Bringing Knowledge Home
Many fellows return home from their time in Washington feeling inspired. During theprogram, they applied their practical experience in healthcare to the world of policy. Afterthefellowship, many reverse course, applying their newly acquired policy expertise to theworld of healthcare. Whether implementing programs on a large or small scale, theoutcomes of their post-fellowship effortscontinueto improve the health of the nation,carrying forward the momentum of their work on Capitol Hill.
Implementing New Programs
After completing the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship, fellows often returned home energized and ready to build on their experience by sharing what they learned with their communities. Inspired by their work on Capitol Hill, several alumni used their new found expertise to launch programs, combining their passion for health care policy with helping their communities.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Enacting State-Level Legislation
With a clearer understanding of how laws are made and how to work with lawmakers, fellows are well – equipped to help draft, advocate for, and guide legislation that addresses pressing health issues in their communities. They draw on the relationships and insights gained during the fellowship to build coalitions, navigate political processes, and ma ke the case for policies that improve health and equity.
Karen Domino was a health policy fellow from 2012-2013 where she served on the House Committee on Ways and Means (Minority). She is a board-certified anesthesiologist, and Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine as well as adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington, Seattle. She is also a senior examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology and former president of the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesia and Critical Care.
Following her fellowship, Domino wanted to continue practicing medicine but also branch into policy work, hoping to alleviate problems in healthcare closer to the source. Equipped with a better understanding of health policy and a desire to continue working in medicine, Domino was appointed to chair multiple state-level positions, including Chair of the State Medical Board of the State of Washington. She notes that her experience on the House Committee on Ways and Means was very similar to the work she was doing at the state level with regards to the "legal aspect of things." She also notes that the fellowship had an "incredible impact" on her career and taught her how to "bridge differences in opinion" by listening and adapting to find agreement, "which is not easy to do."
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Developing Health Policy Programs Within Their Universities
Many fellows come from an academic background and return to their universities eager tobring a new level of policy insight to their work. Drawing on the skills and networks theybuilt during the fellowship, they inspire students and transform how health policy is beingtaught. In doing so, they extend their impact bypreparingthe next generation of healthprofessionals to shape policy andimprove the nation’shealth.
Make a new video aboutthis with Angie Perone, Brenda Baker, Jay Himmelstein, andSharron Crowder talking about how they changed their teaching
Jay Himmelstein served as a health policy fellow on the health staff of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) from 1991-1992. He is a Professor and Chief Health Policy Strategist at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, where he holds positions in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Family Medicine and Community Health, and Internal Medicine. He has participated in numerous state and national health reform initiatives focusing on increased access and improving the quality and range of services offered to populations with disabilities. He has also been an expert consultant to the Social Security Administration and the Institute of Medicine.
Following his Fellowship, he returned to the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and began teaching political competency to medical students. His Fellowship gave him the confidence to speak up as an expert and taught him the importance of compromise. It inspired him to focus on the intersection of health policy and politics. He teaches university students how the political system works and how to be a more effective advocate for the needs of others within the healthcare system.
Throughout his career, Himmelstein has focused on improving healthcare and health outcomes for the public sector, with a special emphasis on Medicaid programs and health services for people with disabilities. He has over 30 years of experience as a health policy advisor and strategist at both the state and national levels. His academic and professional achievements include publishing over 100 peer-reviewed articles and technical reports and serving as the principal investigator for more than 40 grants. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and is board-certified in internal medicine and occupational and environmental health/preventive medicine.
Karen Domino was a health policy fellow from 2012-2013 where she served on the House Committee on Ways and Means (Minority). She is a board-certified anesthesiologist, and Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine as well as adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington, Seattle. She is also a senior examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology and former president of the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesia and Critical Care.
Following her fellowship, Domino wanted to continue practicing medicine but also branch into policy work, hoping to alleviate problems in healthcare closer to the source. Equipped with a better understanding of health policy and a desire to continue working in medicine, Domino was appointed to chair multiple state-level positions, including Chair of the State Medical Board of the State of Washington. She notes that her experience on the House Committee on Ways and Means was very similar to the work she was doing at the state level with regards to the "legal aspect of things." She also notes that the fellowship had an "incredible impact" on her career and taught her how to "bridge differences in opinion" by listening and adapting to find agreement, "which is not easy to do."
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Becoming Leaders and Focusing on the Nation’s Health
Armed with a deep understanding of how policy s hapes systems, fellows work to influence decisions that affect communities across the country. They draw on their fellowship experience to unite diverse stakeholders, champion evidence – based solutions, and push for changes that address both immediate needs and long – term challenges. By leading with both expertise and conviction, these fellows help drive national efforts that promote health, equity, and lasting change.
David Banta was a health policy fellow from 1974-1975, serving as the minority counsel for the Health Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare under Senator Jacob Javits (R-NY). Before his fellowship, he was on the faculty of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Following his time as a fellow, Banta joined the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) and became a pivotal figure in the field of Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a systematic, multidisciplinary process for evaluating health technologies to inform decision-making in healthcare, ensuring technologies are safe, effective, and offer good value for money. In 1985, he moved to the Netherlands to join the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, where he helped establish the first HTA programs outside of North America and played a key role in the formation of the European network. Banta's work focused on improving health services by evaluating the social, ethical, and economic implications of medical technologies.
In addition to his HTA work, Banta was a consultant for many international health organizations, including the WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and served on the editorial board of several journals, including the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care. His work was instrumental in bringing HTA from the fringes of health policy into mainstream practice worldwide. He authored numerous publications and was a highly respected educator and mentor, guiding a new generation of policymakers in understanding the complexities of health systems. His legacy is his tireless effort to ensure that healthcare decisions are based on sound evidence and a thorough understanding of their societal impact.
Karen Domino was a health policy fellow from 2012-2013 where she served on the House Committee on Ways and Means (Minority). She is a board-certified anesthesiologist, and Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine as well as adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington, Seattle. She is also a senior examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology and former president of the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesia and Critical Care.
Following her fellowship, Domino wanted to continue practicing medicine but also branch into policy work, hoping to alleviate problems in healthcare closer to the source. Equipped with a better understanding of health policy and a desire to continue working in medicine, Domino was appointed to chair multiple state-level positions, including Chair of the State Medical Board of the State of Washington. She notes that her experience on the House Committee on Ways and Means was very similar to the work she was doing at the state level with regards to the "legal aspect of things." She also notes that the fellowship had an "incredible impact" on her career and taught her how to "bridge differences in opinion" by listening and adapting to find agreement, "which is not easy to do."
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
Burt Edelstein is a Professor Emeritus of Dental Medicine in Pediatric Dentistry and Health Policy & Management at Columbia University, and has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of socially disadvantaged children. He served as a Health Policy Fellow from 1996-1997 in the office of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD).
Following his fellowship, Edelstein became a leading advocate for children's oral health. He co-founded the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), a nonprofit dedicated to securing dental coverage for children in underserved communities, and he was instrumental in securing mandatory dental benefits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark achievement that has expanded access to care for millions of children.
His work continues beyond policy advocacy to the development of innovative public health programs including the "MySmileBuddy" program and the "WeSmile" program. The former is a technology-based initiative designed to prevent and manage pediatric dental disease. The latter provides support for caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and further showcases his commitment to improving oral health for vulnerable populations. His commitment to public health shows how the experience gained during the fellowship can translate into tangible, widespread social change.
POTOMAC FEVER
Some fellows catch a case of “ Potomac fever, ” and “ home ” becomes Washington, D.C. They may stay on with the office where they completed their fellowship, or work at the Department of Health and Human Services, Nation al Institutes of Health, private companies or foundations.
