Frequently Asked Questions

Open to both clinical and non-clinical professionals, individuals applying for this professional designation have expertise caring for those people and communities that have been minoritized, marginalized, or otherwise faced barriers to accessing healthcare and related services; a deep understanding of the social, systemic, and historical factors that disrupt access to care for people and communities; and a high-level of engagement with ACU and its broader community.

The goal of the program is to recognize and distinguish those that have shown a devotion and exceptional dedication to providing equitable, impactful care to the underserved.

ACU’s Board of Directors initiated the development of the program. With the support of ACU staff members, a Task Force composed of ACU members from a wide range of different roles informed the development of the program to ensure its relevance and applicability. 

• New Fellows will be announced annually in a special edition of ACU’s Clinician & Community newsletter.
• ACU will hold a formal Induction Ceremony at the ACU Annual Conference.
• Designees will be listed in an ACU Roster of Fellows.
• Fellows may use the acronym “FACU” as a credential suffix (similar to other professional designations).
• Fellows may denote their recognition status on professional communications and materials.
• Fellows receive first consideration in applications to serve on committees, task forces, and other ACU program work where their expertise is applicable.
• Fellows will be considered first for participation in ACU webinars or live events when their subject matter expertise is appropriate to the goals of the project.

You are eligible for this honor if you have been an ACU individual member for at least one year prior to April 15th or employed by an organization that has maintained an organizational membership for at least 2 years prior to May 31st. 

Note: Upon receiving the designation of Fellow of ACU, all fellows must become individual members if they received membership through their organization.  

Every two years, Fellows will have to submit an attestation of continued work in all three core categories: commitment, expertise, and engagement with ACU.  During those two years, Fellows of ACU must maintain their ACU individual membership or must continue to work at an organization that has maintained its organizational membership. 

The attestation form link will be made available in 2026 on the Fellowship webpage.

As this professional designation is open to a wide range of different roles and career paths at differing pay grades, fees will be on a sliding scale and on the honor system.  The initial application fees are:

• $300: Annual income is over $200,000
• $200: Annual income is over $100,000 but less than $200,000
• $100: Annual income is over $50,000 but less than $100,000
• $50: Annual income is $50,000 or below

Renewal fees are also income-based and on the honor system. The renewal fees will be:

• $100: Annual income is over $200,000
• $75: Annual income is over $100,000 but less than $200,000
• $50: Annual income is over $50,000 but less than $100,000
• $25: Annual income is $50,000 or below 

Please note: ACU is utilizing a sliding fee scale to ensure a fair and equitable fee structure.  We will not track your income level or use this information in any way. 

Applicants should gather the following information prior to application:

1. Statement of interest for becoming a Fellow of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved
2. A brief bio-sketch and headshot
3. A recent copy of your resume or CV
4. A Professional Reference Letter, uploaded as a PDF or Word Doc on the application form. A template and instructions for your letter writer are available here. 
5. A list of all training and/or education that shows significant, vested interest in expanding one’s knowledge in concepts, principles, and practices relevant to caring for the underserved.
6. A list of all ACU webinars, trainings, events, or other educational offerings attended from the last year. 

The due date is 23:59:59 PM PT on May 31st.  We recommend contacting your professional reference to solicit a reference letter no later than March 15th to give them adequate time to compose a letter and provide it to you.

Your reference should be someone in a supervisory or leadership role at your organization, preferably a direct supervisor who can attest to your work and knowledge. If your reference is from outside the organization where you work, they should be at a similar or higher level within their own organization, and someone who is able and willing to speak in detail to your suitability for this Fellowship. Your reference should not be a relative or direct report/employee.

If you have any questions about the application, please contact ACU Program Director Luke Ertle at least two weeks prior to the application deadline, May 31st. That way, we have ample time to respond. 

The in-person induction ceremony will be held each year at ACU’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC.  The conference is usually at the end of July or beginning of August (dates are posted on the ACU website). Hard copy certificates will be mailed out following the ACU conference for those not able to attend the in-person induction ceremony.

All application fees are non-refundable.  However, if you are not selected, ACU will provide feedback on how to improve your application and carry over your application fees to the following application period. If you are unsure whether your experience(s) will count, we encourage you to submit any questions at least two weeks prior to the application deadline. Please contact ACU Program Director Luke Ertle if you have any questions. 

ACU will hold an application window each year.  Please be on the lookout for updates in early 2025.