Health Policy Ambassadors

Current Cohort

Overview

The mission of the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy is to connect and support those seeking to improve health outcomes through policy. We understand that there are several aspects of the policy change process. We also acknowledge that there are several organizations around Birmingham already engaged in this process. In an effort to support both community-based organizations and UAB students interested in policy advocacy, we have developed the Health Policy Ambassadors program.

Health Policy Ambassadors (HPAs) work with community partners throughout the course of an academic year. HPAs work alongside their community partner to address a policy-related issue. The ultimate goal is to provide students with real-world policy advocacy experience while also supporting our partners’ goals and objectives.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open! Join an interest meeting to learn more about the program and how you can put your best foot forward in your application! We will host a virtual interest meeting on Monday, April 14, at 5:00pm (register here) and an in-person interest meeting on Wednesday, April 16, at 3:00pm (click here for more info). 

Find out more about the program below!

Timeline

Apply

  1. Apply online! Applications for the 2025-26 academic year are are open! 
    Required: Resume, Writing Sample, Reference (see form below for details)
  2. Applications close May 2. Interviews with finalists will take place in early June.
  3. Decision Date: July 1

Questions and concerns may be directed to lhc@uab.edu.

Application Form

Fall Semester

  • HPAs spend their first meetings learning about their partner’s policy priorities, discussing relevant background information, and getting to know their partner.
  • Together with their partner, HPAs will develop a policy engagement plan and any related materials.
  • By Fall Break, HPAs will have started to implement their policy engagement plan.

Spring Semester

  • HPAs will start the spring semester reviewing the progress on their plan and related materials, and adjust as needed.
  • Throughout the spring semester, HPAs will complete their policy engagement plan and work with their partner to identify additional policy priorities for subsequent activities.
  • At the end of the semester, HPAs will share their experience by presenting at an official LHC event (details TBD)

Expectations

Health Policy Ambassadors will:

1

Commit to weekly meetings (1 hour each week) AND devote time to work on their project outside of these meetings (1-5 additional hours, depending on project status).

2

Communicate effectively and work efficiently in a virtual setting. Students in the program need to be self-starters who can work with their team outside of the scheduled meetings.

3

Work with their partner to:

  • Develop a Policy Brief, Memorandum, Literature Review, or other related document, as advised by community partner.
  • Advocate/Organize for their issue with letter-writing campaigns, social media, canvassing, etc., as advised by community partner.
  • Meet with appropriate decision-makers to address the issue.

4

Represent the LHC, community partners, and UAB in a positive and engaging manner.

Benefits

Students
  • $400 scholarship for the fall and spring semesters ($800 total)
  • Connections with community partners and UAB staff
  • Real-world experience engaging with policy advocacy
  • Publication of policy brief (or equivalent) and blog piece (if applicable) to the LHC website
Community Partners
  • Expanded capacity for advocacy
  • Connections with students
  • Increased visibility as a partner of the LHC
  • Support for advocacy initiatives
Lister Hill Center
  • Fulfilling our mission by connecting our partners with amazing students!

Past Projects

Cohort 1: 2020-2021

In the program’s pilot year, HPAs worked with GASP to develop an advocacy plan to address environmental injustice in the North Birmingham community. Click here to learn about their project!

Cohort 2: 2021-2022

In our second year, we expanded to four teams! Students worked with their partners to interact with state and municipal entities, improve conditions for long-term care patients, and assess nursing student outcomes. Learn about Cohort 2 projects here!

Cohort 3: 2022-2023

The third year saw more direct engagement with the City of Birmingham and greater engagement with healthcare-specific policy. Click here to learn about Cohort 3’s projects!

Cohort 4: 2023-2024

Students in this group engaged with non-governmental as well as governmental policymakers. Click here for details!

’24-’25 Community Partners