Close Concerns is a healthcare information company focused on diabetes and obesity, dedicated to improving patient outcomes by educating researchers, business leaders, and healthcare providers about cutting-edge diabetes and obesity news and research. We publish a subscription news service, Closer Look, which provides up-to-the-minute analysis on events in the diabetes and obesity fields. Our subscribers include a wide range of companies and nonprofit organizations in the diabetes and obesity arenas. We also advise leaders in these fields on a variety of strategic issues, ranging from new product introductions to primary market research with patients and healthcare providers. The company is led by Kelly Close (Amherst ’90, Harvard Business School ’95) and includes 11 full-time employees, as well as a number of external contributors and advisors. Over 60 Dartmouth students have participated in our "Dartmouth Fellows" program, established in 2012 by Jess Dong '12.
The Dartmouth Fellow position is ideal for someone with a significant science or healthcare background and interest, or experience working in these areas; additional interest in public health and/or business is also appropriate. The position is ~10-12 weeks in duration and is offered every academic quarter to one-two Dartmouth students; this position will begin around the start of the Fall 2024 term, and exact dates are flexible (we are also accepting applications for the Winter 2025, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms to assist with academic planning). While we are cognizant of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have a strong preference that the Fellowship is completed in San Francisco, CA. Dartmouth Fellows assume significant responsibility and autonomy at Close Concerns while working closely with one or two people in the company, often have the opportunity to cover academic meetings, and sometimes complete independent projects or lead journal publications. Successful Dartmouth Fellows receive bonuses for their strong performance, and there is the possibility of being extended a full-time offer following graduation.
The Dartmouth Fellow position entails a wide range of projects, tasks, and opportunities:
TO APPLY:
In addition to the question fields in our online application, please attach the following as a single merged PDF document in the "Resume" field:
Requirements
Not required, but desirable:
Benefits
For San Francisco-based interns, benefits include:
For more information on Close Concerns, see www.closeconcerns.com.
Comments from Past Dartmouth Fellows
When I started as a Dartmouth Fellow, I had nothing but a hazy idea of what insulin and blood glucose monitoring really were. As I reflect on my ten weeks at Close Concerns, I am now filled to the brim with knowledge, passion, and deep appreciation for the world of diabetes. Every day at Close Concerns, I learned something new – after all, this is a newsroom, and each morning starts with a discussion of the most cutting-edge developments in this field. The Dartmouth Fellow role enabled me to engage with industry, academia, and clinical work in a way that few other opportunities would be able to do, and I was entrusted with immense responsibility from my very first day. Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege to attend presentations by renowned diabetes experts, write reports on innovative research developments, meet one-on-one with key opinion leaders, listen in on earnings calls from major industry leaders, and so much more. Close Concerns truly doesn’t waste a second before offering the Dartmouth Fellow opportunities that are deeply meaningful and rewarding – and given that the Close Concerns team is small and close-knit, your work has an immediate, appreciable impact. As I closed out my time at Close Concerns, I realized what a joy and honor it was to learn from and work with such an inspiring, energizing team. Kelly always says that, simply put, Close Concerns seeks to “make people smarter about diabetes,” and I am proud to say that I have achieved that in my time here. After ten weeks, I can confidently say that I am a much smarter person because of everything I learned while at 804 Haight. – Christina Zhao (Dartmouth College '25)
Being a Dartmouth Fellow with Close Concerns is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in an industry that we don’t receive much exposure to at Dartmouth. As a Dartmouth Fellow, I primarily assisted Close Concerns with its W!LD initiative, a program working to champion women leaders in and around diabetes, and was privileged to be able to contribute to this meaningful work. Over the course of ten weeks, I helped to plan one of their quarterly events at the ADA Sci Sessions in San Diego, revamp the W!LD website, and co-lead meetings with executives at companies sponsoring W!LD. Spontaneity is the word to best describe my time as a DF because Close Concerns is a dynamic working environment -- I could be scoping out event sites in San Diego on one day and covering a conference on Social Determinants of Health in Washington, D.C. and meeting a former head of ADA on another! Close Concerns is specialized but also wide-ranging, perfect for someone still developing their interest in diabetes. My time in San Francisco gave me countless opportunities to grow as a writer and to learn how diabetes technology and therapeutics industries operate. If you want to learn about diabetes, contribute to an incredible organization, and engage with a brilliant, dedicated, and compassionate team, I strongly recommend Close Concerns! – Jeremy Alkire (Dartmouth College '24)
Working at Close Concerns as a Dartmouth Fellow was one of the most valuable and enriching learning experiences I have had so far. From covering professional conferences in and around diabetes, observing team interviews with esteemed endocrinologists and industry leaders in diabetes, and conducting research for a publication, Close Concerns provided me with many opportunities to learn, gain valuable writing experience, and challenge myself to think critically and creatively. I leave Close Concerns more knowledgeable, educated, well-rounded, and passionate about working in health. It was an absolute honor and privilege to have worked alongside and learned from such brilliant, passionate people. I could not be prouder of my time at Close Concerns. – Alan Hatch (Dartmouth College ’25)
