NACHC Collaborates with Bloomberg American Health Initiative on Fellowship Program for Community Health Center Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amy Simmons Farber, 202-309-0338

Bethesda, MD-The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have announced a new collaboration to strengthen the integration of primary care and public health within the national network of Community Health Centers (CHCs).

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) will endorse qualified CHC staff for up to five full scholarships for a Master of Public Health degree through Bloomberg Fellows Program, facilitated by the Initiative. The Bloomberg Fellows program supports individuals engaged with organizations addressing five critical public health challenges: addiction and overdose, food systems for health, violence, adolescent health, and environmental challenges. This collaboration will help health centers develop innovative, evidence-based solutions to these pressing issues. Eligible applicants may come from a wide range of roles within health centers, including program managers, outreach staff, clinicians, and others.

CHCs are the largest primary care network in the United States, serving nearly 34 million patients at more than 17,000 sites nationwide and employing over 326,000 staff. They are the foundation of health care in our nation's underserved communities built on accessible, patient-governed, high-quality, integrated primary care.

The collaboration will cultivate a new generation of public health leaders within CHCs across the country. NACHC uses a framework of Science, Education, Practice, and Policy (SEPP) to ensure collaborations are grounded in evidence and responsive to the real-world needs of CHCs and their communities. This agreement contributes to the Education and Practice pillar to serve CHCs by being a provider of choice and investing in their workforce for the purpose of supporting the patients they serve.

Bloomberg Fellows accepted into the program will have flexibility in completing their MPH degree, with options for:

• Full-time on-campus study
• Part-time online learning over two-and-a-half to four years
• Opportunities for leadership and engagement through NACHC to scale their community-based work nationally

This adaptable approach ensures that working CHC leaders can advance their education while continuing to serve their communities. Following the completion of their studies, the fellow will continue to work for at least a year at their CHC, putting their knowledge into action.

"This partnership represents a shared commitment to invest in the next generation of primary care and public health leaders in community health," said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of NACHC. "By combining the nation's largest primary care network with the world-class expertise of the Bloomberg School, we can equip Community Health Center leaders with the tools they need to address our country's most pressing public health challenges and improve health outcomes for all."

"Community Health Center staff build bridges from offering essential clinical services to improving the health of their entire community," said Josh Sharfstein, MD, director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative. "We're thrilled to offer training in building this bridge in partnership with the NACHC through the Bloomberg Fellows program."

Application Process

Successful applicants will need to be endorsed by NACHC, admitted to the MPH program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and accepted by the Bloomberg Fellows Program. NACHC will endorse CHC candidates for up to five fellowship positions each year. Applications for endorsement must be submitted to [email protected]by October 1, 2025. Applicants will need to apply to both the MPH program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Bloomberg Fellows program by December 1, 2025.

For more information about eligibility and the Bloomberg Fellows Program, follow this link.

About NACHC

NACHC's mission is to champion Community Health Centers delivering affordable, effective, comprehensive primary care that is community-driven and improves health for all.