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Learn more about the TIPS agenda and the subject matter covered by the 2026-2027 cohort.
The AOA’s Training in Policy Studies (TIPS) Fellowship Program is training the next generation of leaders in health policy. This program, generously funded by the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF), will provide residents with an understanding of current health policy issues and help them build skills necessary to tackle complex public health challenges through policy. Issues addressed in the program include effectively communicating policy proposals, payment reform, building the future healthcare workforce and policy approaches to addressing public health issues.
The program will seek to develop the following skills:
Fellows will participate in a total of seven learning sessions, including a final presentation. Of these sessions, three will be in-person, and four will be held digitally. The program will start in October 2026 and conclude at OMED in September 2027, during which fellows will share their final presentations. TIPS Fellows must participate in at least six of the meetings to receive a certificate at the end of the program.
Reading and projects outside of class sessions help support Fellows’ learning and facilitate thoughtful discussion and policy analysis during meetings. We recognize the time constraints that residents face and have worked to design assignments to be accomplished in the time allotted without overburdening residents. Assignments will include:
Assignments will include:
Please note topics are subject to change based on current events and evolving policy landscape.
| Meeting dates | Subject(s) | Description |
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| In-person meeting: Oct. 23, 2026, OMED26 (Las Vegas, Nevada) |
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| Virtual meeting: Dec. 1, 2026, 7 p.m. ET |
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| Virtual meeting: Feb. 8, 2027, 7 p.m. ET |
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| Initial outline on selected policy paper topic (due Monday, Feb. 1, 2027) | ||
| Virtual meeting: March 2027 (exact date and time TBD) |
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| Policy paper draft (due Friday, March 26, 2027) | ||
| Virtual meeting: April 19, 2027, 7 p.m. ET |
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| In-person meeting: June 7-8, 2027, Washington, D.C. (tentative) |
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| Revised policy paper draft and final congressional one-pager (due Friday, June 25, 2027) | ||
| Virtual meeting: Aug. 2027 (exact date and time TBD) |
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| Final papers and presentations (due Monday, Aug. 23, 2027) | ||
| In-person meeting: Sept. 24-26, 2027, OMED27 (Phoenix, Arizona) |
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The fellowship is a year-long leadership training program designed to give osteopathic physicians the skills they need to analyze, formulate and implement health policy on the local, state and national levels with the purpose of increasing access to affordable, quality healthcare.
This program is open to all osteopathic physicians who are in an active AOA- or ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship training program. We are seeking a class of ten fellows.
In past cohorts, fellows have attended three in-person seminars, in conjunction with AOA events such as the OMED conference, and participated in five video conferences. Please note that the agenda will be subject to change, and additional details will be posted as they become available.
Yes. A fellow who is accepted into the program is expected to attend all in-person sessions, complete all assignments by the deadline and participate in at least four of the five digital meetings.
The program is funded by a generous grant from the American Osteopathic Foundation and there is no tuition cost for the program. As part of the program, fellows will receive transportation and one night of lodging to in-person meetings and associated AOA events. The AOA will cover costs related to travel for the in-person meetings in accordance with its travel policy.
No, there will be no academic credit or CME credit received for completion of the TIPS Program.
You will make your own travel arrangements to the seminars, and the AOA will cover travel costs associated with in-person meetings per its travel policy. Please note the time the seminars end and make return flights that will allow you to participate fully that last day of the seminar.
Fellows spend approximately 20 hours on TIPS assignments in-between sessions. The reading assignment is designed to take about four hours. The bulk of your time is spent researching your project topic and drafting your policy briefs.
Yes. The fellows will be invited to present at an AOA Bureau meeting or conference.
Yes, you will receive an AOA certificate of completion at graduation.