APTR hosted 33 students from across the health professions for the 2021 Paul Ambrose Student Leadership Symposium from June 22-24, 2021. A key component of the Paul Ambrose Scholars Program, the Symposium held virtual presentations, break-out discussions based on scholar community-based projects, and engaging Q&A sessions. Scholars learned about population health, health equity, health policy and advocacy, project planning and evaluation, and becoming effective change agents. Sessions also touched upon important public health competencies and leadership in medicine for the undeserved.

Dr. Brian Castrucci, CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, presented on advancing policy, building partnerships, and strengthening public health to create communities where everyone can achieve their best possible health. Robyn Bussey, Community Health Strategist for ARCHI described the components of effective coalitions including clear organizational structure, membership capacity to do the work, and sustainability. Dr. Peter Lurie, President of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), explained advocacy tools for government insiders such as interacting with legislators, conducting research to assist policy formulation, and engaging in committee work to address a crisis. Dr. Luis Padilla of the HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce Professions described effective leadership as establishing a vision, empowering others, and listening to diverse perspectives.

Scholars gained a deeper understanding of the complexities and varying attitudes toward public health and learned methods to address local policy that influence community health. According to Scholar Katie Dang, “The race matters lecture by Dr. Marilyn Mobley from Case Western Reserve University was very applicable. Many of the lectures...were very motivational.”