Deciding on a career path in healthcare management is no simple matter. The choices often span from traditional hospital operations and consulting to government roles and public service. Among these avenues, healthcare administrative fellowships stand out as a uniquely immersive launchpad into healthcare leadership. But what is an administrative fellowship exactly? It's a structured program that provides recent graduates with hands-on experience in various aspects of healthcare management, often including rotations through different departments and mentorship from senior executives. In this article, we delve into the journey of Cassandra (Sandy) Amorado, MPH, an administrative fellow turned associate government consultant, whose path included an undergraduate and graduate education at Saint Louis University, a meaningful health administration fellowship at Hartford HealthCare, and a subsequent transition into healthcare consulting. Sandy's story illustrates the variety of options within health administration and, just as importantly, how to cultivate confidence and direction along the way in the dynamic field of healthcare management.
Sandy's educational background laid the groundwork for her multifaceted career in healthcare management. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Saint Louis University (SLU) in St. Louis, Missouri. Her undergraduate major in Psychology gave her insight into human behavior, which later proved valuable in patient care services and nursing operations. Afterward, she continued at SLU to obtain a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Management and Policy, setting the stage for her future in healthcare policy and strategy.
Notably, Sandy's choice of an MPH instead of the more typical Master of Health Administration (MHA) or MBA exemplifies the flexibility of healthcare administration fellowships. People often assume that hospital administration fellowships cater primarily to MHA programs, but Sandy's acceptance into a fellowship program underscores the reality that many organizations welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds—whether MPH, MBA, MPA, or other related fields. Her story reaffirms that if you have a strong grasp of healthcare systems, plus the initiative to learn and grow, health administration fellowships can be well within reach.
Before embarking on her healthcare administrative fellowship, Sandy gained crucial experience through a graduate administrative internship at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis. This internship introduced her to hospital operations and pediatric healthcare. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), she contributed to projects involving patient wayfinding, signage, and nurse-patient engagement, all of which are critical aspects of healthcare quality and innovation.
This experience reinforced her desire to stay within the hospital sphere, focusing on the improvement of clinical practice management and healthcare operations. As Sandy puts it, the time at Cardinal Glennon "really brought to light pediatric healthcare" and helped her realize she enjoyed seeing the tangible impact on patient care services.
After completing her MPH, Sandy felt certain about one thing: she wanted to pursue a career in hospital administration. Rather than immediately entering the workforce or academia, she sought a role that would immerse her in real-world healthcare leadership while still offering mentorship and structured learning opportunities. This led her to explore health administration fellowships as a pathway to professional development.
During her application process, Sandy cast a wide net—applying to about eight administrative fellowship programs. Although rejections inevitably came her way, she persevered. One of her key pieces of advice for prospective fellows is to remember that rejections are part of the process: "Wherever you end up is where you're supposed to be," she says. Ultimately, Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut, one of the region's prominent academic medical centers, recognized her potential, offering her a fellowship with a focus on nursing and patient operations.
Hartford HealthCare, one of Connecticut's largest health systems, offered Sandy a one-year, project-based administrative fellowship program alongside seven other fellows. Each person operated in a different specialty area—some worked on neuroscience or bone and joint initiatives, others on patient engagement or healthcare technology projects—but they often found ways to collaborate. Sandy particularly valued the cohort model: "We created a community together. If any of us needed help, we were there for each other," she recalls. This solidarity eased the transition into a new health system and a new state, while providing invaluable insights into healthcare strategy and organizational dynamics.
While Hartford HealthCare's robust organizational structure and reputation in healthcare innovation attracted Sandy, she also found surprises outside of work. Connecticut, though small, presented a range of activities that she relished. She immersed herself in quintessential East Coast experiences—apple orchards in the fall, breathtaking hikes, and quick weekend getaways to states like Rhode Island and New York. Sandy believes exploring the surrounding area is crucial when relocating for a fellowship: "If you get bored, you can always travel to other cities close by. Everything is so close on the East Coast."
