Rural Research & Policy Fellowship
The New York State Association for Rural Health welcomes applicants for its Research and Policy (RaP)
Fellowship program. This program introduces graduate students and early professionals to rural health issues and engages them in advocacy activities.
This year’s RaP Fellowship cohort will run from January to September, 2025.
RaP Fellows select a topic from the NYSARH Policy Committee’s current legislative priorities. First, RaP Fellows research this issue and its importance to rural communities in New York State. Research outputs include a bibliography of recent literature, as well as a 2-3 page research brief summarizing the topic. Next, Fellows produce a 1-2 page policy brief suggesting policy levers relevant to their topic and providing concrete recommendations to policymakers.
During their fellowship, RaP participants receive education about rural health equity, the legislative process in New York State, and effective advocacy practice. They have the opportunity to work with NYSARH mentors and to participate in NYSARH’s legislative action work during state budget season.
Introducing the 2025 NYSARH RaP Fellows
Samantha Ballas (SUNY Upstate Medical University – Doctor of Medicine student, Rural Medicine Program)
Samantha is a medical student dedicated to addressing health disparities in rural communities, with research experience in public health, mental health, and firearm injury prevention.
Abby Duvall, MPH (The George Washington University – Master of Public Health, Global Health Policy)
Abby brings expertise in substance use policy and harm reduction, working across federal and nonprofit sectors on public health research and policy analysis.
Joshua Grove (Syracuse University – Ph.D. candidate in Sociology, specializing in Drugs & Society and Population Health)
Joshua’s research focuses on mental health, substance use, and rural-urban health disparities, with experience in public policy analysis and harm reduction strategies.
Grace Gugerty (SUNY Upstate Medical University – Doctor of Medicine student, Rural Medical Scholars Program)
Grace is an advocate for rural healthcare workforce development, with a background in public health research, opioid prevention education, and emergency medicine.
Sabrina Soto (Suffolk University – Master of Healthcare Administration student, Concentration in Quality & Patient Safety)
Sabrina is committed to improving healthcare access and patient outcomes, with experience in healthcare management, policy analysis, and rural maternal health disparities research.