Digital Health Workforce Initiative

Important Information: Action Required

Dear Joe Cusack,

Congratulations! You have been chosen to take part in the Digital Health Workforce Initiative program.

The Teacher Cohort will be held Monday through Friday, June 22 - July 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Rice University.

Program Location

The program will be held in:

Duncan Hall - SYM 1020
Rice University
Building 46 on the downloadable campus map

Action Required

Please read all information carefully. This email contains important program details, deadlines, required forms, attendance rules, and parking instructions.

Virtual Orientation

Participants must attend one of the virtual orientation sessions. Both sessions will cover the same content, and there will not be a recording.

May 21, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
May 26, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Zoom Link:
Join Virtual Orientation

NSF ETAP Registration

Since the Digital Health Workforce Initiative is funded by the National Science Foundation, all participants are required to complete a short questionnaire.

Participants must click Apply Now at the link below:

NSF ETAP Application Link

You will be prompted to create an account and complete the questions.

NSF ETAP Registration must be completed by May 29, 2026.

Background Check and Youth Safety Training

Participants will receive an email from Ideal Logic with instructions to complete the following:

Background check
Youth safety training
Rice Honor Code of Conduct

These steps are mandatory. The background check may take time to process, so participants should complete these items as soon as possible.

Background check and youth safety training must be completed by May 29, 2026.

Supplier ID and W-9 Form

Each participant must register with Rice as a supplier in order to receive the program stipend.

Participants will receive an email invitation from:

suppliers@rice.edu

Use the secure link in that email to complete the supplier registration form. Participants must complete their profile and upload a completed and signed Tax Identification Form, such as a W-9 or W-8.

For security reasons, do not email your W-9 form to RSTEM. Only upload the W-9 using the secure link sent from suppliers@rice.edu.

Failure to upload the W-9 by June 1, 2026 may result in stipend delays.

Additional Program Details

Lunch will be provided.
Participants with specific dietary restrictions may bring their own meals.
Participants should bring a personal laptop if they have one.
A laptop is not required, but past participants found it useful for saving work.
The software used is not Chromebook compatible.
District-owned devices may prevent software downloads.

Attendance Requirements

Selected applicants must attend the full two-week Digital Health Workforce Initiative program and all related academic events.

Event	Date / Time
Virtual Orientation	May 21 or May 26, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Teacher Program Dates	June 22 - July 2, 2026
Academic Session	September 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Academic Session	October 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Academic Session	November 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Academic Session	January 23, 2027, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Academic Session	February 20, 2027, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Academic Session	April 10, 2027, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Innovator Showcase	April 17, 2027, Time TBA

Full Attendance Policy

Participation requires full attendance for the entire two-week summer program and all academic sessions. All participants must attend every daily session.

If an accepted participant is absent from any session:

Their acceptance into the Digital Health Workforce Initiative program will be immediately revoked.
They will no longer be permitted to attend the remaining sessions.
They will not receive certification of participation.

Attendance Exception Policy

Exceptions to the attendance requirement will be considered only in the case of:

A documented medical emergency
An unforeseen act of God, such as a natural disaster or extreme weather event
Another unavoidable circumstance

Participants must notify program staff by email at stem@rice.edu no later than 24 hours before the absence, or as soon as reasonably possible under the circumstances. Appropriate documentation must also be provided.

Approval of an exception is at the sole discretion of program leadership and does not guarantee reinstatement or continuation in the program.

Parking Information

Parking will be available in the Founder’s Court South Visitor Lot. A credit or debit card is required to enter the lot, but parking validations will be provided to cover the cost.

When exiting the parking lot, insert the validation before inserting your card. If the card is inserted first, you may be charged, and reimbursement may not be available.

Rice Interactive Campus Map:
Rice University Interactive Map

Directions to Founders Court South Visitor Lot

Enter campus through Entrance 1 off Main Street.
Continue straight until you reach the stop sign.
Turn left.
Follow the curve and turn into the Founders Court South Visitor Lot.
There are two entrances into the lot.

Rice Interactive Map to Founders Lot:
Founders Lot Map

Map Key

Yellow Star: Duncan Hall classroom destination
Red Box with P: Parking lot for visitors
Blue Arrows: Directions to parking lot
Teal Arrows: Direction to the classroom

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions or concerns, contact:

Brittany Templeton
Email: bt36@rice.edu