Fellowship offers exclusive, hands-on policy experience 
NREMT Associate Director Greg Margolis has accepted a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation fellowship
The NREMT is pleased to announce that Associate Director Gregg Margolis, PhD, NREMT-P has accepted a fellowship with the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowships Program in Washington, D.C., as part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The one-year fellowship will begin in September, 2009.
The Health Policy Fellows is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. According to the Foundation, the Fellowships Program is the nation's most prestigious learning experience that connects health science, policy and politics. The non-partisan fellowship offers exclusive, hands-on policy experience with the most influential congressional and executive offices in the nation's capital.
Dr. Margolis will have the opportunity to work directly with top figures in federal health policy. According to the Foundation, Dr. Margolis will gain an insider's perspective of the political process, develop unmatched leadership skills, and build a professional network that will last a lifetime. "It is a great honor to have been selected for such a prestigious fellowship," Dr. Margolis said.
The fellowship opportunity is of particular importance to the EMS community since this is the first time an EMS professional has participated in the program. "While I am personally excited, this represents success for the entire EMS profession," Dr. Margolis said. "EMS is profoundly affected by federal health policy and we have been largely absent from the process. Through this opportunity I hope to learn how we, as a community, can become an effective participant in the National healthcare policy and reform conversations."
Commenting on the opportunity, NREMT Chairman of the Board Jimm Murray said, "I am simply thrilled that Gregg has this wonderful honor bestowed upon him. He is a true talent, happens to come from an EMS background which makes all of us look good, and he will provide true service to the noble functions that the RWJ Foundation represents."
NREMT Executive Director William E.Brown, Jr. expressed his thoughts by saying, "We are very excited about this opportunity for Dr. Margolis to serve the nation's citizens in this capacity. EMS will have a paramedic expert working within the federal decision-making process as our nation transitions its health care system." Mr. Brown addressed the adjustments the NREMT will make with the year-long absence of Dr. Margolis. "During his year of absence," Mr. Brown explained, "the NREMT will make staffing adjustments to assure smooth workflow. We consider our one-year loss of his talent at the NREMT to be for the greater good for Gregg, our profession and EMS."
