SHPYP is celebrating two decades of building community and elevating early-career professionals, and we invite you to celebrate with us.
Twenty Years of Impact
Since 2006, the Society of Health Policy Young Professionals (SHPYP) has been home to the next generation of health policy talent.
What started as informal happy hour gatherings has grown into something none of us could have predicted: a thriving, nonpartisan community of over 600 advocates, analysts, researchers, and leaders bound not just by a shared field, but by genuine friendship and a belief that this work matters.
For twenty years, SHPYP has been guided by three pillars: building lasting community, delivering tailored personal and professional development, and elevating young professionals to lead. Together, these commitments have shaped careers, forged friendships, and changed how the health policy field grows and who gets to lead it.
Our members have gone on to work at federal agencies, on Capitol Hill, in think tanks, in advocacy, and across the private sector. All will tell you the same thing: SHPYP was where they found their friends, found jobs, and found community. We’ve broken down silos, opened doors, and built a community where you don’t have to wait to make your mark.
Twenty years in, we’re still volunteer-led, still nonpartisan, and still showing up for each other. Every event, every introduction, and every opportunity is powered by members who believe in this community deeply enough to give their time to it.
“SHPYP succeeds when its members succeed. Here’s to the next twenty years. There’s a place for you here.“
400+ events hosted
600+ members
20 years of community
This Is Where It Happens — Twenty Years of Health Policy Community
Featured Events
SHPYP 20th Anniversary Gala
20th Anniversary Gala
This special anniversary gala will bring together professionals from across the health policy community for a night of connection, reflection, and celebration. The program will feature remarks from distinguished speakers, recognition of SHPYP’s impact over the past 20 years, and opportunities to engage with peers and leaders in the field.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the formal nature of the evening, with cocktail or black-tie attire recommended. Tickets include access to the full evening program, as well as food and an open bar.
We look forward to celebrating 20 years with our community and honoring the people and partnerships that have shaped SHPYP’s legacy!
Please reach out to info@dchealthpolicy.org with any questions.
SHPYP Calendar
Summer Kickoff Happy Hour
Come join SHPYP for a happy hour, sponsored by the HIMSS Foundation!
We’re excited to start off the summer with a fun networking event! This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your colleagues and friends to the SHPYP community.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Event Details
📅 Thursday, June 11
🕕 6:30 – 8:30 PM ET
📍Electric Cool-Aid DC
20th Anniversary Gala Countdown
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“One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had with SHPYP was attending my very first event…As someone new to government relations consulting, I gained invaluable insight into business development, leadership, and the persistence it takes to grow in this field.”
Alana Lerer, SHPYP Member
“You should get involved as a young professional because coming to DC you really need connections and relationships. I’ve gotten a lot of my prior roles through these connections so this is a really great way to do it.”
“I’m now 15 years into my career in health policy and so many of the relationships I have today are with people I met for the first time at a SHPYP event. That home base of knowing people that are a phone call away working on every single issue under the sun in health policy has been invaluable for me throughout my entire career.”
Tim Dube, SHPYP Advisory Board Member
“There’s no one else in DC where people across the health policy spectrum can get together and learn about different job opportunities, different ways of working, different industries than this one, this is the only place where this happens.”.”
“SHPYP events and the networking aspect is so important in order for us to transform health care. The young people coming up, they really run this city. It’s about building connection and sharing education and sharing experiences to help improve the healthcare system in the long run.”