Building a Career on Capitol Hill: Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow Program

Laurel Uhomba, Pharm.D., MPH, MBA, is currently serving as the ACCP-ASHP-VCU Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow, spending a year working for the Health Subcommittee within the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington, DC.

Now in its 19th year, the 14-month American College of Clinical Pharmacy-American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-Virginia Commonwealth University Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow Program offers a unique opportunity for a pharmacist to serve as a staff member in the US Congress, with orientation managed by ACCP and ASHP government affairs offices.

ACCP sat down with Uhomba to catch up on her experience working in Congress. Here’s an update from our 2025-2026 Fellow!

Congratulations on your work on Capitol Hill! How did you find your placement in such a powerful and influential congressional office?

I entered the fellowship with an interest in working either in a personal member office or on a committee. The teams at ASHP and ACCP, together with fellowship alumni, were instrumental in connecting me with contacts across offices and committees aligned with my interests. I interviewed with several congressional offices and committees to better understand the range of opportunities available. Drawing on my public health training and clinical experiences across community and specialty pharmacy, Indian Health Services, Veterans Affairs, academic medical centers, and federally qualified health centers, I was particularly interested in a placement that offered a broad, systems-level view of federal health policy. The Energy and Commerce Committee’s jurisdiction provided that perspective. From my initial conversations, it was clear the team valued my background and saw how my experience could contribute meaningfully to their work.

Would it be possible to describe a typical day on Capitol Hill?

No 2 days are exactly the same. My work includes meeting with a wide range of stakeholders, contributing to ongoing policy projects, and supporting preparation for hearings. I also assist with drafting memos and background materials to help inform members and staff on key health issues under the committee’s jurisdiction.

How do you enjoy life in Washington, DC?

I absolutely love living in DC, what I affectionately call my Dream City. There is so much to do and such a diverse mix of people to connect with. One of my favorite parts of living here is how accessible everything feels. There are countless free events, museums, festivals, and networking opportunities, and most places are walkable or easily reached by public transit. It is energizing to live in a city where so many people are passionate about their work across so many different sectors.

What are your plans for the future?

My goal is to pursue a role that allows me to bridge my health care, public health, and business backgrounds. This fellowship has given me valuable insight into how pharmacists’ skills and perspectives can be leveraged to help shape policy and advance the profession within broader health system conversations.

Do you have advice for interested candidates?

Do not let a perceived lack of policy experience deter you from applying. It is normal to feel like you do not know enough going into this space, but this is exactly what the fellowship is designed to address. There will always be things you do not know, and many of those gaps can be filled with time, curiosity, and learning along the way. Do not let self-doubt hold you back from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This fellowship is a constant reminder that every voice matters and that your lived and professional experiences uniquely position you to contribute to meaningful change.

Alumni Fellows

• The 2024-2025 Fellow, Mikayla Harris, Pharm.D., is now serving as a Legislative Assistant in the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs in the US Senate.
• Amanda Ferguson, Pharm.D., currently serves as Senior Director, Federal Relations, Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS).
• Nimit Jindal, Pharm.D., currently serves as Senior Health Policy Advisor, US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).
• Tatiana Bujnoch, Pharm.D., MS, BCPS, currently serves as Health Equity and Policy Associate at Morgan Health.
• Rita (Habib) Livadas, Pharm.D., currently serves as Director, Global Public Health, Life Sciences at Becton, Dickinson and Co.