Salk Health Activist Fellowship Kicks Off with Focus on Medicaid
Type: News
Focus Area: Workforce Development
This year’s Salk Health Activist Fellowship cohort includes 27 fellows representing seven universities.
At a moment when sweeping changes threaten the future of Medicaid, our nation’s foundational safety-net program, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) has launched its fall Salk Health Activist Fellowship to spotlight the program’s vital role in Pennsylvania’s healthcare system.
Medicaid, the nation’s largest public health insurance program, covers more than 3 million Pennsylvanians and provides lifelines of care for children, pregnant people, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and low-income families. Yet, recent federal policy shifts are projected to result in the loss of coverage for an estimated 5.2 million Americans—including 300,000 in Pennsylvania—while accelerating hospital closures and limiting access-to-care crises in rural communities.
Against this backdrop, the 2025 Salk Fellowship began on September 10 with a cohort of 27 fellows representing 13 disciplines and 7 universities. Throughout the fellowship, participants will explore Medicaid’s roots, evaluate its current impact in Pennsylvania, and craft compelling, evidence-based cases that communicate why the program is essential. They will work in teams, guided by expert faculty and content leaders, to strengthen their skills in health policy, systems thinking, and community engagement.
“This fellowship is a platform for transforming lived experiences into meaningful change,” said Farhet Shaheen, a master’s in healthcare administration student at Robert Morris University. “As I understand more about the impacts of health policy gaps, I am committed to providing insights, advocating for underrepresented voices, and fostering a more compassionate health system.”
As in past years, the fellowship emphasizes collaboration and the building of strong professional networks. Fellows will not only deepen their understanding of health policy but also become part of a growing community of changemakers dedicated to advancing a more just and equitable healthcare system.
“As an Alzheimer’s Disease researcher, there is nothing more frustrating than the thought that the incredible work my field does every day may not benefit the people we do it for, either due to research funding cuts or due to reductions in critical healthcare infrastructure from the federal government,” said Emily Wheelis, a doctor of neuroscience student at the University of Pittsburgh. “I am very excited to learn about how policy is actually made, and how to meaningfully connect with legislators and other key contacts in order to effect a real change in how we approach health care.”
By the end of the fellowship, fellows will present persuasive cases on why Medicaid remains indispensable to the health and well-being of diverse Pennsylvanians. Their work will serve as both a call to action and a testament to the power of advocacy in protecting the health of vulnerable communities.
