1. Why was the CHESA Perioperative Health Equity Fellowship program created? To recruit and train emerging and future leaders in global surgery, anesthesia and nursing who use research, education, and advocacy to improve equity in perioperative care and drive patient-level impact. The program was developed with inputs from CHESA faculty leadership and partners. It is based on a record of success. The program model is the result of learnings from more than 15 years of UCSF experience with the Global Partners in Anesthesia and Surgery program in Uganda, which was created and led by CHESA leadership before CHESA launched in 2020. Over the last 10 years, we have supported 34 scholars, 42 years of faculty time, and achieved 95% in-country retention. Over 55% of scholars are women who have advanced to senior leadership roles in the public and private sectors. This collaborative effort produced the country’s first female cardiothoracic surgeon; 8 pediatric surgeons, including the first pediatric oncologic surgeon; and the first two pediatric anesthesiologists.
2. What is required of a CHESA Fellow? This is an 18-month fellowship. There are virtual one-hour education sessions twice per month with fellows and CHESA faculty. These seminars feature guest speakers, career building and mentorship workshops, project development workshops, work-in-progress presentations, and community building. Fellows are required to complete a health equity project, with support from a UCSF / CHESA faculty mentor. Fellows are expected to check-in with their mentors at least once per month to discuss career development and project progress. Fellows meet monthly with their community pods for peer consulting and community building within their speciality and/or geography. There is an additional time commitment for self-directed learning to complete the global health equity curriculum including program readings and videos. The program hosts an in-person CHESA Fellows Retreat once per cohort. Attendance and participation for both in-person and online curriculum and virtual meetings is required for successful completion of the program.
3. What types of projects have fellows undertaken during their fellowship? CHESA supports fellows to undertake groundbreaking initiatives to improve training, access and/or quality of surgical care in their communities. Examples of projects:
4. What does it mean to be a member of the CHESA Fellow community? Fellows are members of CHESA and have continued access, engagement and collaboration with mentors, peers, and CHESA partners and affiliates beyond the completion of the program – joining a global network of leaders committed to addressing perioperative health disparities in their communities. Fellows are invited to participate in CHESA working groups, meetings, seminars and conferences, as well as collaborate with other fellows on projects and may apply for CHESA seed award and professional development support opportunities open to all members.
5. Does the fellowship include a stipend? Is there a fee to participate in the program? CHESA fellows do not receive a stipend and are expected to continue with ongoing employment, education and clinical service throughout the fellowship so that learnings from participating in the program are applied in their work. We do not charge a fee to participate in the program. We offer limited project funding and professional development support for eligible fellows from and based in LMICs for the duration of their fellowship. Travel expenses related to participation in any in-person convenings will be covered by CHESA by those who require support.
6. Do I have to move to San Francisco, California to be a CHESA fellow? No. The fellowship is a remote opportunity.
7. Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to apply to this fellowship? The CHESA Fellowship is open to applicants worldwide, including non-US citizens.
8. Is the CHESA Fellowship available to non-UCSF trainees? Yes! Individuals who have completed or are enrolled in a health professional training program and are committed to developing a career focused on health equity in the perioperative space.
9. Are there minimum educational or degree requirements? Applicants should have completed or are enrolled in a health professional training program. For most selected fellows, this means having completed or current enrollment in post-graduate training (ex. residency). For nurse and APP applicants, we recommend at least 2 years of experience caring for surgical patients during surgery or post operatively and BSN or Bachelor’s degree. We require English language proficiency to participate in the program. Additional criteria apply by specialty if an applicant is also seeking clinical appointment at UCSF while participating in the CHESA Fellowship. Only available for Urology, OHNS and Anesthesia applicants who have completed specialty training and are eligible for a California Medical License. Click these links for full eligibility criteria and more information.
10. Do I need to have completed residency training to apply?No. You may apply for the CHESA Fellowship during your residency (e.g. during dedicated research years) or before residency. A prerequisite is that fellows have adequate time per week to devote to the fellowship curriculum and their health equity project (usually ~1 day per week).
