NMF Primary Care Leadership Program (PCLP)
PCLP provides future healthcare professionals with an opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of primary care practice in community health centers (CHCs) across the US. This program is open to medical students and graduate-level nursing and physician assistant students who are poised to become leaders in primary care.
About the Program
In order to increase access to primary care for the underserved, the GE Foundation and National Medical Fellowships founded the Primary Care Leadership Program (PCLP) in 2012. PCLP provides future healthcare professionals with an opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of primary care practice in community health centers (CHCs) across the U.S. This program is open to medical students and graduate-level nursing and physician assistant students who are poised to become leaders in primary care.
In 2022, PCLP Site Partners are located in:
- Boston, MA
- Gateway Cities, MA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
For six weeks, PCLP Scholars actively engage with a CHC Site Partner and PCLP mentors in leadership training, team-based project activities, and health care service delivery. 2022 programming in Boston and the Gateway Cities, MA will focus on substance use disorders (SUD), behavioral health integration, and combatting the opioid crisis. Programming in Chicago, IL and Houston, TX will focus on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and culturally competent care for patients living with or at risk of contracting HIV. Programming in Los Angeles, CA will be Site Partner-specific and generalized to primary care in CHC settings.
Program dates for 2022
- Boston, MA and Gateway Cities, MA: June 6 – July 15, 2022
- Chicago, IL and Houston, TX: June 13 – July 22, 2022
- Los Angeles, CA: June 20 – July 29, 2022
NOTE: We are currently planning to implement PCLP as the traditional in-person program in 2021. However, we will be prepared to pivot to the virtual program model depending on COVID-19 related conditions. Additionally, scholars should be prepared to provide proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 including the booster to participate in any required on-site programming.
Scholars each receive a $5,000 scholarship stipend that is expected to cover travel, living, and lodging expenses during the service-learning experience period.
Please read below for more information, and contact us with any questions or concerns at pclpinfo@nmfonline.org.
Application Timeline
NMF is offering Early Decision admittance to PCLP in 2022. Students who apply early decision will be notified no later than February 2022 with either an acceptance offer or alternate status. Alternates will be considered for the April 2022 decision date. Accepted early decision applicants will have one week to commit to PCLP or they will be moved to the alternate pool.
Acceptance of the Early Decision offer is a binding agreement to participate in PCLP during the assigned dates. Please note that if a student accepts a scholar offer during early decision, then withdraws from their commitment, a formal letter of complaint will be sent to the student’s dean and the student will be ineligible to apply for NMF awards for two years. The early decision application deadline is Friday, December 31, 2021 at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Applicant Resources
A flyer with general information about the 2022 program is available for download here. Please note that this information reflects program data as of October 26, 2021 and may be updated during the application cycle.
If you have questions or concerns, or would like to speak with a PCLP Alumnus about the program, please contact pclpinfo@nmfonline.org.
Program Eligibility
PCLP scholar candidates must meet the following eligibility:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval letter
- Currently enrolled in an accredited medical school or graduate-level nursing or physician assistant program located in the U.S.
- Identification as an underrepresented minority student* in healthcare and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged student
- Demonstrated leadership early in career
- Commitment to serving medically underserved communities
*NMF designates the following racial/ethnic groups as underrepresented student in healthcare: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American (Vietnamese and Cambodian only), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Program Requirements
Scholars complete their program requirements during June and July, including a six-week on-site period. Program requirements include:
- Program orientation;
- 200 service-learning hours at assigned CHC site placement;
- Leadership training, including one-on-one interactions with site leadership; attendance at management and other staff meetings; site leadership interviews; and participation in Leadership Seminar Series webinars;
- PCLP project, including a project proposal, report, and poster presentation;
- Clinical experience; and
- Program assessment