Danielle Young, MHA's path from graduate student to Director of Practice Operations at a leading academic medical center exemplifies the power of mentorship, strategic career decisions, and the willingness to dive into healthcare operations wherever needed. In a recent conversation with The Fellowship Review, hosted by Vrushangi Shah, MHA, Danielle shared her reflections on early internships, admin fellowships, and rapid professional growth in healthcare administration—while offering actionable insights for others aspiring to leadership roles in healthcare.
Before attending graduate school, Danielle Young knew she wanted to remain on the delivery side of healthcare operations. As an undergraduate and graduate student at Saint Louis University(SLU), she honed her passion for hospital-based roles. SLU's program included a structured internship matching process, something that would ultimately shape her career in healthcare administration.
Rather than rushing into the first internship that offered her a placement, Danielle held out for an experience that resonated with her goals in healthcare leadership. Eventually, she landed at SSM Health St. Mary's in St. Louis, working in business development and operations before transitioning into the medical group side. The internship introduced her to multifaceted projects—including operations, finance, and patient care workflows—paving the way for her future focus in hospital administration and healthcare operations.
Although many graduate students at SLU explore consulting or roles in the insurance sector, Danielle was unwavering in her desire to stay in the provider space. She knew she wanted to experience the full complexity of hospital operations through a healthcare administration fellowship.
Danielle applied to only a handful of admin fellowships instead of casting a wide net. Her approach to finding the best hospital administration fellowships was deliberate: by focusing on six to eight fellowships, she could tailor each application and ensure the culture and structure aligned with her career aspirations in healthcare leadership. She recalls phone interviews with multiple programs but only one on-site visit—at Loyola Medicine, the site she felt was an ideal fit for her health administration fellowship from the beginning.
Danielle's fellowship year at Loyola Medicine was project-based, an arrangement she personally preferred over a rotational model in healthcare fellowships. She was part of a one-year program that also integrated mentorship opportunities with senior leaders, including the CEO of Loyola Medicine and an executive from the parent organization, Trinity Health.
One of Danielle's most notable fellowship projects was the regional clinical ladder for nursing, which aimed to ensure a unified professional development structure for inpatient, outpatient, and operating room nurses across Loyola's system. This project touched on various aspects of healthcare operations, including human resources, quality improvement, and organizational development. Loyola had recently acquired another community hospital, adding complexity to the project.
She fondly recalls the director of professional practice presenting her with an "honorary nursing degree" as a lighthearted acknowledgment of her immersion in the nursing world. The project not only unified professional standards for nurses across multiple sites but also prepared Danielle for future roles by developing her empathy and operational acumen in healthcare administration.
When her fellowship ended, Loyola was in the midst of strategic changes. Eager to retain fellows but short on immediate administrative fellowship jobs, leadership placed Danielle in an Interim HR Manager position. Though not part of her long-term plan in healthcare administration, this stint taught her critical people-management and conflict-resolution skills.
Soon after, Danielle transitioned to Business Administrator for the neurosciences and digestive health programs. This role blended strategic planning, faculty compensation, research, and academic administration. She learned to integrate clinicians' perspectives into operational strategy, a skill that would become invaluable in her later practice management roles and overall healthcare operations expertise. This position also exposed her to aspects of healthcare finance and healthcare policy that would prove crucial in her future roles.
A moment that proved pivotal was when the Vice President of Ambulatory Services spotted Danielle in a hallway and said, "Walk with me." Though initially concerned she might be in trouble, Danielle quickly discovered she was being invited to apply for an upcoming Practice Director position, a significant step up in healthcare leadership.
She got the job—stepping into the role of overseeing orthopedics, surgery, and eventually more clinical areas. She started just before the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated her growth exponentially in healthcare operations and transformation:
After three years, Danielle felt she had reached a plateau in terms of new learning opportunities. She considered multiple job offers but held out for the right fit—eventually finding it at Rush University Medical Center.
Today, Danielle serves as Director of Practice Operations for Surgery, Urology, and OB/GYN at Rush University Medical Center. In this role, she oversees outpatient operations, collaborating with nurse managers, supervisors, and perioperative scheduling teams to manage everything from patient experience to optimizing the utilization of operating room blocks.
She works closely with department administrators on growth plans, physician recruitment, and market expansion, utilizing her skills in healthcare analytics and performance improvement. Her role also involves staying up-to-date with healthcare technology and information systems to ensure efficient operations. The immediate synergy she felt during her condensed, day-long interview process confirmed this was the next logical step in her career in healthcare leadership. Nearly two years in, Danielle is thriving and praises her team for their dedication and expertise in clinical operations.
Danielle is a proud Chicago native and highlights the city's unique blend of culture, affordability, and unmatched healthcare ecosystem.
Chicago's robust healthcare scene has allowed her to transition between major systems without uprooting her life, further facilitating her professional development in healthcare administration and operations. The city's healthcare landscape offers opportunities to engage with various aspects of the field, from population health initiatives to cutting-edge healthcare technology implementations.
Reflecting on her journey from administrative resident to healthcare leader, Danielle underscores the value of being open to opportunities—especially those that may not appear glamorous.
She also advises aspiring leaders to focus on fit and authenticity when applying for health administration fellowships or jobs. Overextending oneself with too many half-hearted applications can dilute genuine passion and preparation. Lastly, Danielle's career proves the importance of trusting mentors who see your potential in healthcare leadership:
Danielle Young's progression—from an earnest intern at SSM Health to an Administrative Fellow at Loyola, and now Director of Practice Operations at Rush—showcases a trajectory defined by curiosity, mentorship, and resilience in healthcare administration. Amid organizational reshuffles, budget changes, and a global pandemic, she consistently stepped up, demonstrating her commitment to healthcare transformation and innovation. Her story is a testament to what's possible when you blend strong academic foundations, a willingness to learn on the front lines, and the grit to manage complex healthcare operations.
For those considering similar paths in healthcare administration fellowships, the message is clear: say yes to growth opportunities, embrace the breadth of hospital operations, and lean on the mentors guiding you toward the next big leap in healthcare leadership.
Danielle Young's journey exemplifies how rolling up your sleeves in even the unlikeliest roles can prepare you for leadership at the highest levels in healthcare. From quality improvement initiatives to driving organizational development and process improvement in clinical settings, her experience spans the gamut of healthcare administration. As the field continues to evolve, embracing areas like regulatory compliance, population health, and emerging healthcare technologies will be crucial for future leaders in this dynamic and rewarding field.
