Robert L. Phillips, Jr. Health Policy Fellowship

Robert L. Phillips

The Robert L. Phillips, Jr. Health Policy Fellowship is a one-year, full-time, in-person fellowship program that combines experiences in scholarly research, medical education, and clinical practice. Located in Washington, DC, fellows have a unique opportunity to interact with local and federal policymakers as an integrated part of the program. Fellows have the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to the institutions in the DC community.

The year begins with exposure to primary health care policy data, research methodology, and data analytics. Fellows are involved in research from conception through dissemination. Elements of research portfolio are tailored to the fellows interests and skill set. The fellow is introduced to various local and national organizations that explore health policy research, implementation, and community leaders that apply primary care research. Fellows may work with several partners, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, and the Health Resources Services Administration. Some fellows may explore working with congressional staff or members of professional organizations on one pagers and health legislation.

Health Policy Fellowship and graduate medical education opportunities in family medicine are offered by MedStar Health. Read more about the one-year Robert L. Phillips, Jr. Health Policy Fellowship.

Fellowship Activities and Features:

Health Services and Policy Research (50% FTE): Conduct primary care research at the Robert Graham Center on projects that innovate and transform primary care delivery. Fellows will develop, conduct, and disseminate original health policy research and contribute to team-based research initiatives. Collaborate with a federal partner on primary care research initiatives.

Direct Patient Care (20% FTE): Provide care at one of Unity Health Care’s Community Health Centers with a dedicated patient panel.

Residency Education (10% FTE): Precept resident physicians at Fort Lincoln Family Medicine Center (outpatient) one half-day per week, provide residency didactics on occasion, and act as inpatient attending for family medicine residency service 6 weeks per year with call (no obstetrics required).

Medical Student Education (20% FTE): Teach M1 students at Georgetown University in three courses: Evidence Based Medicine; Patients, Populations, and Policy; and Community Based Learning. May teach acting internship students in clinical setting. Conduct case-based seminars with M3 students during their family medicine rotations. Oversee medical students working at the residency.

Leadership Development: Attend personalized leadership development seminars with the Robert Graham Center, Georgetown University, and the American Board of Family Medicine. Topics may include teaching philosophy, evidence-based medicine, grant writing, publishing, data analysis, and advancement in academic medicine.

Conferences: Attend the annual North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) meeting and Society of Teachers in Family Medicine (STFM) conference for education and networking.

How to Apply to the Fellowship

The application period for the upcoming academic year, which starts in July, is from September 1st until November 15th. The application packet consists of the applicant’s personal statement, CV, 3 letters of recommendation, and an application form. To request a current copy of the application form and receive more information about the fellowship of your interest, please email familymed@georgetown.edu.

Current Fellow

Dr. Joshua Smith - Health Policy Fellow

Joshua Smith, MD, MPH is a Family Physician and Psychiatrist. He serves as a Health Policy Fellow at the Robert Graham Center and Instructor in the Department of Family Medicine at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Smith completed his combined residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at The Christ Hospital/University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. He earned his MD and MPH in Health Policy and Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his BA in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis. His clinical, teaching, and research interests include integrated behavioral health, chronic disease management, and the intersection of healthcare with housing, economic, and social policy. He is passionate about delivering high quality care to medically, psychiatrically, and socially complex patients, while also working to improve health and healthcare for all individuals.

Former Fellows

  • Diana Rubio (2024-2025)
  • Chrystal Pristell (2023-2024)
  • Grace Walter (2022-2023)
  • Rita Kuwahara (2021-2022)
  • Monica Ajinkya (2020-2021)
  • Brian Antono (2019-2020)
  • Alison Huffstetler (2018-2019)
  • Robert Baillieu (2017-2018)
  • Hannah Jackson (2017-2018)
  • Tyler Barreto (2016-2017)
  • Julie Marcinek Petersen (2016-2017)
  • Yalda Jabbarpour (2015-2016)
  • Tracey Henry (2014-2015)
  • Melanie Raffoul (2014-2015)
  • John Parks (2013-2014)
  • Matthew Burke (2012-2013)
  • Laura Makaroff (2012-2013)
  • Rachael Consoli (2010-2011)
  • Winston Liaw (2009-2010)
  • Matthew Burke (2009-2010)
  • Keisa Bennett (2008-2009)
  • Anne Gaglioti (2007-2008)
  • Krishnan Narasimhan (2006-2007)
  • Ginger Ruddy (2004-2005)
  • Charles Ellington (2004-2005)
  • April Everett (2003-2004)
  • Janelle Guirguis-Blake (2002-2003)
  • David Meyers (2001-2002)