2023 AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship

"It's given me the opportunity to join local and national organizations to help affect change and work to improve health outcomes in the area of vaccine science."

The AAFP is recruiting for the Vaccine Science Fellowship Program. The program develops a group of family physicians interested in, and knowledgeable about, vaccine issues. They also help address the interactions between public health and the family medicine community.

The AAFP has two vaccine science fellowship positions available for family physicians. The selected fellows will work with mentors to become more familiar about vaccine science and policy.

Selected applicants will gain education and practical hands-on experience through meetings with experts in public health and immunization, federal and state vaccine policy groups, and vaccine manufacturers. For example, the 2020 Vaccine Fellows conducted a web-based survey to examine vaccine confidence before and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about their work in Survey Measures COVID-19’s Impact on Vaccine Confidence.

About the Vaccine Fellowship

This fellowship creates a group of family physicians interested in the science of vaccine development, production and policy. This program is designed for those who are mid-career in their professional development. The awards are granted to two fellows annually. Each fellow will work with mentors with experience in immunization policy and issues.

The fellowship is for one year with the commitment from their institution and/or department chair that they will allow the time to complete the fellowship from May 1, 2023–April 30, 2024.
Each fellow will devote approximately 10% FTE for one year (22 days), including travel to fellowship activities. A nominal stipend will be provided.
Mentors will guide and assist with education-related vaccine science, policy and family medicine.
Fellows will participate on monthly calls to discuss immunization policies, recommendations, barriers, trends, shortages, concerns, etc.
Fellows will develop a self-study project. This project could be poster presentations, articles, research projects, education outreach, etc. The project will be disseminated to the AAFP membership, public health officials, other immunization organizations, etc.
Fellows are required to travel for vaccine-related meetings. View the travel schedule. Travel costs will be covered under the fellowship.
Note: Fellows are required to attend one of the following Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meetings: June 21-22, 2023 or October 25-26, 2023 in Atlanta, GA.

Fellowship Application Process

To apply for the 2023 AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship, review the Eligibility Requirements and submit the following materials to Pamela Carter-Smith, MPA by April 14:

Curriculum vitae (CV)
Letter of interest
Completed conflict of interest form
Institution and/or department letter
Photo of applicant

Fellowship Graduates

Graduates have expressed appreciation for the program and the opportunity to develop expertise in policies and practices of immunizations, which has been applied in services to their patients, practice and community.

2009
James Loehr, MD, FAAFP (Ithaca, NY)
Everett W. Schlam, MD (Franklin Lakes, NJ)

2011
John Epling, MD, MSEd, FAAFP (Roanoke, VA)
Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Wilmington, DE)

2013
Chris Lupold, MD (Lancaster, PA)
Mary Pat Friedlander, MD (Pittsburgh, PA)

2015
Nina Ahmad, MD (Orlando, FL)
Melissa Martinez, MD, FAAFP (Albuquerque, NM)

2017
Kimberly Stump, MD, MSc (Salem, OR)
Amra Resic, MD, FAAFP (Palm Harbor, FL)

2019
Madalyn Schaefgen, MD FAAFP (Allentown, PA)
Adora Otiji, MD, MPH (Upper Marlboro, MD)

2021
Anne Schneider, DO (Lombard, IL)
Lisa Doggett, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Austin, TX)

2010
Elizabeth Rosenblum, MD (San Diego, CA)
Paul Hunter MD (Milwaukee, WI)

2012
Jeff Moore, MD (Merrill, WI)
Pamela Rockwell, DO (Ann Arbor, MI)

2014
Jennifer Hamilton, MD, PhD (Pittsburg, PA)
Robin O'Meara, MD (Grand Rapids, MI)

2016
David Cope, MD (Bountiful, UT)
John Merrill-Steskal, MD (Ellensburg, WA)

2018
Laura Morris, MD, FAAFP (Columbia, MO)
Mina Khan, MD (Oneonta, AL)

2020
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP (Spokane, WA)
Eugene Schiff, MD, MPH (Bronx, NY)
Michele Zawora, MD, FAAFP (North Wales, PA)

2022
Carlos O’Bryan-Becerra, MD, FAAFP (Ventura, CA)
James Bigham, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Madison, WI)

The AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship Program is funded by an unrestricted grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.