Pharmacists selected for the position have the opportunity to gain real-world insight into health care policy analysis and development via immersion in the congressional environment. Fellows are actively mentored in legislative evaluation, policy development, research and writing while integrating practical experience with theory.

Robb currently works as a pharmacy supervisor with the University of Virginia Health System. He holds a Pharm.D. from the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina and bachelor’s degrees in history and chemistry from North Carolina State University.  

He credits his work at U.Va.’s hospital with his interest in public policy. That experience “put me into contact with many patients with needs that far outweighed their personal resources,” he said.

“There are still many barriers to care facing large portions of the general population and each problem requires an individualized solution,” Robb added. “I’ve seen how barriers in perception can prevent people from seeking care that they did not realize they had access to. I’ve seen well-meaning policies implemented in manners that do not best serve all patients and I have been tasked with finding ways to help the excluded patients. … There are many problems still in need of solutions that collectively represent massive opportunity to better manage healthcare resources and thereby improve people’s lives.”

After completing the fellowship Robb plans to work in health policy as part of government or through academic research.

The Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow program will begin in July. Robb will spend one week at the Brookings Institution and three weeks each with ACCP’s and ASHP’s government affairs offices. Finally, she will embark on her placement within a congressional office or on congressional committee staff in Washington, D.C.

The fellowship program, now directed by VCU School of Pharmacy associate professor Kristin Zimmerman, was founded 12 years ago under the leadership of professor Gary R. Matzke.