Summary:

The Gutowski Advocacy Fellow is a two-year, paid, full-time advocacy training position based at Akron Children's. The Fellow engages in healthcare-focused government relations and advocacy through research, patient and issue advocacy, policy development and rulemaking, grant support, testimony development, and budget impact analysis. Working with hospital leaders, staff, administrators, advocates, and local, state, and federal officials and staff, the Fellow develops the skills necessary to function as an independent government relations professional focused on advancing healthcare policy for patients and families.

Responsibilities:

1. Participates in a two-year advocacy training experience embedded in a healthcare environment and aligned with Ohio General Assembly and Congressional terms.
2. Research local, state, and federal healthcare policy issues, legislation, budget activity, administrative actions, and appropriations matters that may impact Akron Children's patients, families, and operations.
3. Conducts policy, legislative, financial, and data analysis to support organizational understanding of proposed and adopted policy changes, including provisions within the Ohio State Operating Budget and Ohio State Capital Budget.
4. Drafts, edits, and prepares advocacy materials, including public testimony, policy summaries, issue briefs, presentations, correspondence, and related written materials.
5. Supports development and submission of at least one grant proposal for funding consideration through the Ohio State Capital Budget during the fellowship period.
6. Serves as Akron Children's lead organizer for patient family participation in the annual Children's Hospital Association Family Advocacy Day.
7. Engages hospital staff, administrators, advocates, and subject matter experts to understand operational impact, patient/family impact, and recommended policy positions related to pending legislation or policy activity.
8. Build effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative and administrative staff, external advocacy partners, and internal stakeholders to support healthcare advocacy priorities.
9. Maintains awareness of state operating and capital budget processes and the annual Congressional appropriations process, providing timely updates and analysis as appropriate.
10. Completes a capstone project at the conclusion of the fellowship and presents findings, recommendations, or outcomes to appropriate stakeholders.

Other information:

Technical Expertise

1. Knowledge of healthcare policy, public policy, government relations, legislative processes, budgeting, appropriations, and advocacy principles.
2. Strong research, data analysis, issue analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft testimony, policy materials, grant content, presentations, and executive-level summaries.
4. Ability to collaborate effectively with hospital leaders, staff, administrators, patient/family advocates, public officials, external partners, and community stakeholders.
5. Strong project coordination, organization, follow-through, and attention to detail, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
6. Professional judgment, discretion, and ability to represent Akron Children's Hospital in a professional manner with internal and external audiences.
7. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and related tools used for research, written communication, presentations, and data analysis.

Education and Experience

1. Education: Graduate degree in healthcare, public policy, public administration, government relations, health administration, urban studies, or related field required prior to the scheduled start date.
2. Years of relevant experience: Prior experience in advocacy, legislative affairs, public policy research, healthcare operations, grant writing, government relations, or a related internship/fellowship preferred.

Full Time

FTE: 1.000000

Status: Onsite