Abassador Program

What is the NHSC Ambassador Program?

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Ambassador Program is a membership organization comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers on campuses and in communities across the Nation. These volunteers, or “Ambassadors,” work in partnership with the NHSC to improve the health of the Nation’s underserved. Ambassadors self-identify as either Campus-based, Community-based, or both. Together, these Ambassadors provide a “Continuum of Support” for students and clinicians who are dedicated to providing uncompromised healthcare services to areas across the country that lack an adequate number of healthcare providers.

The common denominator of the Ambassadors, whether Campus or Community-based, is that they are passionate about promoting primary care careers in service to the underserved and understand what it takes to both enter into this field and to sustain a career in it. The efforts of this coalition of volunteers are invaluable to the NHSC mission of improving the health of the Nation’s underserved.

What Does a National Health Service Corps Ambassador Do?

NHSC Ambassadors blend their current professional responsibilities and passions with the Ambassador activities, focusing on the following four areas:

• Recruitment/Retention
• Preparation/Training
• Mentoring
• Advocacy

Recruit and retain students and clinicians to work in underserved communities -
Ambassadors are themselves committed to helping underserved communities; thus, they are in a position to discuss the rewards and challenges of such a career path with others.

Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• Link students and clinicians with volunteer and employment opportunities that match their career interest, such as the NHSC SEARCH program, the NHSC Job Opportunities List or other non-NHSC programs to serve the underserved.
• Hold a brown bag informational meeting to advise students and clinicians on how to enter and sustain their career in service to the underserved.

Prepare and train students and clinicians to work in health professional shortage areas - Ambassadors can bring students and clinicians who are interested in primary care together to foster discussion, share resources, and arrange training opportunities.

Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• Assist in linking students and clinicians to clinical rotations in underserved areas so that they can obtain first-hand experience.
• Facilitate and/or provide opportunities for students to shadow healthcare professionals.

Mentor students and clinicians who desire to provide service to the underserved -
Ambassadors can use their experience and knowledge of working in underserved communities to advise and support students and clinicians who have a desire to work in such areas.

Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• One-on-one counseling with clinicians, students and NHSC Scholars on various topics, such as how to sustain interest and commitment to serving the underserved
• Serve as a resource to a NHSC clinician in the field who may have clinical and/or community related questions

Advocate for improving the health of the Nation’s underserved -
As leaders in Primary Care, Ambassadors can champion the need for primary care in underserved communities and highlight the importance of this career track either on campus or in the community.

Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• Serve as speakers at NHSC events and meetings
• Educate the local community and/or campus about service to the underserved and promote the concept of “Healthier Communities”
• Participate in National Primary Care Week activities

Who are National Health Service Corps Ambassadors?

Primary Care Health Professions Faculty

• Allopathic and Osteopathic Physicians (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry)
• Nurses (Nurse practitioners and Certified Nurse-Midwives)
• Physician Assistants
• Dentists and Dental Hygienists
• Behavioral and Mental Health Providers (Health Science Clinical or Counseling Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychiatric Nurse Specialists, Licensed Professional Counselors)

Community-Based Professionals

• National Health Service Corps Clinicians, Alumni and Administrators
• Clinicians
• Educators
• Others who work in public health, health care policy

How Ambassadors Benefit

• Become members of a Federal program.
• Have access to data pertaining to the Ambassador Program and its affiliates.
• Have direct access to information and technical assistance from other Health Resources and Services Administration programs.
• Attend annual conferences with Ambassadors from across the Nation.
• Participate in learning sessions and training available to Ambassadors through the National Health Service Corps.
• Become partners with the NHSC and other national, state and private organizations.
• Have opportunities to author materials and training manuals for future Ambassadors.
• Become change agents who will achieve results -- an increase in the number of students, clinicians, residents and communities that become involved in improving primary health care and increasing access to services in underserved areas.

What are the Benefits of Becoming a National Health Service Corps Ambassador?

As an NHSC Ambassador you will join a network of professionals that share your commitment to improving the health of the underserved. The NHSC will assist you with a monthly newsletter, a Web site with tips and tools, an opportunity to attend a national conference, and the ability to order NHSC promotional materials and supplies. In addition, NHSC Ambassadors are often contacted by the NHSC to participate in NHSC meetings and events where issues around service to the underserved are being discussed.

How Do You Become a National Health Service Corps Ambassador?

To join the Ambassador Program, register here!

After your registration has been reviewed and approved, you will be notified via email. Once approved, it is important for all Ambassadors to stay in touch with the NHSC. Ambassadors should keep their contact information updated online so that the NHSC can make sure Ambassadors receive newsletters, invitations and other Ambassador-related materials and updates.

For more information about this program, please contact:

Natalie Brown, MPH
Shortage Designations and National Health Service Corps Program Director
Indiana Primary Health Care Association
1006 E. Washington Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis , IN 46202
Ph: (317) 630-0845 / Fax: (317) 630-0849
nbrown@indianapca.org