Administrative Fellowship

About Our Program

The Administrative Fellowship Program is a 12-month program designed for individuals seeking to prepare for a career in healthcare management and to assume leadership positions in the healthcare delivery system. The program is open to students who have successfully completed a CAHME or CEPH accredited Master's Program with a focus on health administration and/or management within 12 months prior to the program’s start date. Individuals who have completed the didactic portion of their degree and are required to complete a residency or fellowship prior to degree conferral may also apply. The purpose of the fellowship program is to provide an introduction to the daily activities of the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons from the perspective of top management. 

The fellowship is structured to provide experiential learning in an academic medical center environment through rotations within the areas of clinical operations, financial management, research administration, and human resources for a period of 12 months. 

Objectives

The objectives of the Administrative Fellowship Program include the following: 

  1. Observe and study the role, function, and style of top management individuals 
  2. Understand the goals and planning process of the organization and how they are determined, and understand the priorities of the organization and how and why they were selected 
  3. Analyze the decision-making process at different levels of the organization 
  4. Understand the dynamics of relationships between various stakeholders 
  5. Obtain an understanding of the operational effectiveness of the organization 
  6. Enhance the student's understanding of the healthcare industry, the organization's strategy, and distinctive competencies 
  7. Provide an environment to enhance their understanding of, and the controlled application and testing of, skills, theories, and concepts presented during the academic year 
  8. Strengthen the student's judgment, decisiveness, and related administrative skills in a healthcare environment 
  9. Provide a basis for developing a code of ethics, philosophy, and a dedication to high ideals and standards of healthcare management 
  10. Provide an opportunity to evaluate the student in relation to his/her needs for professional development and potential for a career in healthcare management 

Structure of the Fellowship

1. Orientation

The Administrative Fellow will begin with a comprehensive orientation to the organization focusing on the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school. Each Fellow will work with a Department Administrator or more senior leader who will act as their preceptor for the duration of the fellowship. 

2. Projects & Rotations

A major component of the Fellowship will be assigned rotations and projects. Fellows will have the opportunity to work with a number of varying Departments during the program period. Fellows may be given detailed projects designed to give practical experience at various administrative levels. These projects may include assisting in the preparation of the annual budget, the collection of data to analyze problems of high organizational priority, or participation in strategic planning efforts. The structure of rotations and/or projects is dependent on the departments participating in a given year and their need. We highly encourage applicants to discuss this with current fellows and department representatives throughout their application process. 

Assigned rotations and projects are based on the needs of the Department and vary from year to year, below is a sample: 

  • July: Introduction to CUIMC & Department, training on appropriate systems (Finance, HR, etc.). 
  • July-August: People and Organization Development 

    • Strategic planning: Learning and development program planning, training and resource content creation, workflow optimization 

  • September – October: Office of the Vice Dean of Administration 

    • Human Resources: Position requests, onboarding activities, hiring process, employee relations, corrective action, labor law 

  • November-December: Faculty Practice Organization 

    • Revenue cycle: Billing systems, EMR, process from the call to charge capture to the transmission of payment to appeal, fee schedules, office vs facility billing, and attendant complications 

  • January-February: Orthopedic Surgery 

    • Clinical operations: Operations day-to-day, physician interaction, reception, clinical responsibilities, patient flow, filling in for staff, process redesign. customer service, patient, and staff satisfaction. 

  • March-April: Pathology 

    • Finance: Upcoming year budget, reporting, accounting 

  • May-June: Neurology 

    • Research: Project management, grants, population health, and patient-generated data analysis 

3. Meetings and Evaluation

Regular meetings will be scheduled with the Department Administrator to discuss independent projects concurrent with the above rotations. Fellows will be evaluated periodically to ensure consistent feedback and mentorship. 

4. Timeline

The Fellowship is expected to run for 12 months from July 1st, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Arrangements for the yearlong schedule will be developed between the Dean’s Office within the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and the participating Departments. 

5. Participating Departments

Examples of Departments that have participated in the past include the Vice Dean of Administration, Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Faculty Practice Organization (ColumbiaDoctors), and the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons Human Resources and Faculty Affairs. 

Financial Arrangements

Administrative Fellows will be paid at the minimum rate of the Administrative Officer grade 104 twice monthly, once on the 15th of each month and again on the last day of the month for the duration of the program. In addition to compensation, Administrative Fellows will be eligible for a comprehensive benefit package.