11. Can I apply if I am a medical student? Medical students are not eligible for the fellowship.
12. How many fellows are accepted each year? It varies by year. The CHESA Fellowship accepts up to 25 fellows per year.
13. What happens if my project does not end within the duration of the fellowship? If your project is not completed within the 18-month fellowship period, we can work with you and your mentors to explore an extension. We understand that challenges may arise and ask that you keep us informed throughout the process so we can support you appropriately.
14. How soon can I hear back from about my admissions status? Applicants will be notified of their admissions status by December 15, 2025.
15. Can I apply for seed funding towards my project? Yes. Seed funding is available only to fellows who are from and based in LMICs for the duration of their fellowship.
16. Does the CHESA Fellowship provide clinical training? The fellowship is designed for flexibility and is primarily remote, accommodating those who are currently practicing clinicians and in training. While most fellows participate virtually, limited in-person or hybrid clinical opportunities may be available at UCSF for those who meet California medical licensing requirements. These opportunities are currently offered in partnership with UCSF’s Departments of Anesthesia, Otolaryngology, and Urology. Click the links to learn more. We may offer targeted support for select fellows to pursue local or regional clinical training in their home countries. These opportunities are contingent on multiple factors including budget availability, institutional partnerships, fellow availability, and alignment with the goals of the fellowship.
17. Do I need to find a mentor before submitting my application? Yes. All applicants must identify at least one mentor before applying. We strongly recommend having both a local mentor and CHESA-affiliated mentor. To help you get started, please review the CHESA Fellowship Potential Mentors and Projects List. As part of your application, you and your mentor(s) will sign a Mentor Compact form confirming your mutual commitment to the fellowship and proposed project. See online application link for more details.
18. Do fellowship projects have to be built on something existing? No. Fellowship projects can be entirely new proposed initiatives or build on existing work. We encourage applicants to explore building on work led by current or former CHESA Fellows or other collaborators in their communities or home institutions. You may refer to the Potential Mentors and Projects List to explore previous fellowship projects and reach out to current or former CHESA Fellows to learn more.
19. Does my mentor need to be based in the same country as me or in the United States? No. Your mentor does not need to be based in the same country as you or in the United States. We encourage mentorship from individuals who are local to you and/or affiliated with CHESA. The Potential Mentors and Projects List is a great place to start to identify CHESA-affiliated mentors. We recommend proactively reaching out as early as possible to discuss their availability and interest.
20. What if I don’t find a suitable mentor on the Potential Mentors and Projects List? You are not required to select a mentor from the list. We welcome external mentors – especially those who are already working with you and are well acquainted with your project and career goals. We strongly encourage applicants to take the lead in identifying and building a relationship with a potential mentor as early as possible. If you need additional support, you can email global.surgery@ucsf.edu and we will do our best to help connect you with potential mentors.
21. How many mentors can I have? You may have as many mentors as you would like to support your project and career development. The minimum is one for applicants.
22. What are the qualifications of a mentor? Mentors should have relevant expertise in your project area and a willingness to meet on average once per month to provide guidance and support throughout the fellowship period. While CHESA-affiliated mentors are preferred, external mentors are also welcome.
23. Are there any instances where we meet in person during the fellowship? Yes. CHESA hosts a once-per-cohort retreat at an international site. Fellows, faculty leadership, and mentors come together for community-building and collaboration.
24. How are the retreat costs covered? Retreat expenses for participants are supported on a case-by-case basis based on funding availability, with priority for fellows from and based in low- and middle-income countries for the duration of the fellowship. This funding is made possible through the support of a private donor and follows donor-defined eligibility parameters.
25. I don’t have a CHESA-affiliated mentor. Can I still apply? Listing at least one mentor on your application with a signed mentorship compact form will make your application more competitive. We expect everyone to have at least a local mentor to support their application. If you are unable to identify a CHESA-affiliated mentor by the deadline – or you are still consulting with someone who may be a potential mentor – we still encourage you to submit your application by the deadline. Please indicate on your application form that you are still in the process of identifying or confirming a CHESA mentor and indicate who you reached out to and the outcome of your efforts. Our admission committee will be reviewing each application holistically. For successful applicants who are invited to join the next fellows cohort, we will facilitate mentor matching with a CHESA faculty.
If you have additional questions not addressed here, feel free to contact us at global.surgery@ucsf.edu.
