October 9, 2026

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Daniel Skinner Named a Doctors For America 2026/27 Copello Fellow Program Director

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Doctors for America has announced the seventeen extraordinary leaders who will make up the 2026-27 Gene A. Copello Health Advocacy Fellowship program. The program is open to medical students, residents, practicing physicians, and retirees with a passion for making a difference in health advocacy. 

We are happy to announce that Daniel Skinner, PhD has been named 2026-27 Copello Health Advocacy Fellowship Program Co-Director. Dr. Skinner is a political scientist, health policy scholar, and Professor of Health Policy at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, located on the central Ohio campus. His work sits at the intersection of health policy, politics, and social medicine, with expertise spanning healthcare access, hospitals and community engagement, medical education, and health policy advocacy. He teaches medical and health professions students about health policy and politics, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of World Medical & Health Policy. Formerly, Dr. Skinner was Co-Director of the national Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship. He also hosts Prognosis Ohio, a weekly podcast focused on health and healthcare in Ohio. 

Dr. Skinner is passionate about helping physicians and health professionals understand and engage with the political and policy forces that shape healthcare. His work emphasizes the importance of principled physician involvement in policymaking, effective political communication, and reducing inequities in healthcare access and outcomes. Through his teaching, research, and leadership in health policy, he works to equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful, effective advocates. He is currently writing a book on the history of physician advocacy and activism, reflecting his broader commitment to understanding and strengthening the role of physicians in shaping health policy. 

Our Copello Fellows will meet monthly to learn from national experts and each other about advocacy, community organizing, media relations, writing and giving testimony, how to impactfully engage with legislators and more. Each member will also participate in a topic focussed area, showcasing their work at the end of their fellowship through a capstone presentation. 

For press inquiries, please contact Kyle Shields (kyle.shields@drsforamerica.org).

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About Doctors for America: Doctors for America (DFA) is a national movement of more than 40,000 physicians and medical students across all 50 states and every specialty who are committed to putting patients over politics. We mobilize and train clinicians to be effective advocates, equipping them with the skills to influence policy and lead change at both state and federal levels. Our work focuses on three core areas: expanding access to affordable care, strengthening community health and prevention, and advancing health justice and equity. Unlike many organizations, DFA does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, insurers, or for-profit healthcare corporations—ensuring that our voice remains independent, trusted, and grounded solely in what is best for patients. By uniting the trusted voices of doctors and medical trainees, DFA drives policy change, defends evidence-based care, and works to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X or Bluesky.