Introduction to Native American Health Workforce; Envisioning Your Future Health Profession

Are you passionate about shaping the future of healthcare in Native American communities? If you are pursuing a career in medicine, health professions, public health policy, or health research, we invite you to apply for this paid UNM undergraduate fellowship. As an Undergraduate Fellow, you will immerse yourself in the critical factors influencing health in Native American populations.

This fellowship equips you with invaluable, hands-on experience while empowering you to strengthen the healthcare workforce. By addressing health disparities and enhancing community well-being, you will play a vital role in fostering a healthier future for Indigenous populations. You will also have the unique opportunity to share your insights and findings with fellow UNM and tribal college students and the broader public, promoting a collaborative approach to improving health outcomes.

Join us in this impactful initiative and be a key contributor to the advancement of healthcare in Native American communities. Together, we can make a lasting difference!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until January 18, 2025.

Fellowship experiences will include:

• Weekly Group Meetings: Throughout the Spring 2025 semester, you will meet as a group every week. Every other week will feature a workshop or structured activity focused on Indigenous health and healthcare workforce professions. On the alternate weeks, you will engage in mentoring, structured peer conversations, and work on your final projects. Meetings will primarily occur on Tuesdays at 5:00 PM, with the exception of holidays and university closures. Most meetings will be conducted via Zoom, although some may be held in person.
• Engagement with Native Healthcare Professionals: You will have the opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals from Native communities’ multiple times throughout the semester. These interactions will provide essential insights and perspectives that are crucial to understanding healthcare needs and the social determinants of health impacting Indigenous public health.
• Fellowship Reflection Project: You will design and develop your own fellowship reflection project. The initial fellowship session will assist you in conceptualizing and planning your project. Possible project topics include, but are not limited to:
  • Communicating a specific health topic to the public.
  • Highlighting the value and effectiveness of Native American healthcare professionals in Indigenous health outcomes, services, and advocacy.
  • Creating an overview of ethical health research practices related to health concerns as defined by Native American leaders and health practitioners.
  • Educating non-Native researchers or practitioners on the importance of Native ways of knowing and historical Native research approaches.
  • Applying the recently published National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey 2023: Data on Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities to address opioid and substance use in tribal communities.

• Collaborative Zine Project: You will also have a unique opportunity to participate in a project with the UNM Center for Native American Health, where you will collaborate on a Zine that addresses healthcare workforce needs and social risk factors for diabetes.
• Presentation Opportunity: You will present your fellowship reflection project and/or your Zine project at a special session during the UNM Undergraduate Research Opportunities Conference (UROC) on April 11, 2025.

Fellows Compensation and Selection

1. A total of twenty students will be selected to participate as Health Research Fellows in the Spring 2025 semester.
2. Each selected student will receive a total stipend of $250, disbursed in two installments: $125 at the beginning of the semester and $125 at the conclusion. UNM students will receive these stipends as Department Awards, which are similar to grants and count as financial aid. Departmental Awards will be directly deposited into student bursar accounts.
3. Eligible applicants include students who are enrolled full-time (12 credits or more) in an undergraduate degree program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) or one of New Mexico’s tribal colleges. Undecided majors are encouraged to apply. All fellows must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the Spring 2025 semester. Students from branch campuses and tribal colleges are welcome to apply but please note that some weekly meetings will be held in person in Albuquerque.
4. We invite students from diverse academic backgrounds to apply. However, priority will be given to those pursuing careers in medicine, health professions, public health policy, or health research, as well as those with aspirations related to environmental health research, advocacy, or public policy.
5. We welcome applications from undergraduate students at all levels, including first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior students. Our goal is to achieve a balanced cohort of Health Research Fellows.
6. Grade Point Average (GPA) will not be a determining factor in the selection process. Applicants who have faced challenges in their educational journey that may have impacted their GPA are encouraged to share these experiences in their application. Demonstrating resilience in overcoming adversity can be a valuable asset to the cohort.
7. We aim to ensure that at least 50% of the selected participants are Native American students, harnessing their expertise to provide peer education to non-Native students.
8. The selection of Health Research Fellows will involve a holistic review of each applicant's motivation, particularly their commitment to serving Native communities, readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue, strengths they bring to the cohort, and experiences related to community service and volunteerism. It is important to recognize that “community service” encompasses a broad definition, including caregiving for aging family members and friends.
9. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until January 18, 2025. 

How can this fellowship benefit your career?

• You will learn the importance and approaches to ethical research, advocacy, and public policy on Native American Health issues.
• You will build peer and professional connections to others who are committed to healthy Native American Communities.
• You will recognize how to leverage your knowledge and experiences to advocate for health equity at multiple levels and in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• You will meet Native Community Leaders who are actively engaged in setting public health and research policy, especially in the realm of opioid and substance abuse.
• You can list the fellowship on your resume and on applications to graduate schools.

What essay questions will be on the application form?

• What profession will you pursue? Please describe your career goals, including any plans for graduate school if applicable.  Describe how your future career might include engagement with Indigenous health and/or Native American communities & individuals.  (2500 character maximum)
• Please describe any personal and academic strengths you bring to the Fellows cohort. Strengths could include, but are not limited to: growing up as a member of a tribal community; experience conducting or assisting on a research project; familiarity with public policy or a health issue; video production skills; written communication or public speaking skills; appreciation for working in groups; strong commitment to working in Native communities after college; speaking multiple languages; international education experiences; and many others! (2500 character maximum). 
• Please describe your experiences with community engagement, service and/or volunteerism. We encourage you to think broadly when describing your experiences.  You may initially think that caring for a grandparent does not qualify as service, but it absolutely does.  We are interested in learning how you interact with your community, including your extended family.  An experience does not have to be formal (for instance, an internship at a local clinic) to be life-changing.  (2500 character maximum)
• In 1200 characters or less, summarize why you would like to participate as an Undergraduate Fellow.
• Additional comments you would like the selection committee to consider. (1000 characters maximum) (optional)

Questions?

If you have any questions about becoming a Health Research Fellow, please contact Tim Schroeder, Director of the UNM Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design Network, at timschroeder@unm.edu.

The UNM Undergraduate Fellowship: Introduction to Native American Health Workforce: Envisioning Your Future Health Profession is sponsored by the UNM HSC Center for Native American Health. It is supported by leaders from UNM American Indian Student Services, UNM Native American Studies, the Division for Equity and Inclusion, the University College Pre-Health Professions Student Development Program, and the UNM Research, Arts & Design Network.