Primary Care Master’s Scholar Program
Guidelines and Application | 2016-2017 Academic Year
INTRODUCTION
The Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care is delighted to announce the Primary Care
Master’s Scholar program. The Center for Primary Care is working to create a vibrant learning
community that shares ideas and leads innovation in primary care and health system redesign.
By transforming how we deliver primary care and how we train and educate the leaders of the
future, the Center believes we can help address the major health care challenges that exist in
the US and around the world.
Through the Center's Master's Scholar program, one current HMS student will be selected to
receive up to $32K to obtain a one-year master's degree in any area through any rigorous
academic program that will further their career as primary care leaders. HMS students with
excellent academic standing are encouraged to apply.
Because the ongoing crisis in primary care demands imaginative solutions, the Center’s new
Master’s Scholars program provides an exceptional opportunity for future primary care leaders
to gain cross-professional experience and knowledge that will bring new perspectives and
insights into primary care practice and redesign.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to primary care innovation. This award will be
granted through a competitive applications process.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
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Award: A maximum of $32,000 towards tuition for any one-year master’s degree
program (or up to one year of support for a two year program).
The Scholar is expected to do their master’s thesis or project on a primary care topic.
They may choose their own thesis topic, but it needs to be approved by the Center. If
the master’s program does not require a large-scale project or thesis, the Scholar will
work with faculty at the Center to develop a talk or workshop for the primary care
community.
The Scholar is expected to meet frequently with a faculty mentor from the Center
during their master’s year. The meetings can take place in person or electronically.
The Scholar is expected to participate in Center events and be a part of the Center’s
community and culture of innovation.
The Scholar is expected to present a poster or talk at the Primary Care Innovation
Conference or other designated conference according to the student’s career goals and
the Center’s programmatic needs.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be pursuing a medical degree at Harvard Medical School and plan to obtain an
additional graduate degree from an accredited institution. Students must be in good academic
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standing. Candidates must have completed one year of their medical degree when they begin
the program. Students must begin their master’s program in the fall of 2016. Funds are not to
be used towards tuition for a degree leading directly to professional practice, but rather to a
complimentary program that will enhance the applicant’s ability to improve primary care
delivery.
Applicants may apply for the scholarship while applying for a graduate program; however,
funding will not be distributed until proof of admission to a graduate school is provided.
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Students who have demonstrated a clear commitment to a career in primary care will
be given preference.
Experience in primary care, interest in new models of health care delivery, leadership
potential, interest in working with vulnerable populations, and record of innovative or
entrepreneurial thinking are preferred qualities in applicants.
Applicants must inform the Center if they receive other scholarships or grants for the same
degree. This may affect the level of support provided by the Center. In addition, funding will not
exceed the amount of tuition owed. The Scholar will be responsible for paying tuition or fees
that exceed original award amount.
JOINT AND CONCURRENT DEGREE STUDENTS
Applicants who are pursuing or plan to pursue joint or concurrent degrees should contact the
Scholars in Medicine Office to discuss the timing of their applications before submitting.
Funding received through the Master’s Scholar program may not be deferred.
HOW TO APPLY
Primary Care Master’s Scholar applications are due to the Harvard Medical School Center for
Primary Care in electronic format by 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 15th. Application
materials should be submitted to Eric Fillinger (eric_fillinger@hms.harvard.edu) with the
subject line “Primary Care Master’s Scholar Application.”
The application requires the following materials:
1. A completed and signed Scholarship Application (below).
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
3. Statement of Purpose: The Master’s Scholar program is meant to prepare recipients to
lead major change in primary care in the U.S. or abroad. Please answer the following
four prompts as a means to provide concrete examples of your success as a leader, and
to show how the proposed master’s program will further your career goals in primary
care. The typed Statement of Purpose should include your name on each page and
signature at the end of the document. The statement should not exceed 1,600 words.
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Please describe where you see yourself in 10 years, and the path you plan to
take to get there.
Please describe a situation or experience you have had that exemplifies your
leadership abilities.
Please give an example of a change you would like to see in health care delivery,
and describe how you would make that change happen.
Please explain how your proposed master's program will prepare you to lead the
types of changes you describe.
4. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required to support
the application and should be written specifically for the Primary Care Master’s Scholar
program. The most effective letters will explicitly reference the applicant’s leadership
capacity and potential to lead change in primary care. One of the letters must be from a
Harvard Medical School faculty member. Letters from primary care faculty will be given
higher priority. The Selection Committee will review two letters only; please do not
submit more.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Please do not submit additional materials (e.g., newspaper articles, photos, portfolios). The
selection committee will not review any supplemental materials.
The scholarship application is separate from the candidate’s application for admission to the
graduate school program. Applications for admission must be submitted to the appropriate
school according to the deadlines established at that school.
TIMELINE + SUBMISSION
The Primary Care Master’s Scholars Application is due to the Harvard Medical School Center for
Primary Care in electronic format by the deadline below.
Application materials should be submitted to Eric Fillinger (eric_fillinger@hms.harvard.edu)
with the subject line “Primary Care Master’s Scholar Application.”
Application Deadline: 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 15th, 2016
Announcement of awards: March 15th, 2016
Awards begin: Fall 2016 academic school year
CONTACT INFORMATION
Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care
Program Lead Faculty Contact: Kristen Goodell, MD
Email: kristen_goodell@hms.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-432-2354
Web: http://primarycare.hms.harvard.edu
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APPLICATION FORM
Please include this form with your final materials
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: __________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________
Telephone: _______________________________________________
Mailing Address: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Permanent Address: ________________________________________
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CURRENT YEAR IN MEDICAL SCHOOL*
I am currently applying to study for the following joint/concurrent degrees: ________________
______________________________________________________________________________
I have been already been admitted to (list all): ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
I have applied for admission to the following graduate degree program(s): _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
*Note: Applicants must be current Harvard Medical School students pursuing a medical degree.
Applicants pursuing joint or concurrent degrees at Harvard University should discuss the timing
of the Master’s Scholars program with the Scholars in Medicine Office before submitting their
applications.
OTHER APPLICATIONS
Please list any additional fellowships, scholarships, sponsorships, financial aid, or grant
applications you have submitted or plan to submit to support your academic program, including
the source and amount of each and whether the award has been confirmed: _______________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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APPLICATION MATERIALS
☐ Completed and Signed Application Form
☐ Resume or Curriculum Vitae
☐ Statement of Purpose
☐ Two Letters of Recommendation
All materials should be combined into one PDF document sent to
eric_fillinger@hms.harvard.edu with the subject line “Primary Care Master’s Scholar
Application”.
REFERENCE INFORMATION
HMS Faculty Member
 Name: ____________________________________________________
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Title: _____________________________________________________
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Institution: ________________________________________________
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Email: ____________________________________________________
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Phone: ___________________________________________________
Additional Reference
 Name: ____________________________________________________
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Title: _____________________________________________________
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Institution: ________________________________________________
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Email: ____________________________________________________
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Phone: ___________________________________________________
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information presented in this application is accurate, complete, and honestly
presented. I certify that I wrote the Statement of Purpose myself and that any information
submitted on my behalf, including the recommendations is authentic.
I understand that any inaccurate or misleading information, or omission, may be cause for
rescission of the Primary Care Master’s Scholar program.
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Signature
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Print Name
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Date