Up to 1,000 Fellows to Be Trained by Cornell University and Deployed for Public Health Operations
Corps Enhances Workforce Capacity that Lasts Beyond COVID-19 Pandemic, as Outlined in the 2021 State of the State
Rolling Applications Can Be Submitted Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that applications are now open for the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, a first-in-the-nation program that will assist with immediate COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts and strengthen local and statewide workforce capacities required to respond to future public health emergencies. This program will provide up to 1,000 full-time, paid positions with placements at the New York State Department of Health, local health departments except for New York City, or other public health partners throughout the state. Fellows will complete online coursework and receive a Public Health Essentials Certificate from Cornell University, as outlined in the Governor’s 2021 State of the State Address.
«The COVID pandemic ambushed New York and upended our lives, and one of the greatest lessons we’ve learned is that we need to act now and be prepared for the next public health crisis,» Governor Cuomo said. «We are teaming up with Cornell University to train and educate the next generation of public health professionals, who will be ready to hit the ground running and help their communities if and when another public health emergency hits. I encourage everyone who is interested to apply for this first-in-the-nation program and become a part New York’s emergency public health and preparedness efforts.»
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, «I applaud Governor Cuomo’s efforts to create this unique, forward-thinking public health program that will greatly benefit all New Yorkers. This is an exciting opportunity to build upon the knowledge and expertise of the State’s public health workforce and the health care community to enhance our current COVID-19 response capabilities, engage New Yorkers who have shared our experience fighting this pandemic over the past year, support the return to essential routine public health activities and cultivate a new generation of public health professionals.»
Fellows selected for the program will include recent graduates and students advanced in their graduate public health studies; individuals from nursing, medical, dentistry, pharmaceutical and allied health programs; retired medical professionals; emergency preparedness and other New Yorkers who will receive an intensive public health training curriculum developed by Cornell University. Once selected for the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, fellows will complete Cornell University’s Public Health Essentials Certificate Program, offered by the Master of Public Health Program. The program will assist in New York’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination and response operations and establish an emergency response public health capacity that lasts beyond the current pandemic. Individuals are encouraged to apply here.
Cornell University President Dr. Martha Pollack said, «The Public Health Corps presents an excellent opportunity to share Cornell University’s educational resources in a way that benefits fellows in the New York State Public Health Corps. Cornell University is proud to partner with New York State to train up to 1,000 fellows so that they are ready to serve their local communities in this current and future public health emergencies.»
New York State Association of County Health Officials Immediate Past President Dr. Kevin Watkins said, «Bringing local health departments aboard this new program creates a cohesiveness that will support our current COVID-19 response and build the workforce needed to address future public health challenges. I applaud Governor Cuomo for building the New York State Public Health Corps to deploy much-needed public health workforce across the state.»
State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras said, «The SUNY System will be an active partner in launching the Public Health Corps—a first-of-its-kind program that will help New York put an end to COVID-19 while better preparing us for the next pandemic. Over the last 15 months, members of the SUNY community—particularly our students—have showcased a great hunger to serve their communities and play a pivotal role in the public health response. The Public Health Corps is a great opportunity for those students and recent graduates to further pursue their service interests while providing a crucial, additional response layer for future public health emergencies.»
Visit www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-public-health-corps for more information and to apply for the New York State Public Health Corps.