Fellowship Orientation Information

Atlantic Fellows will have didactic sessions for key content modules on Tuesdays at GBHI. The modules include Clinicals/Neurosciences; Ethics, Law and Society; Health Economics; Epidemiology; Creativity and Equity in Brain Health; and the Social Determinants of Health. All of these are taught in groups of sessions, called Pods, around crucial areas of dementia – including its causes and treatments, as well as its modifiable risk factors. Additionally, there are several courses taught as independent units, including Health Policy and Summer Electives. One other module, Research Analytics Methods will be taught as individually-managed training for fellows who are trying to reach specific goals. On Thursdays, we will have other content modules, which include: Skills (for presentations and writing), Leadership, and the 5C sessions, small group discussion-based and fellow-led sessions where fellows can continue discussing ideas surrounding content from the Tuesday sessions and connecting this with other relevant facets of the program. At GBHI, we have pre-session learning materials, including readings, videos, etc, all found online on our Canvas site. Fellows are expected to read articles and watch prepared videos and PowerPoint in advance of sessions to learn about the topics and come to class prepared. During the sessions, instead of the more traditional lecture-style of teaching, we use the time together to have interactive explorations of the materials presented so that a wide variety of learners (Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health are from multi-disciplinary backgrounds) can participate and learn from instructors and one another. These sessions are also done on Zoom with all fellows participating and learning together.

For more, see the programs page.

The clinical and lived experiences provide opportunities to Atlantic Fellows to observe clinical care, interactions with people living with dementia and their carers, to learn about the operations of research projects, to engage with the community, and to develop a deeper understanding of specialized areas of care. A menu of opportunities will be provided for each site during orientation.

GBHI views effective mentorship as key to help fellows optimize their opportunities for development throughout the program and achieve maximum impact after the program. Each Atlantic Fellow is supported by their own mentorship team. The team consists of:

• A GBHI (Primary) mentor
• A regional mentor
• Optional content mentors

Together these mentors help guide the fellows’ journey through the one-year program and beyond. Further information on the program page and the Mentorship Guide can be found on the intranet.

Since its inception in 2015, GBHI has hosted an annual conference designed to share best practices on brain health strategies from across the globe. The conference serves as a forum for important conversations about issues facing dementia research and advocacy work and the role GBHI can play. The inter-professional event features panel discussions, poster presentations, breakout sessions, and cultural performances. Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health share their expertise at the conference and curate a conference session. Learn more about the annual conference.

Through leadership development sessions, skills workshops, and mentorship fellows will gain the skills and tools to become a transformative leader and change agent in their home community. More on leadership here.

As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to apply new skills from various learning activities. New skills will
allow you to communicate effectively, build meaningful relationships, solve problems, and operationalize ideas to
create change. The learning experience includes training in communication (written and oral), networking, project
management, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and use of narrative to affect change. Faculty-facilitated activities to
support this learning include workshops, poster writing, presentations at meetings and seminars, and pilot project development.

Selectives run in the second half of the program year. They offer fellows the opportunity to take a deeper dive into certain topics and to steer, hone and personalize their experience.

More information about seminars can be found on the GBHI at Trinity page. The seminar list of speakers can be accessed via the intranet.

You will have an opportunity to develop niche pilots, projects, innovative interventions, and research in dementia, more here.