Advocacy Fellow Program

To broaden awareness about health policy and exposure to the health care environment, the ACRO Board of Chancellors and supporters of the College have developed an opportunity to introduce residents to health policy at the forefront of cancer care. The ACRO Advocacy Fellow Program will be a year-long program to provide an avenue for residents to gain experience in Radiation Oncology code development and valuation, payment reform, state and federal healthcare policies, and participate in the legislative process with the ACRO Government Relations & Economics Committee (GREC).

This fellowship is an excellent opportunity to understand variations in patient care, resource utilization, and healthcare systems within the United States. The purpose of this fellowship is to broaden a resident’s understanding of the current state of oncology care, provide an immersive experience in health policy initiatives by developing a webinar, policy update and/or ACROinsight newsletter with the ACRO GREC, and shape the future of health policy. At the conclusion of the fellowship, the fellow will have developed a greater understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and levers to influence the practice of Radiation Oncology practice and payment strategies.

Our inaugural ACRO Advocacy Fellows were Drs. Cecil Benitez and Joseph Wilding. They shared abstracts at ACRO 2024 about their experiences. Click here for Dr. Benitez' abstract and click here to see Dr. Wilding's abstract.

Program Details

• One-year fellowship starting in 2024.
• Fellows will attend monthly GREC meetings & ad hoc meetings relative to subject matter.
• Fellows will participate in the ACRO Advocacy Day.
• Fellows may participate in fundraising events hosted by ACRO PAC.
• Fellows will present their advocacy updates as well as an account of their experience at the ACRO Annual Meeting at the conclusion of their Fellowship year. Fellows will be eligible for free registration and a $500 scholarship to assist in attending the Annual Meeting. 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be members of ACRO and in good standing at a U.S. or Canadian radiation oncology residency program.
• Applicants must list a primary mentor for their project.
• All submissions must include: Application Form, Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, Personal Statement, and Letter of Support from Radiation Oncology Program or Fellowship Chair or Program Director.

→  Apply using the form at the bottom of this page  (Deadline to apply is May 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST)

Submissions will be assessed, and advocacy fellows will be awarded by members of the ACRO GREC and Resident Committee with input from the Board of Chancellors as needed.

Please contact Fraser Cobbe, ACRO Executive Director, with any questions or issues.

Description of documentation requirements below:

• Personal Statement - Your personal statement should be no more than one page, documenting your interest int his program and what you hope to accomplish within the year.
• Letter of Support from Project Mentor - Your letter of support can come from your radiation oncology program or fellowship chair or your program director.