The Sawyer Pardo Fellowship for LGBTQ+ Health Program

Research: Fellows will participate in community-based research, implementation science and quality improvement projects aimed at improving health outcomes and enhancing resource availability for communities. Based on career interests, fellows can take coursework for graduate certifications in Community-Engaged Research for Health or Clinical & Translational Research

Clinical Activities (50%):

  • Fellows will provide direct, independent primary care with a focus on serving LGBTQ+ populations, supported by mentorship from Program Directors. 

    • Applicants should have experience initiating and managing hormone therapy for transgender adults. 

    • Fellows will deliver broad-spectrum primary care consistent with their residency training and will be encouraged to expand their clinical scope. 

  • Opportunities for additional topical or procedural training are available based on fellows’ professional goals 

    • This can include procedural training in high-resolution anoscopy, colposcopy, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), and the integration of these services into clinical practice. 

    • This can also include training in HIV primary care through the Midwest AIDS Training + Education Center 

  • The program fosters interprofessional collaboration across specialties (i.e., surgery, voice training, occupational therapy) to enhance care delivery and address specific health needs within LGBTQ+ communities. 

Academic Activities and Leadership Development (50%): 

The fellowship is built around your future.  Our program offers 50% protected time for customizable opportunities in research, teaching, systems leadership and policy, and mentorship—empowering you to shape your focus and lead in the areas that matter most to you. 

Program Structure

Education: Fellows will contribute to medical education through curriculum development and clinical teaching of medical students, resident physicians, and interdisciplinary learners at the College of Medicine. Fellows who want to further expand their medical education knowledge can pursue a Graduate Certificate in Medical Education.

Applied Mentorship: Each fellow will receive personalized mentorship in clinical, research, and academic domains, including support for individualized learning plans and long-term career development.  

Health Policy & Systems Leadership: Fellows will explore the intersection of healthcare delivery and policy, with training in how health systems and regulatory frameworks influence care provision and access. The curriculum prepares fellows to navigate evolving health systems and work toward effective, patient-centered solutions.

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