Georgetown University Medical Center

Social Justice and Advocacy

Section: 4th Year Elective Catalog

Fourth Year Advocacy Elective: 4105-503

Instructor: Eileen Moore, MD

Contact: Office of Medical Education

Phone: (202) 687-1004

Location: Washington, D.C. area

Duration: Four Week Elective

Max Number of Students: Six per block

Description: This is an elective externship based at either an issue-based advocacy organization in the greater Washington, D.C. area or with the office of an elective official actively engaged in health and social policy legislation.  A listing of available placement sites is kept with the Office of Medical Education; alternative sites may be possible with permission from the course director.  The objective of this elective is to expose the student to the process of issue advocacy from either a legislator or advocacy organization's perspective.  The student is expected to work with designate staff at the organization on a specific issue that is relevant to their interests.  Specific duties may include conducting background research, meeting with constituencies and key stakeholders, developing and/or implementing a communcations strategy, and drafting a report, analysis, or model legislation.  The GU curriculum specific to this elective consists of three 1 hour sessions (at the begining of the rotation, midway, and at the end) to orient the student to different aspects of physician advocacy, discuss nuances of different advocacy and lobbying approaches, and to review the elective experience.  Students are also required to submit a 3 - 5 page report at the end of the rotation.  Eligible students must have completed the MS I,II Health Rights course or have completed equivilent advocacy coursework.  Adequacy of course preparation will be subject to the discretion of the course director. **This elective is NOT available to visiting students.