Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research Fellowship Launched

This collaboration supports an innovative fellowship program that will provide the fellow with advanced doctoral research training and the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to contemporary projects.

"As one of the nation’s leading colleges of pharmacy, we take great pride in offering our students and faculty unique opportunities," said Timothy S. Tracy, dean of the college. "This fellowship provides an innovative way for students pursuing graduate training in pharmaceutical outcomes and policy to focus their graduate work on the types of applied research needed within managed care organizations and the pharmaceutical industry."

During the program, the fellow will work closely with faculty from the college’s Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy in Lexington, as well as complete an intensive program of coursework in pharmaceutical policy, pharmaceutical regulation, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmaceutical outcomes, advanced statistical modeling and econometrics.

To complete the POP Ph.D. track in the College of Pharmacy, the fellow is required to pass a qualifying examination, complete research requirements and write an original scholarly dissertation.

Each year, during the fall and spring semesters, the fellow will devote 20 percent of his or her time to pharmaceutical outcomes and policy real-world applications through work with health outcomes researchers at Humana corporate headquarters in Louisville.

The fellow will also participate in a summer experience at Pfizer corporate headquarters in New York, where the fellow will apply didactic and research training to address pharmaceutical policy and outcomes questions within the pharmaceutical industry.

“Humana is excited to be entering into a prestigious collaboration that will leverage the strengths of a manufacturer, academia and health plan to encourage partnership in outcome research,” said Steve Chick, market vice president for Humana.

“This novel cooperative program will provide both rigorous and practical training for students to enter a blossoming and impactful field. Pfizer is pleased to be contributing to this effort,” said Richard Willke, senior director of market access for Pfizer.

The fellowship program is jointly funded by Humana, Pfizer and UK. For the first three years of participation in the fellowship program, the fellow will receive, each year, a stipend of $55,000, health benefits through UK, full tuition and a research fund of $5,000 to cover research expenses that may include books, travel and research support.

Applicants are required to have a Pharm.D. degree and must demonstrate a keen interest in pharmaceutical outcomes and policy. Prior research experience and graduate education are strongly preferred. In addition to applying for graduate study at the University of Kentucky, applicants must submit their curriculum vitae, a letter describing their career goals, a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. The application deadline is Feb. 8.

Applications are accepted online at http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/ProspectiveStudents/Admission.html