Policy Fellowship
Overview
The Stanford Biodesign Policy Fellowship seeks to develop the next generation of health policy leaders capable of leveraging transformative new technologies to materially impact patient outcomes while democratizing access to care.
Policy Fellows come to Stanford with backgrounds in law, government, regulation, reimbursement, health systems management, and health technology start-ups or corporate leadership. They are selected via a competitive application process to embark on a two-year journey that takes them from Stanford campus to Washington, DC.
In year 1, as fulltime members of the Stanford Biodesign community, the fellows initiate their training by delving deep into the fundamentals of the Biodesign approach to need-driven health technology innovation. They also become immersed in all aspects of the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem to gain an understanding of diverse stakeholder perspectives related to health technology, including those of patients, providers, innovators, investors, payers, regulators, and government leaders. With this unique background and context, the fellows conduct important and impactful health policy research on topics ranging from intellectual property to health equity to healthcare financing and payment. They also receive tactical training in the fundamentals of healthcare policy making and begin network-building in national and state policy circles.
In their second year, the Policy Fellows relocate to Washington, DC (or another policy hub) to gain real-world experience working in the White House, on Capitol Hill in Congressional offices, or in agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, or the Department of Health and Human Services. By adding an active role in policymaking to their Stanford experience, our fellows are able to immediately launch into advanced careers in health policy upon completion of the program.
Why Explore Health Policy at Stanford Biodesign?
Focus
We offer the only applied health policy program specifically centered on the dynamic area of health technology and grounded in the Stanford Biodesign innovation process, which has been proven over 20 years. Technologies initiated during our training programs have helped more than 7.6 million people to date, with millions more touched by products developed by our trainees after they graduate from Stanford Biodesign.
Format
The fellowship has a unique two-year design:
- An initial year of policy research coupled with hands-on exposure to the health technology innovation process and ecosystem.
- A second year in Washington, DC (or another policy hub) focused on learning the policy-making process and bridging the divide between policymakers and health technology innovators.
Location
Fellows build networks at Stanford University, across the Silicon Valley health technology ecosystem, and throughout multiple levels of government.
Policy Fellowship Leaders
Josh Makower Director, Stanford Biodesign
Kavita Patel Director, Policy Program
Sandra Waugh Ruggles Director, Policy Research
Kevin Schulman Senior Advisor, Policy Program
James Wall Policy Fellowship Innovation Liaison
Lyn Denend Director, Academic Programs
Antje Kirschner Fellowships Coordinator
Susie Spielman Senior Manager, Curriculum and Assessment
Domain Directors
Eb Bright Director, Intellectual Property Policy
Nancy Isaac Director, Regulatory Policy
Jay Khosla Director, Federal Policy and Politics
Rohini Kosoglu Director, Political Affairs
Jan Pietzsch Director, Health Economics and Value
Stella Safo Director, Health Equity
Piper Su Director, Healthcare Finance and Payment