Awards
Young Access Professional Scholars
Investing in the future of patient access.
The Young Access Professional Scholars (YAPS) Program is a selective, year-long professional development and mentorship experience for emerging leaders in patient access.
Selected Scholars are paired with an experienced patient access leader, participate in quarterly professional development programming, and receive complimentary registration to the Patient Access Collaborative Annual Symposium.
YAPS is designed to help emerging professionals strengthen their leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain exposure to the broader patient access community.
Prospective Scholars
The YAPS Experience
The YAPS Program runs from January through December and combines one-to-one mentorship with structured professional development throughout the year.
-
Q1
Orientation and Leadership Goal Setting
Scholars begin the program by identifying professional development priorities and establishing goals with their mentor. The year opens with a virtual orientation for Scholars and mentors, including a leadership conversation focused on building a career and growing as a leader in patient access.
- Complete a professional self-assessment
- Establish development goals
- Create a Mentoring Partnership Agreement with your mentor
-
Q2
Annual Symposium Experience
The Annual Symposium serves as the primary in-person experience of the program. Scholars receive complimentary registration to the 2027 Patient Access Collaborative Annual Symposium in Richmond, Virginia, May 10–14, 2027.
During the Symposium, Scholars participate in educational sessions, networking opportunities, and dedicated engagement with mentors and leaders from across the patient access community. Following the Symposium, Scholars identify a meaningful connection, key learning, and topic they want to continue exploring with their mentor.
Complimentary registration covers the Symposium registration fee only. Scholars and/or their sponsoring organizations are responsible for travel, lodging, meals outside of those included with registration, and other related expenses.
-
Q3
Access Leadership Challenge
Each Scholar identifies a challenge from their organization or an area of patient access they want to explore. With support from their mentor, Scholars develop a concise case that defines the challenge, considers relevant context and contributing factors, and proposes a potential recommendation or next step.
Scholars present their Access Leadership Challenge during a virtual YAPS Scholar Roundtable and receive feedback from peers, mentors, and Patient Access Collaborative leaders.
-
Q4
Leadership Reflection and Career Development
Scholars reflect on the goals they established at the beginning of the year, assess their progress, and identify priorities for the next stage of their professional development. The program concludes with a virtual closing session focused on leadership growth and career development. Scholars also develop a 12-month professional development plan.
Scholars who successfully complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion.
Who Should Apply?
YAPS is designed for emerging professionals who are building a career in patient access.
Applicants should:
- Work in patient access or in a role closely connected to improving ambulatory access
- Be in the early stages of their patient access career or professional leadership journey
- Demonstrate a strong interest in continued growth within the field
- Be able to participate throughout the full January–December program
- Have organizational support to attend the Annual Symposium and cover associated travel and lodging expenses
Applicants do not need to hold a formal leadership title.
2027 Application Timeline
- Oct 1, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 31, 2026 Applications close
- Nov 2026 Application review and finalist interviews
- Dec 2026 Scholar selection and mentor matching
- Jan 2027 Program begins
Current Scholars
Welcome to the YAPS Program
This section serves as the central resource hub for current Scholars throughout the year.
Scholar Resources
These resources are available to Patient Access Collaborative members. You will be asked to log in.
-
YAPS Mentor + Scholar Guide
Guidance for building and maintaining a successful mentoring relationship.
Open the Guide › -
YAPS Mentoring Partnership Agreement
Completed by each Scholar and mentor at the beginning of the program to establish goals, expectations, communication preferences, and confidentiality.
Open the Agreement › -
YAPS Scholar Workbook
The primary workbook for quarterly YAPS activities, including goal setting, Symposium reflection, the Access Leadership Challenge, and year-end professional development planning.
Open the Workbook › -
YAPS Midpoint Evaluation
A brief check-in following the Annual Symposium to assess the mentoring relationship and identify where additional support may be helpful.
Open the Evaluation › -
YAPS Year-End Evaluation
A brief evaluation of the overall program and mentoring experience.
Open the Evaluation ›
Your Role as a Scholar
YAPS Scholars are expected to take an active role in their professional development and mentoring relationship. Throughout the year, Scholars will:
- Participate in quarterly YAPS programming
- Meet with their mentor at least once each quarter
- Take the lead in scheduling and preparing for mentor conversations
- Establish and work toward professional development goals
- Attend the Annual Symposium
- Complete the Access Leadership Challenge
- Complete a year-end reflection and 12-month professional development plan
For current Scholars who have questions about the program.
Current Mentors
Thank you for investing in the next generation of patient access leaders
YAPS mentors are paired with an emerging professional for the calendar year and provide perspective, feedback, encouragement, and guidance as Scholars work through career goals, leadership questions, and patient access challenges.
Mentor Resources
These resources are available to Patient Access Collaborative members. You will be asked to log in.
-
YAPS Mentor + Scholar Guide
An overview of the mentoring relationship, participant responsibilities, suggested meeting structure, and quarterly conversation prompts.
Open the Guide › -
YAPS Mentoring Partnership Agreement
Completed by the mentor and Scholar together at the beginning of the program.
Open the Agreement › -
YAPS Scholar Workbook
Provides mentors visibility into the quarterly activities and development work Scholars will complete throughout the year.
Open the Workbook › -
Mentor Midpoint Evaluation
A brief check-in to assess how the mentoring relationship is progressing and identify any support that may be helpful.
Open the Evaluation › -
Mentor Year-End Evaluation
A brief evaluation of the mentoring experience and recommendations for future YAPS cohorts.
Open the Evaluation ›
Mentor Commitment
YAPS mentors are asked to:
- Participate in the program orientation
- Complete a Mentoring Partnership Agreement with their Scholar
- Meet individually with their Scholar at least once each quarter
- Help the Scholar establish and refine professional development goals
- Provide feedback and perspective on career development and leadership
- Support the Scholar's Access Leadership Challenge
- Connect in person during the Annual Symposium when possible
- Participate in brief midpoint and year-end evaluations
The Scholar is expected to take primary responsibility for scheduling meetings and preparing topics for discussion. The mentor's role is to provide perspective, ask thoughtful questions, share relevant experience, and support the Scholar's continued growth.
Interested in Becoming a YAPS Mentor?
We welcome interest from experienced patient access leaders who want to support the growth of emerging professionals and invest in the future of the field.