Other Training and Support
Research in Progress Sessions
MSHP RIP provides an opportunity for students to present on their work to their peers and faculty from the program and receive constructive feedback. The sessions take place throughout the academic year and students attend and present during each of the two years that they are in the program. Lunch is provided.
Professional Development Series
Various faculty from across campus present on a number of topics related to developing students’ career and training. Past topics have included: negotiations, meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, work/life balance, personal finance, motivation and productivity, presentation skills and mentorship. Each session is evaluated and lectures are added or removed based on student interest.
Visiting Policy Speakers
Leaders in health policy are invited to visit the program and lead discussions on a topic of interest. These speakers are typically external guests in leadership roles, often from outside of academia. In many cases, visiting speakers will hold one on one and small group meetings with students in addition to their invited talks.
STATA Labs
There are at least eight STATA Labs scheduled during the fall and spring semesters of students’ first year. Homework assignments and other exercises are used to develop competency with the software and to prepare students for future research projects that require statistical analysis.
LDI Research and Policy Seminar Series
The LDI Health Policy Seminar Series convenes national policy makers, corporate leaders, health services research faculty, and students to discuss issues in health care policy, delivery, and research. All MSHP students are strongly encouraged to attend. Seminar abstracts/summaries and speaker biographies are available. Seminars are typically on Fridays. Specific dates can be found on the LDI Calendar of Events: http://ldi.upenn.edu/events.
LDI/SOM HSR Workshops
These workshops feature HSR researchers from LDI and the Perelman School of Medicine, who present about their current work and solicit feedback. All MSHP students are strongly encouraged to attend. Specific dates can be found on the LDI Calendar of Events: http://ldi.upenn.edu/events.
Local Journal Clubs/Grand Rounds
Most clinical departments and fellowships have their own journal clubs, Grand Rounds, or other similar activities. MSHP students can participate in these activities per their specialty and the clinical department with which they are affiliated.
Financial Resources
Intramural Penn Pilot Grants Programs
There are multiple other sources of pilot funding at Penn, many of which are open to MSHP students directly, and others that require collaboration with a mentor/faculty member. These include the grants from the Leonard Davis Institute, the Center for Therapeutic Effectiveness Research (CTER), the University Research Foundation and others. These programs generally offer pilot grants in the $5,000 to $50,000 range that are awarded competitively through a peer review process. These awards have the advantage of providing both funds and the experience and recognition of having received competitive research funding. Historically, MSHP students have been very successful in obtaining these funds.
Research Support
The MSHP program provides all of its students with STATA, the use of a common computer with NVIVO, all required textbooks for core courses and miscellaneous office supplies as needed and as appropriate. With prior approval from the Program Directors, MSHP funds may also be available for research personnel, biostatistics assistance and programming help.