Fellowship Information

Goal

To prepare public health professionals for leadership positions in local, state, national, and international public health organizations.

Program Overview

The three-year Public Health Prevention Service program focuses on public health management. This unique program provides hands-on experience and mentorship in public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation. First, fellows work in CDC program areas for a year. They are then placed in a two-year field assignment with a public health organization (e.g., state or local health department, community-based organization, or public health institute or association).

Fellows initially earn a salary equivalent to a GS-9 pay grade with potential advancement to a GS-11 pay grade with geographic adjustments. For more information on pay grades and salary levels, see the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table.

CDC Rotations

In year 1, fellows complete two six-month rotations at a CDC facility. Fellows work in a variety of CDC program areas, such as environmental health, chronic disease prevention, and infectious disease control.

Examples of rotation activities include

• Leadership on policy and legislative activities in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
• Development of case management guidelines for the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
• Evaluation of reproductive health activities for the World Health Organization

Field Assignments

In years 2 and 3, fellows are placed in a two-year field assignment in a public health organization. Fellows receive supervision and mentoring while working on multidisciplinary projects along with public and private partners.

Examples of field assignment activities include

• Development and implementation of HIV/AIDS action plans for global AIDS programs
• Creation of a website for physicians and nurses to increase knowledge, improve reporting, and decrease hospitalizations and deaths from pertussis (i.e., whooping cough)
• Coordination and implementation of a multicultural media campaign to highlight CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening program

Other Opportunities

Fellows also have the opportunity to practice public health in an international setting through programs such as the Global HIV/AIDS and Stop Transmission of Polio programs.