Embracing a new setting turned into a rich cultural experience. Hartford became not only a workplace but also a home base for Sandy and her cohort to grow personally and professionally, enhancing their understanding of the healthcare workforce in different regions.
One important hallmark of a healthcare admin fellowship is the mentorship structure, and Sandy's experience was no different—though it took an unexpected turn. Her first preceptor left for another leadership position midway through Sandy's fellowship year. Sandy was then paired with new mentors, including hospital leaders in nursing administration and practice excellence. Despite the uncertainty, this transition taught her an invaluable lesson about adaptability and proactiveness in healthcare management:
After completing her healthcare administrative fellowship, Sandy became a Performance Analyst in Performance Savings and Initiatives at Hartford HealthCare, focusing on healthcare analytics within a value-based care model. Here, she strengthened her ability to interpret large datasets, a skill she found increasingly vital in modern healthcare finance and quality improvement initiatives.
Ultimately, she relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she took on an Associate Government Consulting role at Mercer. In this position, she delved into capitation rating and SAS programming, further honing her analytical skill set and expanding her knowledge of healthcare policy.
Sandy credits her administrative fellowship program for giving her the confidence and foundation to explore roles beyond straightforward hospital administration: "One of the biggest lessons from my fellowship was that many skills are transferable. I could translate project management and analytical thinking into my new role in healthcare consulting."
For those looking to follow a similar path, it's important to note that administrative fellowship jobs can lead to diverse career opportunities in healthcare management, from hospital operations to consulting and beyond.
Just as she once adjusted to Connecticut's tight-knit charm, Sandy has wholeheartedly embraced life in Minnesota. She praises the Minneapolis Skyway System—a network of enclosed pedestrian footbridges that make winter commutes more bearable—and is enjoying the vibrant music and food scenes. As a self-proclaimed foodie, Sandy admits her wallet feels the impact, but she values discovering local flavors. Though aware of the region's long, cold winters, Sandy jokes about mentally preparing herself for the snow.
Her reflections underscore a major reality for new fellows: being open to relocating often leads to unexpected joys and growth opportunities in the healthcare industry. If an admin fellowship or job position leads you to a place you've never considered, remember Sandy's take: each city has its own unique culture and experiences waiting to be explored.
Reflecting on her own journey through healthcare administrative fellowships, Sandy offers several key pieces of advice:
Sandy Amorado's journey testifies to the multitude of doors a healthcare administrative fellowship can open. Starting with an MPH in Health Management and Policy, transitioning into an administrative fellowship program, then moving on to healthcare analytics and government consulting at Mercer, Sandy's path showcases the versatility and evolving nature of modern healthcare careers. Through each transition—be it from St. Louis to Connecticut, Connecticut to Minnesota, or a shift from pediatric internships to hospital administration and then consulting—Sandy emphasizes staying curious, being adaptable, and trusting in the value of the experiences you collect in the healthcare industry.
For aspiring fellows, Sandy's story serves as both a roadmap and an inspiration for those interested in health administration fellowships. If you find yourself wrestling with doubts, remember that the diversity of your background can be a strength, and the right fellowship will recognize that. It is a journey marked by growth, new places, new projects, and, above all, the steady belief that your unique perspective has a place in shaping the future of healthcare management, innovation, and quality.
Whether you're considering MHA fellowships, exploring healthcare technology, or delving into human resources within healthcare, remember that an administrative fellowship can provide a solid foundation for a diverse and rewarding career in healthcare management. As you look towards the future, keep an eye out for opportunities like administrative fellowship 2024 programs, and consider long-term goals such as becoming a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Organizations like ACHE offer fellowships and resources that can further propel your career in healthcare administration.
In conclusion, Sandy's experience highlights the transformative power of healthcare administration fellowships. These programs not only provide invaluable hands-on experience but also open doors to a wide array of career paths in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. As you embark on your own journey in healthcare management, remember Sandy's story and the countless opportunities that await in this dynamic and rewarding field.
