georgia
- Orbosa Idehen, North Carolina
- Echohawk Lefthand, Nebraska
- Angela Osmar, Florida
- Edward Robles, California
- Hattie Xu, Massachusetts
Advisors:
- Debra C. Farrington, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary/Chief Equity Officer
- Anna Novais, Acting Secretary, Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services
- Kevin Patterson, Chief Executive Officer, Connect for Health Colorado
- Cheryl Roberts, Director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Michelle Robinson, Director, Office of Health Equity, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Shabnam Salih, Director, Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency, New Jersey Governor’s Office