Being a Dartmouth Fellow at Close Concerns was an incredibly rewarding experience. As a pre-medical student at Dartmouth, I’ve been lucky enough utilize many of the opportunities the school provides, including undergraduate research and pre-professional clubs. However, the piece that was missing was an in-depth engagement with the industry side of medicine. At Close Concerns, I was lucky enough to attend virtual conferences and earnings calls where I could listen to high-level executives at diabetes tech and therapy companies speak about their new products and their financial health. The associates at Close Concerns were incredibly kind and helpful as I learned about the world of diabetes business – they patiently taught me about the terminology that industry leaders use, the best way to write up talks I listened to, and how to approach learning about diabetes in new ways. I’ve also worked closely with some team members on W!LD, Close Concerns’ initiative to increase women leadership in diabetes. I leave Close Concerns with a renewed passion for medicine and am excited and inspired to continue learning about the diabetes industry in the future. – Anahita Kodali (Dartmouth College ’23)
My time at Close Concerns was incredibly rewarding. From the very beginning, I was given high levels of responsibility and assigned tasks that felt very meaningful for my own learning, and for the production of Closer Look, the company’s newsletter. I came in with very limited knowledge about diabetes that did not go beyond a basic understanding of the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. I can now confidently say that my time at Close Concerns strengthened my understanding of the diabetes landscape incredibly. Not only did I learn much more about the molecular mechanisms of the disease and the drugs in development, but I also learned about how vast the diabetes industry is and how a variety of stakeholders are engaged. Close Concerns opened my eyes to the possibility of career paths related to medicine that go beyond just being a physician. Through meetings, conferences, and lectures, I was able to meet incredibly inspiring physicians and executives that are actively engaged in the diabetes industry. Every day at Close Concerns was an adventure and an opportunity for new learnings and experiences. For example, some days, I’d be assigned to attend conferences, where I’d listen to leaders in the diabetes industry talk about clinical trials and drug development, personalized medicine, or their best approaches to treat diabetes and its associated comorbidities. Other days, I’d write articles about these conferences. I was given the opportunity to attend in-person conferences, which gave me the privilege of networking with many of the KOLs I had listened to previously, or whose work I found to be very interesting. To make the most out of your experience at Close Concerns, I think it is extremely important to be flexible, versatile, and open. CC does incredibly meaningful work for the diabetes community, and we have the opportunity to assist in this meaningful work. If you have a genuine interest in diabetes (or more broadly real-world medicine) and are excited by dynamic and challenging environments, Close Concerns will be a great opportunity! I cherish my time with CC very much, and tell all my friends, peers, and classmates about my experience with the company. Personally, it solidified my desire to be a physician, but also opened so many possible career paths I could pursue in conjunction to medicine. I grew very fond of the CC community as well, given that it’s a small-er company. I can confidently assert that your time at Close Concerns will be very enriching and informative. Make the most out of it. – Valentina Fernandez (Dartmouth College ’24)
As a Dartmouth Fellow at Close Concerns, every day was a new learning experience. I honed my writing skills, met one-on-one with leading experts in the diabetes landscape, and jumped into the deep end of diabetes technology and therapy. I gained an appreciation and better understanding of clinical trials, using what I had learned of the microsciences in Dartmouth’s classrooms to shed light on the macroscience of how to solve the burgeoning diabetes and obesity crises. Close Concerns sent me to conferences where I was at the nexus of clinical innovation - the “room where it happened,” per se. Thank you to the team at Close Concerns for this unforgettable experience that will undoubtedly shape my future career in healthcare; I have no doubt that this program and company will only become more relevant and invaluable in the coming years. – Annaliese OuYang (Dartmouth College ’23)
Working at Close Concerns granted me the opportunity to further grasp the challenges of diabetes land earn about biopharmaceutical advancements as they are happening. Through interviews and seminars with business executives and healthcare professionals at the top of their field, I learned so much about the different sectors of public health. I was also able to contribute to the empowerment of women in the diabetes health field via Close Concerns’ W!LD initiative. The entire Close Concerns team is incredibly passionate about what they do and are very supportive one another. This fellowship truly cultivates an environment for professional, educational, and personal growth. As I continue my pre-health journey, I carry with me my further developed research, organizational, and communication skills, as well as my nourished passion for improving the healthcare system in America. — Sara Fragione (Dartmouth College ’23)
At Close Concerns, I learned so much about the power of therapies and technology to transform diabetes care. As the sibling of someone with type 1, it was great to gain an understanding of the newest treatment approaches that can improve the lives of people with diabetes. One of my favorite parts about working at Close Concerns is getting to be a part of a team of smart, interesting people who are dedicated to the mission of making people smarter about diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity. By attending conferences, I was exposed to a variety of stories that opened my eyes to how these diseases impact people globally. I’m so thankful to Close Concerns for this fantastic experience which will guide my future journey in healthcare. – Ali Dickstein (Dartmouth College ’22)
