NMF Primary Care Leadership Program
NMF Primary Care Leadership Program (PCLP)
In order to increase access to primary care for chronically underserved communities, the GE Foundation and National Medical Fellowships founded the Primary Care Leadership Program (PCLP) in 2012. PCLP provides future health care 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. PCLP scholars will receive a $7,000 stipend.
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
PCLP Site Partners
In 2024, PCLP Site Partners are in:
- 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 healthcare service delivery. 2023 programming will focus on the various needs of Community Health Clinics and the populations they serve. This can include but is not limited to:
- substance use disorders (SUD)
- behavioral health integration
- combatting the opioid crisis
- HIV/AIDS epidemic
- culturally competent care
- social determinants of health
- street medicine
Application Timeline
PCLP applications will be open December 5 - February 5, 2024
NMF will not be offering an Early Decision opportunity
NMF plans to notify all applicants of their acceptances no later than the end of March 2024.
If applicants accept this opportunity and later withdraw before or during the program they may
- be required to return any/all provided funds (regardless if utilized)
- have a letter from NMF sent to the student's dean
- inability to apply to another NMF opportunity until the following academic year
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 a student underrepresented in medicine* 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 Dates
Program dates for 2024:
- Los Angeles, CA: June 17 – July 26, 2024
NOTE: PCLP is an in-person program in 2024. However, scholars should be prepared to pivot to a virtual program model depending on COVID-19 related conditions as determined by your assigned site.
Scholars should plan to use a portion of their scholarship stipend to cover travel, living, lodging expenses during the service-learning experience period.
Applicant Resources
A flyer with general information about the 2023 program is available for download here. Please note that this information reflects program data as of December, 2022 and may be updated during the application cycle.
If you have questions or concerns about the program, please contact pclpinfo@nmfonline.org.