HLC Fellowship Program
The HLC Fellowship Program is a structured, immersive professional development experience designed to prepare emerging healthcare leaders for careers in policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and healthcare leadership. Through hands-on experience, strategic mentorship, and exposure to leaders across the healthcare ecosystem, fellows develop the skills, relationships, and knowledge needed to make meaningful contributions to the future of healthcare.
Gaining Meaningful Policy and Advocacy Experience
Fellows are fully integrated members of the HLC Policy & Advocacy team and gain exposure to every sector represented within HLC’s diverse membership. The fellowship combines substantive policy work, executive engagement, communications experience, and professional networking opportunities to provide a comprehensive understanding of healthcare policy and leadership.
Throughout the program, fellows contribute directly to HLC priorities, including:
- Research and policy analysis
- Drafting letters of support, requests for information (RFIs), policy briefs, and coalition materials
- Supporting policy updates and legislative tracking
- Assisting with HLC publications, website content, and member communications
- Participating in congressional, administration, and stakeholder meetings
- Supporting HLC membership meetings, executive meetings, and staff-level programming
Writing and policy development serve as core components of the experience, reflecting some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the fellowship.
Ensuring a Consistent and Meaningful Experience
Planned Onboarding
A formal onboarding program introduces fellows to HLC’s mission, membership, policy priorities, organizational structure, and expectations.
Defined Fellowship Term
The program operates with clearly established start and end dates, allowing fellows and mentors to set goals, track progress, and plan for future career opportunities.
Professional Development Curriculum
Fellows participate in a structured curriculum that includes:
- HLC writing style and tone training
- Leadership development programming
- Healthcare policy and advocacy education
- Professional communications and stakeholder engagement training
- Career planning and transition support
Policy and Advocacy Immersion
Because participation on the Policy Team is vital to the fellowship experience, fellows are actively involved in policy discussions, coalition work, and advocacy initiatives.
Applications for the 2026 Fellowship Program are open!
Please note the below timelines for program applications:
Application submission:
August 1 – August 30
Selection and notification:
September 1 – 14
Connecting Today's Healthcare Leaders with Tomorrow's Policymakers
Fellows are visible participants within the HLC community and are expected to engage directly with members throughout the year. To ensure broad exposure, fellows participate in all three annual HLC membership meetings and other key HLC convenings whenever possible.
Members have consistently expressed interest in engaging with fellows and value the opportunity to mentor future healthcare leaders. HLC will facilitate meetings with at least two HLC members for each fellow during their fellowship term.
Providing Valuable Career Counsel
Dual-Layer Mentorship
Each fellow is paired with:
- A senior executive mentor who provides strategic career guidance, leadership insights, and industry perspective.
- A peer mentor who offers day-to-day operational support, organizational knowledge, and professional development coaching.
Career Planning and Transition Support
The fellowship includes intentional guidance around professional growth, next steps, networking, and career placement opportunities.
Creating Meaningful Relationships Across Healthcare and Public Policy
Fellows receive dedicated time each week for external engagement and professional networking, including a half-day on Wednesdays and a half-day on Fridays to participate in industry events, informational interviews, association meetings, or professional development opportunities.
Fellows are encouraged to build relationships across:
- HLC member companies
- Congressional and administration stakeholders
- Healthcare associations and coalitions
- Academic and nonprofit organizations
The fellowship also seeks to establish a broader fellowship ecosystem that connects:
- Current fellows
- Alumni fellows
- Current and former HLC staff
- HLC member executives representing each healthcare sector
Additional engagement opportunities include an annual fellowship breakfast, networking reception, fall gathering, and alumni communications network.
Enabling Intentional Opportunities to Build Professional Profiles
Program activities may include:
- Website profiles and features
- Contributions to HLC publications and policy updates
- Social media and LinkedIn recognition
- Welcome announcements for incoming fellows
- Farewell recognition highlighting fellowship accomplishments and career progression
- Development of a professional “brag sheet” summarizing key contributions and achievements
These efforts help ensure fellows are recognized both within HLC and across the broader healthcare community.
Program Support
Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of $2,500 as well as transportation benefits.
HLC continually evaluates ways to strengthen the fellowship experience, including exploring practical benefits and support services such as transportation assistance and other professional development resources.
Program Goal
Create a premier healthcare leadership fellowship that combines substantive policy experience, executive mentorship, cross-sector exposure, and a lifelong professional network that extends across HLC, its member organizations, alumni fellows, and partner associations.
Please send questions about this program to HLC@HLC.org.
Explore HLC
HLC is the only group in Washington that unites healthcare CEOs and leaders across all sectors to shape policy that strengthens the system and improves care.