While working at Close Concerns, I learned so much about diabetes by attending conferences with speakers at the cutting edge of the field and listening to the lived experiences of colleagues who have lived with type 1 diabetes for years. Before taking this role, I did not realize how many hundreds of additional decisions people with diabetes must make each day. Working at Close Concerns has been rewarding as well as a great educational experience. The diabetes industry is constantly evolving, so there is always something to report on. As a Dartmouth Fellow, you are given a lot of responsibility and can work on a large range of different projects. Within my first five weeks, I got to report on clinical trials involving new medications that could greatly impact patient treatment plans, helped lead a meeting with sponsors for Close Concern’s program for female empowerment within the diabetes industry, and wrote a letter to top endocrinologists with feedback on how to improve their new guidelines for type 1 diabetes management, which will ultimately help primary care providers treat their patients. – Talia Pikounis (Dartmouth College ’22)
The Dartmouth Fellow program at Close Concerns offers an incredibly unique opportunity that I believe is hard to replicate elsewhere. Involving both healthcare and business, the role provides an exciting amount of responsibility, involves travel near and far, and provides exposure to leading clinical trials – all while working with brilliant people. As a Dartmouth Fellow, I feel I am able to make an impact in the company and contribute to a wide range of projects. The role is dynamic; you never are left doing the same thing. The small size of the company allows Fellows to build relationships with Associates and management. I am appreciative of the exposure to new health technology/policy I have gained through this role. As a Fellow, you are given significant support, responsibility, and flexibility to create meaningful experiences during your time here and afterwards. I love the motto of learning that runs through the core of Close Concerns. – Helen Horan (Dartmouth College ’22)
My time working as the first remote Dartmouth Fellow proved to be an equally valuable and educational experience. Attending conferences virtually allowed me to go to more sessions and learn from leaders in the industry about how clinicians can improve the patient experience. This role was actually a perfect fit during these unprecedented times because the work could be easily done remotely. I still felt like I was a part of the Close Concerns family, and everyone has been so supportive and understanding while working from home. I am confident that the experiences I have had as the Dartmouth Fellow have prepared me for a future career in medicine professionally and academically for years to come. – Cindy Takigawa (Dartmouth College ’21)
My time at Close Concerns was one of the most rewarding experiences during my undergraduate experience. From the first day, you are given an incredible amount of responsibility and hit the ground running. From attending conferences, writing articles, and speaking with key opinion leaders, just to name a few, every day was different. As someone who has had type 1 diabetes for over 14 years, I was surprised and amazed at the amount that I did not know and how much I was able to learn in a short amount of time. Along with the incredible work and educational experience, the people truly made the internship so much more! – Peninah Benjamin (Dartmouth College ’20)
My time at Close Concerns has been one of the most valuable experiences I have had in my undergraduate career. I had so many exciting opportunities to not only learn about, but also interact with many different players within medicine and public health. As a Dartmouth Fellow, you are given the chance to really make a difference in a company that has huge influence within the field – an opportunity difficult to come by as an undergraduate student. – Melissa An (Dartmouth College ’14; Close Concerns Full Time Associate 2014-2016)
Working at Close Concerns provided an inside look at aspects of the healthcare field that undergraduate classes at Dartmouth do not touch on. I acquired a holistic understanding of the economics, technological advancements, and newest drug developments in the fields of diabetes and obesity. I enjoyed interacting with key opinion leaders and traveling both nationally and internationally to attend conferences. Most of all, I appreciated the family atmosphere in the office and the newly installed walking treadmill desk. – Marissa Lynn (Dartmouth College ’13, Fulbright Scholar in South Korea)
I really valued the autonomy that I was given as a Dartmouth Fellow, as well as the synergistic working environment. I felt that I had full control over my projects and was given the opportunity to focus on a specific aspect of the company that most interested me. Furthermore, the working environment was a supportive one in which everyone got feedback and help from each other, making it much easier to tackle large projects and work together with other Close Concerns team members. – Adam Kraus (Dartmouth College ’14, Mount Sinai School of Medicine ‘19)
My time as a Dartmouth Fellow has given me incredible insight into the challenges associated with treating chronic disease, and I now have a much better understanding of how the different parts of our healthcare system fit together. Working alongside an amazing team of remarkably intelligent and driven individuals, I learned a great deal about medicine and public health as well as the current efforts being made to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. In addition, I was given the freedom and autonomy to shape various projects, and I really valued the opportunity to contribute to the overall mission of Close Concerns in a meaningful way. Working as a Dartmouth Fellow is a very unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, and I feel very lucky to have been welcomed into the Close Concerns family for an amazing ten weeks. – Leda Espinoza (Dartmouth College ’16)
Comments from Close Concerns Associate Alumni!
