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Visiting Scholar Program Information

I. Criteria for Selection of Visiting Scholars

A. Personal Motivation: The individual selected shall be committed to returning to his/her underserved country with the goal of applying his/her training to the betterment of the indigenous population through the establishment of interdisciplinary team care.

B. Institutional Commitment: The applicant must secure from the institution at which he/she is currently employed, a written letter of commitment to the establishment of a new and/or the improvement of an existing interdisciplinary team care program. In the event the individual awarded the VSP relocates to another institution, ACPA requires the commitment of the original institution to carry on the program.

C. Qualifications: Understanding that previous opportunities for formal education and training may be limited, no specific educational prerequisites are required. However, participation in health care delivery and/or education with the reasonable expectation that the newly acquired knowledge and training will be put to practical application is required.

D. The proposed scholar's qualifications and professional activity shall be known by the nominating ACPA member based on personal on-site observation. ACPA members (previous and current) are not eligible.

II. Application
Deadline: January 15 (attends ACPA meeting in April or March of the following year)
Notification: May

A. Guidelines. Applicant (see scholar guidelines) must be sponsored by ACPA member and have the real potential for establishing and/or directing interdisciplinary team care for the evaluation and treatment of individuals with craniofacial anomalies.

B. Application Part 1. Applicant must submit the "Part 1 - Candidate Form" section of the Visiting Scholar Program application. Assistance, as needed, should be provided by ACPA sponsor.

C. Application Part 2. Only complete applications will be reveiewed. Applications will not be considered complete until Part 1 (Candidate Form), Part 2 (ACPA Sponsor Form), and three letters of recommendations are received by the National Office.

III. Responsibilities of ACPA Sponsor (see guidelines)

A . Assist in completion of "Part 1 - Candidate Form" section of application.

B. Complete "Part 2 - Sponsor Form" section of application.

C. Organize and coordinate the Visiting Scholar's educational experience for the 4 week visit with ACPA Teams to include:

1. arrangements for visits to 2 or 3 different craniofacial centers, with the emphasis on "team" management.

2. arrangement for lodging and meals at the Host centers.

3. assistance with travel arrangements between Host centers

IV. Responsibilities of Visiting Scholar Host Centers (see guidelines)

A. Provide Statement in advance of visiting scholar’s visit describing uniqueness of team’s organization.

B. Provide transportation, meals and lodging for the Visiting Scholar. Centers are encouraged to contact the ACPA office if advice is needed on local arrangements for the VS.

C. Preferably host the Visiting Scholar during a time when a team conference and/or cleft/craniofacial clinic will be held.

D. Ascertain and focus on the clinical and educational needs as identified by the Visiting Scholar and his/her sponsor.