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Zachary Ellis, DO, received the honor of being accepted to the American Osteopathic Association’s Training in Policy Studies (TIPS) Program, with further distinction of being named as the inaugural Student Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation (SOMAF) David F. Hitzman, DO, Health Policy Fellow. 

Dr. Ellis is a second-year trainee at the Internal Medicine residency program at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi, and was selected for his leadership skills, related experience, passion for service, and for his interest in public policy and health policy. 

“The SOMAF David F. Hitzeman, DO, Health Policy Fellowship was created in memory of Dr. Hitzeman to honor his life and legacy as a supporter for rural health, and for his health policy efforts for DOs at the national, state, and local levels,” according to the organization. “This Fellowship seat provides a SOMA alum the opportunity to build their health-policy expertise and find solutions to improve quality healthcare access for underserved and/or rural populations.” 

The TIPS program, funded by the AOA, is designed to develop in osteopathic physicians the skills they need to analyze, formulate, and implement health policy on the local, state, and national levels with the purpose of expanding access to affordable, quality health care in the communities. It provides participants with an understanding of current health care policy issues and facilitates leadership opportunities. Sessions over the year-long span will cover topics such as physician payment models, health care reform, social determinants of health, the opioid epidemic and current public health issues. Dr. Ellis and his cohort will gain experience by writing policy briefs and white papers, oral testimony, media training, and more.