Associates at Close Concerns have more independence and responsibility than almost any other graduates fresh out of college. The job is exciting, fast-paced, and the best testing ground I could imagine for learning how to become successful in any field. I have drawn upon the skills I learned at Close Concerns to succeed in medical school and will undoubtedly continue to do so for the rest of my career, both as a clinician and as someone who plans to pursue clinical research. – Jenny Jin (Harvard College ’06, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine ’12, current resident at Harvard, orthopedic surgery)
Close Concerns has given me both a deep and broad understanding of the numerous forces and players that shape health, from researchers to physicians, payors, and pharmacy benefit managers. At Close Concerns, I have had the chance to travel to diabetes conferences around the US and the world, speak with key diabetes thought leaders, pursue topics of personal interest related to diabetes, and even write a 160-page book about type 1 diabetes for patients and families. As an associate at Close Concerns you are given both significant responsibility and latitude, and as a result grow immensely, personally and professionally. It is a job that will engage and challenge you in ways that provide true, life-long rewards. – Lisa Rotenstein (Harvard College '11, Harvard Medical School ’16)
It is difficult to put into words how much I learned while working at Close Concerns. Beyond exposure to a side of healthcare, medicine, and business that few of my peers have experienced, I learned a great deal amount about myself. I found the work both invigorating and challenging and I gained confidence in myself and my abilities that I know is going to make me a better physician and a better human being. – Jessica Swienckowski (Vassar College '08, Dartmouth Medical School ’14 and Chair of the AAMC Organization of Student Representatives)
While I certainly value the skills I learned at Close Concerns, I am most appreciative of the perspective I gained. The work gave me an exhaustive understanding of the many forces driving medical care and health policy – where those forces succeed and where they fall short. My experiences at Close Concerns have fueled my own passion to be persistent, resourceful, and dedicated in my own career. – Eric Chang (Pomona College '09, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine ’14, current resident at UCLA, radiation oncology)
The experience of working at Close Concerns ended up teaching me more than I could have imagined. In brief, my experience has framed my medical career and helped shape my life goals. Throughout medical school I have still drawn upon the skills and knowledge I learned, and I know that these skills and the relationships I made through Close Concerns will last a lifetime. – Mark Yarchoan (Amherst College ’07, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine ’12, current resident at University of Pennsylvania, internal medicine)
While at Close Concerns I mastered the art of finding creative solutions to tough problems. This confidence is a powerful asset to have when facing seemingly impossible challenges. – Kaku Armah (Amherst College ’07, currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh)
My one-year at Close Concerns gave me a confidence, maturity, perspective, and capability uncommon in my peers at medical school. The small company has a unique structure that allows associates to learn directly from principals, who are inspiring, talented, and passionate businesspeople, and to feel comfortable contributing in creative and powerful ways. – Dan Belkin (Amherst College ’06, Weill Cornell Medical College ’12, current resident at University of Pennsylvania, internal medicine)
Simply put, I loved working at Close Concerns because I was able to work with incredibly bright, driven and generally fun people. Coming from finance, it was a breath of fresh air to be able to actually make something happen when I had a good idea—I really felt like I was making an actual impact with my work. – Jen Lesser(Amherst College ’07, Harvard Business School Class of 2013)
Graduating from Amherst College, I had many opportunities to work in consulting with top firms. I chose Close Concerns because I saw tremendous opportunities in a growing organization with a meaningful social purpose and mentoring by principals I could learn from and respect. Every one of my hopes was surpassed. – Katelyn Gamson (Amherst College ’04, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine ’10, current resident at CPMC, internal medicine)
In the past two years I have learned – deeply and continuously – about how companies and clinicians are addressing the urgent worldwide epidemic of diabetes; how to build a successful small business; and how to think creatively and cooperatively in times of uncertainty. I consider myself supremely lucky for the skills I have honed and friendships I have formed at Close Concerns. – Joseph Shivers (Harvard College ’10, Columbia University College of Physicians & Scientists ’17)
•Last updated on Jan 13, 2017
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