The Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship
Explore a Career in Public Health
The Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship is a summer fellowship intended to encourage undergraduate students from underrepresented populations (Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC), low-income, LGBTQIA+) to apply for employment and pursue careers in public health or community medicine. Up to six qualified applicants will be selected for the fellowship. Howard Brown Health’s Center for Education Research and Advocacy (ERA) will offer a community-based comprehensive experience working in an LGBTQ+ focused health center to encourage professional development of future leaders and provide training in project management skills in public health and the nonprofit sector.
The Shapen Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for underrepresented students to learn project management skills. Program directors offer a menu of projects available to fellows over the course of their summer and will strive to match projects with students’ selected areas of interest.
- Each Fellow will provide 300 hours of project management over the course of 10 weeks working with Howard Brown mentors.
- Fellows will partner with one or more of the multi-disciplinary teams across Howard Brown, including but not exclusive to education, clinical, social and behavioral research, and advocacy.
- Fellows will also be provided opportunities to learn about community health centers and about how Howard Brown approaches its mission of eliminating the disparities in healthcare experienced by LGBTQ+ people.
- Up to six (6) Fellows are selected annually in a highly competitive process.
- This is a paid fellowship – fellows are paid $20/hour.
2024 Program Timeline
- February 15, 2024 – Applications open
- March 17, 2024, at 5:30pm CST – Applications due
- April 15-19, 2024 – Decision emails are sent
- May 27, 2024 – Fellows notified of project and preceptor assignments
- June 10, 2024 – Fellowship begins
- August 16, 2024 – Fellowship ends
Eligibility
Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled Spring 2024 (and not graduating Spring 2024) or students who are planning to enroll Fall 2024 are invited to apply. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please reach out.
Howard Brown Health encourages applications from LGBTQIA+ BIPOC students who are interested in public health, research, and working in community health.
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Resume or CV
- Minimum 500-word essay that includes the student’s introduction, a brief explanation describing the student’s motivation for becoming a Shapen fellow and a brief paragraph explaining the reason for the project they selected as their first choice.
Apply to the Shapen Fellowship
Questions? Reach out to Gabriella Mulder, Training Specialist I, and Cec Hardacker, Director of Education, by emailing internshipresidency@howardbrown.org.
About Greg Shapen
Greg Shapen was a Howard Brown employee who died of AIDS-related complications in 1990. His parents, George and Juanita, wanted to ensure that Greg’s contributions were remembered, and so established this fellowship to keep the memory of their son alive in perpetuity.
Greg worked as a walk-in clinic manager at Howard Brown, where he met his partner, John Weldt. When Greg was diagnosed with AIDS, he told John “I want a house and a dog before I die.” They bought a three-flat in Andersonville and Greg adopted a Dalmatian that he named Daisy. “Howard Brown was the center of our lives,” John said, remembering that the staff threw them a dog shower.
Greg will be remembered for his thoughtfulness and generosity. As the end of his life neared, Greg gave those he loved keepsakes by which to remember him. Greg gave his father a beloved tie that he still wears once a year.