What is Fellowship?
Fellowship is a membership category offered by the 16 American Heart Association’s scientific councils. Fellowship recognizes leadership within the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) relative to cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Who can apply for AHA/ASA Fellowship?
Physicians, scientists and healthcare professionals with a major and productive interest in cardiovascular diseases and/or stroke whose accomplishments support the objectives of the AHA/ASA and meet stated criteria may apply for AHA/ASA Fellowship.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Fellowship, candidates must be active Premium Professional Plus or Premium Professional members of the AHA and affiliated with the respective scientific council at the time of nomination. Active member is described as a member whose dues are current.
Fellowship Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following minimum criteria to be considered for Fellowship in the AHA/ASA:
- Premium Professional Plus or Premium Professional member of the AHA/ASA affiliated with the scientific council for which he/she is applying at the time of submission.
- Have a sponsor who is an active Fellow affiliated with the scientific council for which the candidate is seeking Fellowship at the time of submission.
- Show evidence of an ongoing interest and contributions in cardiovascular diseases and/or stroke disease through research, education or patient care after completing training.
- Demonstrate significant and current involvement in the AHA/ASA at the local, affiliate and/or national level(s). Significant and current service to the AHA/ASA might include, but is not limited to, the following examples: a) Active participation on committees or boards at the AHA council, local, affiliate or national level; b) Participation and/or leadership in the areas of fund raising, e.g., Heart Walk and Heart Ball; advocacy, e.g., lobbying; education programs for professional and/or lay audiences; Get With The Guidelines; AHA/ASA writing groups; program or abstract grading committees for AHA Scientific Sessions or conferences; speakers bureau; Research Peer Review; or journal review for AHA scientific journals.
Other criteria defined by a particular scientific council also must be met to be considered for Fellowship.
Can international members apply for Fellowship?
Yes, Premium Professional Plus and Premium Professional members who permanently reside outside the United States and Canada may apply for Fellowship in the AHA/ASA. The criteria for election to International Fellowship are equivalent to those described for Fellows. Volunteer service can be demonstrated through activities in similar organizations/associations in their respective country/state, or through other avenues of community involvement as long as these activities are well documented and perceived as equivalent to those in the United States.
What are the benefits of Fellowship?
AHA/ASA Fellows receive the same benefits as Premium Professional members:
- Receipt of Connections, the quarterly AHA scientific councils newsletter, and other mailings relevant to council activities and programs.
- Reduced subscription rates for all AHA journals.
- Reduced registration fee to the AHA Scientific Sessions and other AHA/ASA sponsored conferences.
- Inclusion in and access to the Web-based membership directory.
- Entitlement to use the designation of Fellow of the AHA/ASA (FAHA). This designation reflects not only the professional stature of the Fellow, but also his/her record of valuable service to the association and the council.
- 8" X 11" Fellowship certificate suitable for framing.
- Complete roster of council Fellows (by request only)
Are there Fellowship maintenance requirements?
All Fellows are required to maintain their membership at the Premium Professional Plus or Premium Professional Level. Certain councils also require a print subscription to an AHA/ASA journal to maintain active Fellow status. Honorary and Emeritus Fellows are exempt from paying annual dues and journal subscription.
How To Apply For Fellowship
For Fellowship Nomination Form, complete instructions and criteria, please select the AHA/ASA scientific council with which you are affiliated/interested in applying for Fellowship:
Additional Questions
Please call (214) 706-1293 or e-mail professional.membership@heart.org.
