FAQs

What are the fellowship requirements?

Eligible physicians must have graduated from an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency; be board certified or board eligible in internal medicine (or one of its subspecialties), family practice, gynecology, psychiatry, or surgery; and have an active, unrestricted U.S. medical license. They must desire to lead women Veterans’ healthcare in the 21st century. International medical graduates must also have a current visa to participate in the program and an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate that is valid indefinitely. Applicants with a J-1 visa must have current ECFMG sponsorship to participate in the program.

Eligible associated health professionals must be a US citizen, demonstrate interest in pursuing a VA career with women’s health as a significant focus, be qualified in a health profession relevant to the health of women Veterans (nurses, psychologists, and others), not be simultaneously enrolled an accredited clinical training program, demonstrate an interest in pursuing VA career with women’s health as a significant focus and meet the education and licensure requirements listed in the program announcement.

 

How do I apply?

Interested candidates should fill out the online Screening Application.

 

I’ve filled out the online Screening Application. What are the next steps?

If you meet the requirements, you will be contacted by the National Coordinating Center (NCC) to schedule a video or phone call to discuss your qualifications, interests, and potential sites. During the call, the NCC Director will determine which site(s) would be the best fit, given site capabilities and the applicant’s research and educational interests. The Director will then send your information to the individual site(s) and the Site Directors will directly contact the applicants for additional application steps, specific to each site.

 

Why was the fellowship formed?

In 1994, the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) started VA’s Advanced Fellowships Program in Health Issues of Women Veterans. There was a growing awareness of the complex health needs of women veterans and the importance of training physicians for academic careers in this specialized field. After a competitive review, OAA selected host fellowship sites based on the medical facility’s ability to provide the needed population of women veterans, the strength of its academic program, its ability to provide expert research mentoring, and its commitment to leadership in women veterans health issues.