Laurel Uhomba, Pharm.D., MPH, MBA, spent the summer with the government affairs offices at ACCP and ASHP before beginning her placement on Capitol Hill, where she is now serving as a health policy expert in the US House of Representatives on the Energy and Commerce Minority Subcommittee on Health.
Uhomba stands next to the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.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 in Washington, D.C., 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.
As Uhomba began her placement in Congress, ACCP sat down with her to learn more about her experience to date. Here’s an update from the College’s 2025-2026 Fellow.
What motivated you to apply for the Fellow program?
I’ve always wanted to understand the “why” behind systems, especially when it comes to health care access. During pharmacy school and residency, I saw firsthand how upstream policies can create real downstream barriers for patients. I loved patient care, but I wanted to make a broader impact. My experiences in leadership and advocacy made the congressional fellowship feel like the natural next step. I always knew I wanted to be involved in legislative affairs, and this fellowship provides a unique opportunity for pharmacists to be introduced to the legislative system.
You moved from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.—what has been the biggest adjustment? What do you like most about living in D.C. so far?
I have always wanted to live in D.C. I absolutely love how open and airy the city feels. There’s always something to do, so many free and affordable events, and I appreciate the diversity of the city in backgrounds, careers, and perspectives. I also love how accessible D.C. is to so many nearby cities. The biggest adjustment has been learning the public transit system. The city is very accessible, but it’s definitely a learning curve for someone living in the city for the first time.
After your Fellow year, what do you hope to achieve in the next phase of your career?
I hope to continue working at the intersection of health care, policy, and innovation, whether that’s in a government affairs role, a health system, or a nonprofit focused on equitable access. This fellowship is helping me build a strong foundation in federal policy, and I also want to keep developing my ability to engage stakeholders, translate complex topics for different audiences, and drive solutions that are both people centered and data driven.
Do you have any advice for potential applicants to the Fellow program?
Don’t wait until you feel like the “perfect” candidate. If you’re passionate about systemic change and willing to learn, this fellowship will meet you where you are and challenge you to grow. Be ready to step outside your comfort zone, speak with confidence even when you’re still figuring it out, and stay curious. Also, reach out to past fellows. Their insights helped me feel more prepared and connected before I even started.
Anything else you’d like to add for future Fellows?
Find your why and know why you want to do this. Lean into your unique background, whether it’s clinical, operational, public health, or something else entirely. You don’t need to have all the policy answers from day 1. What matters most is your perspective, your willingness to learn, and your ability to build relationships.
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. Current positions of other recent fellow alumni:
- 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 & Pensions.
- 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.
Applications for 2026-2027 Pharmacy Healthcare Policy Fellow Program
Interested candidates should visit https://healthpolicy.pharmacy.vcu.edu/ for more information and instructions on submitting an application.