Position Summary

Since 1996, VIA has hosted more than 800 aspiring health care professionals from around the world in Silicon Valley and virtually for the EHC Program. Participants learn innovation in health care, meet practitioners representing diverse perspectives, make international friends, and reflect on their personal and professional goals (learn more about VIA’s health care programs).

Our objectives for EHC in Silicon Valley are:

• To design and implement a culturally immersive program with a variety of hands-on learning experiences and site visits
• To explore the intersections of health care and social, cultural issues in the U.S. and other countries
• To deliver an authentic VIA experience for participants that focuses on building community across diverse backgrounds, peer learning, self-reflection, and personal and professional growth

Our Vision for the Global Health Fellows’ Role

VIA aspires to support and enable Global Health Fellows in strengthening their own program planning, facilitation, and peer mentorship skills to support and inspire the next generation of globally competent health care professionals. The Fellows assist in recruiting participants from their home communities, serve as primary contacts for participants, are leaders and mentors during the Exploring Health Care program, and maintain connections with VIA alumni. This position is an opportunity for VIA alumni and other health care and international education professionals to develop recruitment, leadership, training, presentation, and facilitation skills through program planning, orientation, and implementation. They provide support to participants in learning key concepts, and developing a community before, during, and after the program. Fellows also receive training on facilitation skills as well as feedback to help them improve their own training ability.

Responsibilities

• Promotion: Share and promote information with personal and professional networks where potential applicants can be reached. Some examples of outreach may include (but is not limited to) university alumni, current students, co-workers, community organizations, etc.
• Facilitation: Collaborate with other Fellows and VIA staff to design and lead or co-lead energizers, workshops, reflection sessions, and other activities throughout the program.
• Mentorship: Serve as a coach and mentor for participants. Listen with intention, and share insights with the understanding that you are representing VIA’s core values as well as representing your own professional identity and reputation as a fellow.
• Safety & Policy Enforcement: Serve as a role model by following the safety protocols and policies set forth by the Program Director and VIA. Fellows share responsibility in holding participants accountable for their actions; if you see anything harmful to an individual or the group as a whole, you are expected to prioritize the health and safety of individuals and the group over personal relationships with participants.

Time Commitments

Before the Program

• Weekly Zoom meetings with Program Director and other fellows (approx. 60 min) from the start of the fellowship until the week before the in person Fellow Retreat.
• Attend a pre-departure online orientation session for participants.
• Assist with answering questions from participants from your local region regarding travel restrictions, best route of travel, logistical questions that may pertain to a specific country or region (to the best of your ability).
• Attend the in-person training in Silicon Valley, and participate in all activities from morning until evening for the duration. There is no time for outside meetups with friends or colleagues.

During the Program

• Observe participants and collect feedback through discussions and reflection sessions.
• Lead or co-lead energizers, workshops, and small group discussions.
• Provide support for participants; serve as the primary facilitator for your fellow group (5-6 participants per group).
• Act as a bridge between VIA staff and participants.
• Document and post program activities and experiences (photos, videos, social media).
• Participate in daily facilitation team reflection, feedback, and planning sessions.

After the Program

• Participate in EHC program reflection and synthesis with staff.
• Write a personal reflection on your experience as a fellow.
• Strengthen the Fellow role by providing feedback.
• Support the search for next year’s Fellowship cohort.
• Leverage the VIA Alumni Network as you continue your journey as a health care and/or international education professional.

Required Qualifications

In order to be eligible to participate in this program as a fellow, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of the program.
• Be able to travel to and remain on-site for the duration of the program (including on-site training).
• Be eligible to receive travel authorization to enter and remain in the United States for the duration of the program (including the on-site training), if applicable.
• Be able to provide proof of vaccination and/or health status required for entry to the US or re-entry to your home country that is in effect during your dates of travel. It is your responsibility to confirm which health-related regulations may apply to you.
• Be willing to undergo diagnostic tests if experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness considered serious by public health officials or if required for site visits by the host institution. A positive test or inability to meet requirements for a site visit may limit your ability to participate in program activities and/or may necessitate self-isolation during the program.
• Disclose any life-threatening or significant allergies, dietary restrictions, medical conditions or illnesses, and physical limitations as they relate to the program and listed activities.
• Maintain medical insurance coverage and provide proof of insurance to VIA prior to arriving on-site for the program.
• Be committed to attending all activities, both before and during the program, and participating fully.

Preferred Qualifications

A strong fellowship candidate has:

• Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to serve as an effective bridge between program participants and VIA staff during the program.
• Experience with past VIA programs and/or dedication to program goals.
• An interest in training and supporting future health care professionals.
• Strong interest and/or experience working with social issues, preferably in the context of health care.
• Experience or strong interest in designing and facilitating cross-cultural and/or experiential learning programs.
• Experience with digital engagement tools such as Zoom
• Comfortable discussing complex issues in English; willing to promote the use of English during the program (English does not need to be your first language).
• Experience with event planning and promotion, especially through social media.

Location: Pre-program activities will be conducted remotely. The in-person training and program will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area, with site visits in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Perspectives: To learn more about the fellows and program experience, check out our Vital Signs blog.

Fellowship Timeline

• Fellowship Application Period (tentative)
  • March 17 (US Time) | March 18 (Asia Time): Application deadline (if you submit your application before the deadline, you may be invited to an interview earlier).
  • March 27 – April 1 (US Time) | March 28 – April 2  (Asia Time): Online interviews with VIA staff (~30 min on Zoom).
  • April 3 (US Time) | April 4 (Asia Time): Applicants will be notified of results on or after this date.
  • April 9 (US Time) | April 10 (Asia Time): Deadline to accept the position.

• Participant Recruitment & Program Preparation
  • Mid-April: Orientation meeting for team-building and participant recruitment.
  • April-July: Assist with program promotion and participant recruitment.
  • May-June: Assist with program planning and pre-program preparations.

• Program Implementation & Follow-Up
  • Late July: Pre-Program Orientation (online)
  • August 1-3, 2024: Fellows arrive in Silicon Valley for on-site training and final preparations.
  • August 4-16, 2024: Facilitate EHC Program in Silicon Valley.
  • Late August: Post-program reflection and wrap-up.

Benefits

• Funding: Airfare and travel expenses, food, housing, and all other program-related expenses are covered for fellows during the program period.
• Professional Development – VIA supports the Fellows’ professional development and provides mentorship to strengthen their skills in:
  • Presentations
  • Leadership & Mentorship
  • Virtual Training Facilitation
  • Project-based Learning
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Team-Building and Development
  • Critical Analysis and Discussion of Social Issues in Health Care
• Recognition of Achievement – Fellows will receive an official certificate of recognition upon successful completion of the fellowship. We are also happy to provide letters of recommendation based on your performance as a Global Health Fellow.

Finally, Global Health Fellows come away from EHC with lifelong personal and professional connections to VIA’s international network.