Roth Fellowship

Social workers are being utilized in integrated behavioral health settings more than ever before. As helping professionals already trained to understand individuals holistically, social workers play an essential and unique role in providing integrated care. The Roth fellowship will help you develop a deep understanding of the relationship between behavioral health (mental health, substance use) and physical health while completing your practicum placement with the largest healthcare provider in the region. 

“The Roth fellowship has allowed me to work in an integrated healthcare setting where I have been equipped with a team of mentors that support my growth as a social worker and have taught me specific skills for this setting. This fellowship has reignited my excitement for this field!” - Isabella Miller, 2024/2025 Roth Fellow

Application Deadline

March 3, 2025

Application Link

Roth Fellowship Perks

Participating in the Roth Fellowship offers students a multitude of valuable opportunities, including but not limited to the following:

Stipend: The Roth Fellowship provides students with a total stipend of $10,000 while they engage in their clinical practicum experience at the UPMC Health Plan. Eligible students will receive a stipend of $5,000 for the fall practicum experience and an additional $5,000 for the spring practicum experience.

Practicum Learning and Support: Participants will benefit from hands-on, community-based learning opportunities across various programs within the Health Plan. All Roth fellows have the chance to collaborate with the Roth practicum advisor and fellowship team to enhance their career development.

Professional Development Opportunities: The fellowship includes monthly seminars on integrated healthcare and social work topics and training sessions provided by UPMC.

Practicum Placement Options

The Roth fellow will complete a practicum placement with the UPMC Health Plan in a community-based team. Examples of practicum teams include the CCBH High-Risk Team, CHC Service Coordination, Pediatric Shift Care, and more! 

Participation Commitments

Students are required to:

  • Complete 720 hours of practicum work with the  UPMC Health Plan. 
  • Complete all paperwork, clearances, and training needed for the Health Plan.
  • Participate in evaluations and reports for the Roth fellowship and the UPMC Health Plan.
  • Mandatory attendance at all monthly seminars.

Read the 2020-2021 Annual Report

Eligibility

  • Second-year or advanced-standing, full-time students
  • Direct Practice Specalization
  • Willing to travel to different regions in Allegheny County. Travel is required for placement with the UPMC Health Plan, and having a car (or access to one) is required. 
  • Demonstrated strong academic performance. 

Application Requirements

  1. Completion of the Roth Application
  2. Resume
  3. Transcript
  4. Proof of Drivers License 
  5. Recommendation Contact Information 
  6. A statement of interest no longer than two pages answering the following:

            Speak to your experience and future desire to work in integrated healthcare, how you as an individual can contribute to being a part of an interdisciplinary team member, and how this fellowship will impact your career goals. 

Selection Process

  • The fellowship coordinator and practicum advisor will review applications.
  • The selection committee will contact those moving forward with a brief Zoom interview.
  • A select number of students will move forward with interviewing with the practicum instructors at the UPMC Health Plan via Zoom.
  • Final acceptance into this fellowship depends on the student’s interview and acceptance with a specific UPMC Health Plan program. 

Timeline

Application Deadline:                                   March 3

Review of Application Materials:                   March 1-March 31

Notification of Acceptance/Waitlist:               April 1

Candidate Acceptance Deadline:                  April 8

If there are unfilled positions, rolling applications will be accepted and reviewed from April to July.

Rolling application and waitlist notification: August 22nd.

Waitlist Policy

Once a student formally accepts a fellowship appointment, they will be removed from any other training program waitlist. If placed on the waitlist, a student may accept another fellowship opportunity but should notify the coordinator that they no longer wish to be considered for this fellowship.

Contact Information

Kelsey Ott-Sudik, MSW, LCSW 

Roth Program Coordinator                 

Email: KEO97@pitt.edu