Maria Portela, MD, MPH
Director, HLIF
mportela@mfa.gwu.edu
About
The Health Leadership Impact Fellowship (HLIF) at the Mullan Institute aims to develop and support future federal leaders in public health, with a focus on recruiting individuals from underrepresented groups in federal government leadership positions. Learn more about the program.
The HLIF is a one-year residential fellowship program in the Washington, DC area that will include the following program activities:
- Initial, mid, and final in-person convenings
- Monthly in-person sessions involving Health Impact and Leadership curriculum and training
- Health impact, health policy, and leadership seminars
- Site visits
- A federal longitudinal placement and work experience
- Health impact policy analysis project
- Leadership, employment, and peer-to-peer coaching
- Mentorship pairing with a health impact/policy leader with federal leadership experience
Fellowship Logistics
- This is a one-year (12-month) full-time residential (Washington, DC) fellowship from July 2025 through June 2026.
- Fellows receive a one-year stipend of $60,000, including access to health insurance benefits.
Please Note the Following:
- While fellows are not employed by the federal government, candidates will need to undergo a background investigation prior to placement at a HHS host site. More information on this process is available here.
- Marijuana is illegal under federal law.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or national to apply.
Learning Objectives
- Develop comprehensive knowledge of fundamental issues related to health disparities, health equity, social determinants of health, and health policy.
- Study and apply strategic interventions to address health disparities and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations and society.
- Build and leverage individual leadership skills to enhance personal effectiveness in leading change in organizations and communities.
- Catalyze the growth of a network of leaders, working in federal and other public health sector organizations, committed to health equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion in those organizations and society.
Fellowship Recruitment
The fellowship program is not currently accepting applications.
Recruited fellows will be:
- Graduate-level students or recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, their graduate degree. This includes individuals who are in or within two years of completing their graduate-level public health, health professional, or other related degree. Individuals currently in or within two years of completing health professional residency programs (e.g., graduate medical education, dental residency, nurse practitioner residency, etc.) are eligible.
- Committed to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health through health policies, programs, and practices.
Application Process
Fellows will be selected based on their commitment to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health, and their interest in health policy and the federal government. The program, in collaboration with OMH, will select six (6) fellows for the July 2025 to June 2026 fellowship year. The application period is currently closed.
The application includes:
- Demographic information about you and your professional field/program;
- Statement of interest (500 word limit) on why you want to be an OMH HELDI fellow, including your major strengths and unique personal and leadership characteristics, and your interests, experience, and/or contributions in the health equity field;
- Three HHS agencies or offices that would be of interest to you for fellowship placement; and
- Supporting documents, including a curriculum vitae (CV) and two letters of recommendation. At least one of your letters of recommendations should come from an individual with whom you have worked professionally or is aware of your academic accomplishments. This can include community or volunteer work.