Program FAQs
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.
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.
How many Fellows have you had? Who are they and where are they from?
To date, we have had 55 Fellows (current and alumni) based in 13 countries worldwide, including Haiti, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Jordan, Romania, and the United States. Our Fellows represent 10 specialities including Anesthesia, General Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology, Otolaryngology, Colorectal Surgery, Trauma Surgery, and Other (MD/Researcher). Our Fellows have produced over 81 publications since 2022. 45% of Fellows are female and 64% are from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. 87% of Fellows are early-career.
What is required of a CHESA Fellow?
This is a one-year fellowship. There are virtual one-hour meetings twice per month with Fellows and CHESA program faculty. These Fellow Friday seminars feature guest speakers, career building and mentorship workshops, project development workshops and Fellow work-in-progress presentations, and community building. Fellows are required to complete a scholarly project during their fellowship year, 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 fellowship 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 will be piloting an annual Global Fellows Gathering starting with the 2024-25 cohort, which may include Alumni Fellows.
Attendance and participation for both in-person and online curriculum and virtual meetings is required for successful completion of the program.
What is the timeline for the 2024-25 CHESA Fellowship program?
- September 2024: Program Launch
- September 2024-August 2025: Virtual Community and Mentor Meetings, Self-Guided Curriculum, and Project Implementation
- Spring 2025: Global Fellows Gathering (Date/Location TBD)
- August 2025: Final Celebration/Graduation
What types of projects have Fellows undertaken during their fellowship year?
CHESA supports Fellows to undertake groundbreaking initiatives to improve training, access and/or quality of surgical care in their communities. Examples of Fellow projects:
- Developing the first pediatric surgery service in Burundi
- Conducting preschool and elementary school vision screenings to detect reversible causes of vision loss in children in Haiti
- Scaling advanced trauma training to healthcare providers across Uganda
- Establishing a laparoscopic simulation lab in Tanzania
- Reusing personal protective equipment and surgical instruments and bringing minimal waste solutions from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to a High-Income Country setting
Does the CHESA Fellowship provide clinical training?
At present, the CHESA Fellowship does not provide clinical training. The focus of the fellowship is training, mentorship, and support for education, research and advocacy and policy projects.
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.
Does the fellowship include a stipend? Is there a fee to participate in the program?
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 problem 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 to our Fellows who are from and based in an LMIC 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.
Who manages and supports the CHESA Fellowship program?
The Fellowship is co-directed by an all-female leadership who are outstanding global health leaders and role models for our Fellows, including Lia Jacobson, UCSF pediatric otolaryngologist, Cathy Kilyewala, Makerere University breast and endocrine surgeon, and Sriranjani Padmanabhan, UCSF ophthalmologist. Program management, administrative, and communications support to the fellowship is provided by Zayna Tommalieh, CHESA Program Coordinator, and Patti Orozco, CHESA Deputy Director. The Fellowship team is supported by CHESA faculty leadership (see About Us >> Meet the Team + Leadership Committee) who serve as mentors and collaborators to our Fellows. It truly takes a village to support our Fellows!
Do I have to move to San Francisco, California to be a CHESA Fellow?
No. Most CHESA Fellows do not live in San Francisco and are not in San Francisco during their fellowship. Our program is flexible, enabling Fellows to participate completely remotely or hybrid/in-person at UCSF, if eligible/applicable.
How can I find out more information about the fellowship?
Visit https://globalsurgery.org/fellowships/the-chesa-fellowship/ to learn more.
Application FAQs
What are the application requirements to become a CHESA Fellow?
- Short written and video essay responses addressing why you want to become a CHESA fellow
- Project proposal describing the project would like to complete during your fellowship hear
- Optional proposal budget for eligible Fellows from and based in LMICs for the duration of the program who are requesting project funding support
- Your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Employer support form completed by someone in a direct supervisory role acknowledge support for your participation in the program
More details found here: https://globalsurgery.org/fellowships/the-chesa-fellowship/
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.
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.
Are there minimum educational or degree requirements?
Fellow applications 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.
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 scholarly project (usually ~2 days per week).
Can I apply if I am a medical student?
Medical students are not eligible for the fellowship.
What are the requirements for CHESA Fellows who may seek clinical appointment at UCSF while participating in the program?
HEAL Fellows and CHESA Anesthesia Fellows, CHESA Urology and CHESA OHNS Fellows who wish to join the CHESA Fellowship program and be based clinically at UCSF or San Francisco General Hospital, must have or be eligible for a California Medical License prior to the start date of the fellowship. Applicants must be able to obtain a CA medical license (2113 licenses may be considered) and a US Visa (e.g. H1b, E3 etc) that allows for clinical practice. The requirements and process will be different depending on your country of origin and training.
How many Fellows are accepted each year?
It varies by year. The CHESA Fellowship program accepts up to 25 per year.
I don’t have a UCSF or CHESA affiliate mentor. Do I need one to apply?
No. CHESA Fellow projects are highly suggested to be supported by a UCSF or CHESA network affiliate, whether they are a mentor or researcher. If you do not currently have a UCSF or CHESA affiliate to support your project, please browse and connect with our CHESA faculty leadership (About Us >> Meet Team >> Leadership Committee) and through the UCSF Directory. If you are applying from outside the United States, we suggest one of your mentors to be local to you.
How do I apply?
For application instructions for the CHESA Fellowship, visit the CHESA Fellowship page: https://globalsurgery.org/fellowships/the-chesa-fellowship/
