Advocacy & Public Policy Leadership Program (APPL)

Join the 2027 APPL Cohort!

Applications are still being accepted for the 2027 APPL cohort. Contact Amy Schnappinger for the application link and more information.

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About APPL

The Association of Academic Physiatrists’ is happy to announce its new Advocacy & Public Policy Leadership (APPL) program. It will provide the opportunity for Physiatrists to develop their skills as Health Policy leaders with a combination of education, legislative training, and mentoring to propel them to success as Health Policy advocates.

Led by Chloe Slocum, MD, MPH, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and Greg Worsowicz, MD, MBA, Mayo Clinic, APPL will provide background knowledge and experiences in legislative and regulatory policy to Physiatric academic faculty. The program is intended for mid-career faculty looking to expand or begin their efforts to become a physician advocate. The three-year program will have a limited number of participants to provide maximum interaction with course instructors.

Have questions? Learn more about the program here or email Amy Schnappinger at aschnappinger@physiatry.org.

APPL Cohorts

2025 Class

Derrick Allred, MD; University of Utah Health
Nethra Ankam, MD; Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Haris Choudry, MD, MPH; Burke Rehabilitation Institute
Clinton Faulk, MD; East Carolina Brody School of Medicine
Bradford Landry, DO; Northwell Health
Chrissa McClellan, MD, MPT; University of Missouri School of Medicine

2026 Class

Sharon David, MD; Mayo Clinic
Kelly Heath, MD; University of Pennsylvania
Max Hurwitz, DO; University of Pittsburgh
Terrence Pugh, MD; Carolinas Rehabilitation
Sara Salim, MD; University of Rochester

Program Structure

APPL participants will attend a one-day pre-conference, plus the full AAP Annual Meeting including relevant advocacy sessions, during three consecutive years (Late February). The group will also join the AAP Hill visits in Washington, DC (Scheduled for Fall) once during their time in the program. Participants will plan and complete a Health Advocacy project based on the topic presented at the AAP meeting. A presentation of the project will be due for the following year's meeting.

APPL is organized around one of three "themes” each year and will explore topics related to those themes:

Legislative

Administration & Regulatory

Patient Impact

Costs & Prerequisites

APPL Costs

APPL is a tuition-based program with a fee schedule of $1,200 per year ($3,600 for three years). Fees include a one-day preconference AND registration to the AAP Annual Meeting, plus a visit to Washington, DC (in the Fall) to participate in Hill Visits and more. Participants will need to cover the cost of airfare and hotel accommodations for the AAP Annual Meeting. Below is a breakdown of what's covered in your tuition:

Registration to the APPL workshop, a pre-conference at the AAP's Annual Meeting each year including speakers, materials, and networking events ($400 per year. $500 per year without AAP Annual Meeting registration)
Registration to the AAP's Annual Meeting each year including plenary sessions, materials, and networking events ($795 for physicians)
Access to mentors throughout the program's duration to help with projects and other health advocacy questions and challenges
Online and virtual experiences (1 - 2) with peer groups and PAL mentors
Participation in the AAP’s in-person Capitol Hill visits during the Legislative year ($1000 to include travel, hotel, and meals)

Prerequisites To Apply

Candidates for the program must:

Be an active member of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP).
Be full-time faculty members at an Instructor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor level
Have a minimum of 5 years experience post-residency/ fellowship at the time of application
Have demonstrated the desire and ability to assume an advocacy and public policy leadership role in their department, institution, or the specialty of physiatry
Attend the APPL course during each of three consecutive AAP Annual Meetings
Plan and complete a Health Advocacy Project on the topic presented at the AAP meeting. A presentation of the project will be due for the following year's meeting.

Application Submission Materials

Candidates must be nominated by their PM&R academic department, division chair or chair equivalent. If the institution has no PM&R department or division, then a nomination can also come from a member of the AAP Board of Trustees or AAP Committee Chair in addition to their current Chair (non-PM&R). The nomination letter (1-2 pages) should discuss the candidate’s past achievements, current public policy and academic activities, and potential as a health policy advocate. Applications will not be considered without this nomination letter.
Candidate's current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A 500-word personal statement confirming the candidate’s public policy and academic career goals and desire to participate in this program