AFHE Welcomes Tenth Cohort of Global Health Leaders

 The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity (AFHE), based at the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, is proud to announce its 2027 cohort — 15 exceptional leaders whose work is shaping the future of health in communities around the world.

 As AFHE celebrates its tenth year, this milestone cohort reflects a decade of investing in leaders who are tackling complex health challenges through collaboration, innovation and action. 

 Representing Australia, Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States, the fellows bring expertise spanning health economics, medicine, journalism, nursing, public health, sexual and reproductive health, malaria, quality improvement, disability inclusion, forensic psychiatry, emergency services, end-of-life care, food safety and food security. Together, they represent the interdisciplinary leadership needed to strengthen health systems and improve health worldwide.

 “The tenth cohort is a meaningful milestone for our program and a powerful reminder of what is possible when we invest in people,” said Dr. Guenevere Burke, Executive Director of the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity and Research Professor of Prevention and Community Health at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. “These fellows bring extraordinary expertise, curiosity and commitment to improving health in their communities. We are excited to welcome them to our global community of Atlantic Fellows.”

 AFHE was launched in 2016 as Leaders for Health Equity and is one of seven interconnected Atlantic Fellows programs worldwide. The one-year, non-residential fellowship selects 15 emerging leaders annually to participate in a curriculum designed to deepen their leadership and bolster their capacity for creating solutions. Grounded in collective learning and sustained through a lifelong global network, the program now includes 166 current and Senior Fellows across 36 countries.

 Beginning in early 2027, fellows will participate in a hybrid learning experience that includes in-person convenings and virtual sessions throughout the year. With support from faculty, mentors and coaches and other global health experts, each fellow will develop and advance a project addressing pressing health challenges in their local context. Upon completing the program, they will join the broader AFHE Senior Fellows and Global Atlantic Fellows communities, a network of more than 1,000 leaders committed to building fairer, healthier societies.

 “Welcoming our tenth cohort is both a celebration of how far our community has come and an exciting glimpse of where we’re headed,” said Selam Bedada, Program Director of the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity. “Each new cohort brings fresh perspectives, new ideas and lasting connections that strengthen our community.”

Applications for the 2028 Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity fellowship will open in early 2027. Sign up for more information.

Meet the 2027 Fellows