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Administrative Fellowship Program
As one of the nation's leading health systems, teaching is core to The University of Kansas Health System’s mission and vision. We offer an Administrative Fellowship Program that provides emerging leaders with practical skills and experience to prepare you for the challenges of healthcare leadership.
The 18-month program offers system-level learning with projects focused on the health system's strategic initiatives. Additionally, you will gain understanding in daily operations during rotations and immersive experiences, with mentoring by our senior leaders.
Program overview
- Develops strong leaders in healthcare through a wide variety of experiences and project work
- Introduces you to the philosophy, mission and vision of the health system
- Provides an opportunity for executives and managers to apply coaching, learning and mentoring skills
- Analyzes the decision-making process at different levels of the organization
Program structure
During the first 12 months administrative fellows rotate through various functional areas and participate in projects based on the health system’s needs and the fellow’s knowledge, abilities and interests. To ensure broad exposure, fellows will spend roughly 3 months in each of the following rotations: Strategy and Finance, Hospital Operations, Health Professions, Ambulatory Operations, and Clinical Services. During rotations, fellows participate in committee meetings, clinical rotations and lean training and attend leadership meetings.
During the final 6 months, administrative fellows transition to the senior administrative fellow role, where they specialize in department/division level management that may include interim leadership roles, program development, project ownership and other responsibilities with meaningful accountability.
Throughout the fellowship, you will be expected to:
- Take part in substantive projects that foster development of verbal, interpersonal and analytical skills and allow for an opportunity to translate academic theory into practice
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the healthcare industry and the components of the organization
- Communicate information effectively, using the appropriate level of judgment, accuracy and courtesy with internal and external constituents
- Exhibit accuracy, attention to detail, consistency and an ability to meet multiple deadlines
- Show the ability to synthesize information and complete components of preliminary and final reports, including spreadsheets and financial analyses
- Exhibit a willingness to take on leadership roles and responsibilities
- Demonstrate effective management skills
Senior executive sponsors
Senior executive sponsors champion our program, providing mentoring and ensuring your participation in senior-level meetings and exposure to system-level operations.
Our senior executive sponsors are:

Doug Gaston
Senior vice president and chief financial officer

Tammy Peterman
President, Kansas City Division, executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer
Preceptors
Preceptors direct the program, meeting with you regularly and providing feedback and guidance. Preceptors create and manage our program’s structure, assign rotations and project work, and serve as a liaison between fellows and senior leaders.
Our preceptors are:
- Collin Cooper, senior director, strategic business planning
- Jeff Novorr, vice president, hospitality services
Salary and benefits
We offer a salary competitive with other national administrative fellowship programs and you will also be eligible for all health system employee benefits. This includes, but is not limited to, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance and retirement.
Application and selection
If you have completed the degree requirements from accredited schools for MHA, MHSA, MBA or equivalent graduate program(s) prior to July 1, 2024, you may apply to the program. Programs that require a residency or fellowship to earn their degree are permissible.
Interested applicants may apply directly with The University of Kansas Health System or submit an application through National Administrative Fellowship Centralized Application Service (NAFCAS) by September 29, 2023. We will only consider completed applications.
Applications must include:
- Cover letter
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement and essay response
- Official graduate school academic records
- 3 letters of recommendation
Informational webinar dates and times
Webinars will be hosted by current administrative fellows via Microsoft Teams on the dates indicated below. Please sign up using the following link and you will receive an invite to the event.
- Friday July 28, 2023, noon CDT
- Friday August 18, 2023, noon CDT
- Friday September 1, 2023, noon CDT
Timeline for the 2023 class selection includes:
- Application opens: June 8, 2023
- Application deadline: September 29, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
- Telephone interviews: October 3-6, 2023
- On-site interviews: October 18-19, 2023
- Offers extended: Following NAFCAS timeline
- Employment begins: Summer 2024

National Council on Administrative Fellowship
The Administrative Fellowship Program is provided in collaboration with the National Council on Administrative Fellowship. NCAF is a not-for-profit organization that works with programs around the country to ensure high-quality healthcare leadership and improved health for all. NCAF members include some of the nation's most respected hospitals and health systems.
Contact us
To learn more about The University of Kansas Health System’s Administrative Fellowship Program or application process, contact one of our current fellows:
Administrative Fellows
Senior Administrative Fellows
Alumni Administrative Fellows
Jamie Kendrick, MBA
Fellowship year: 2021-2022
Baker University
Business Development manager, Infusion Services
Kelsey O’Sullivan, MHSA, MBA
Fellowship year: 2021-2022
Xavier University
Supply Chain Business Operations project manager
Mackenzie Parker, MHA, MBA
Fellowship year: 2021-2022
University of Missouri
Associate consultant – Kaufman Hall
Claire Poague, MHSA, MSN, RN
Fellowship year: 2020-2021
University of Kansas Medical Center
Safety/risk manager – University Health KC
Shailee Smith, MHA
Fellowship year: 2020-2021
Saint Louis University
Senior consultant – Plante Moran
Tony Torres, MHA, MBA
Fellowship year: 2020-2021
Idaho State University
Assistant chief executive officer – Community Health Systems
Halle Ponick, MHSA
Fellowship year: 2019-2020
University of Kansas Medical Center
Director of Joint Venture Operations – Baylor Scott & White Health
Mackenzie Clyburn, MHA
Fellowship year: 2018-2019
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Associate vice president, Hospital Operations – Baptist Health
Joe Muiller, MHSA
Fellowship year: 2018-2019
University of Kansas Medical Center
Program manager, Enterprise Initiatives – The University of Kansas Health System
Aaron Mulgrue, JD, MHA
Fellowship year: 2018-2019
Saint Louis University
Assistant director, Business Operations – The University of Kansas Health System
We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.