Key Takeaways
- Prioritize cultural fit alongside academic prestige when recruiting to ensure long-term team cohesion and candidate success.
The journey from graduate student to healthcare executive is rarely a straight line. It’s a path paved with pivotal decisions, calculated risks, and the deliberate cultivation of a strong professional network. For aspiring leaders, navigating this landscape requires a blend of ambition, self-awareness, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone. Mahee Patel, MSHA, MBA, an Administrative Fellow at Apex Health Solutions, embodies this modern trajectory. Her story, from leaving her home state of Wisconsin for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) renowned MHA program to securing a coveted internship at the Mayo Clinic and ultimately landing in the dynamic world of value-based care in Houston, offers a masterclass in strategic career development. In a recent conversation on The Fellowship Review, Mahee shared the insights that shaped her path, offering actionable advice for the next generation of healthcare leaders.
The decision to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham for graduate school was primarily driven by the program's culture and its emphasis on in-person connection. While many programs were still operating virtually in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, UAB’s decision to host an in-person interview weekend made all the difference for Mahee. This approach allowed her to experience the campus environment firsthand and assess her compatibility with the faculty and future classmates—a critical factor for a field as relationship-driven as healthcare administration.
She recalls the experience vividly, noting how it immediately set the program apart. “The MHA world as we know, is pretty small and culture means everything,” Mahee explains. “And I thought that if I was going to be spending upwards of every day with a group of around 30 people I'd really wanna fit in. And my interview at UAB was just so much fun, it didn't even feel like an interview.” This focus on cultural fit over pure prestige underscores a vital lesson for prospective students: the environment you learn in is just as important as the curriculum. The right program should not only challenge you academically but also provide a supportive community where you can build lasting professional and personal relationships.
Moving from Wisconsin to Alabama was a significant personal and cultural leap that required courage and a focus on the long-term career goal. Mahee admits the decision was daunting, especially as it meant leaving a close-knit family network for the first time. The fear of the unknown—making new friends, adapting to a different culture, and the simple "what if it's the wrong decision?"—was very real.
However, she didn't let those doubts dictate her future. “My future, my career was worth it,” she reflects. “I'm so glad that I didn't let those little doubts of what if I make no friends or what if I hate it...play too much importance on my decision making.” Her experience serves as a powerful reminder that career growth often demands stepping into uncomfortable territory. Ultimately, the people she met at UAB made the transition seamless. The strong bonds she formed with her classmates created a new "family," proving that the quality of the people around you can make any location feel like home. Her advice to others facing a similar move is to recognize that while regional differences exist (she confirms Southern charm is real), people are fundamentally the same everywhere.
Mahee secured her internship at the Mayo Clinic by strategically leveraging her university's alumni network and demonstrating a keen interest in innovative academic medical centers. While in her graduate program, she was drawn to high-acuity, research-driven organizations like the Cleveland Clinic and its peer, the Mayo Clinic. To transform this interest into an opportunity, she took a crucial step that every student should emulate: she connected with a UAB alum who had previously completed the Mayo internship.
This conversation provided an authentic, inside perspective that a website or job description could never offer. Hearing firsthand about the alum's positive experience solidified her decision to apply. This highlights the immense value of networking; alumni have walked the path you're on and can provide candid insights that demystify the application process and help you gauge cultural fit. The Mayo Clinic’s application process involves applying to the system as a whole, with location assignments made upon offer. By a stroke of luck, Mahee was placed at the health system in her home state of Wisconsin, allowing her to gain experience at a world-class institution while being close to home.
For Mahee, a first-generation American and first-generation student, the decision to pursue a fellowship was rooted in the unparalleled mentorship and accelerated career exposure it provides. A fellowship offers a structured pathway to gain high-level experiences that are often inaccessible through a traditional entry-level job. It’s an intensive, year-long immersion into the inner workings of a health system, designed to mold promising graduates into future leaders.
The core appeal was the guarantee of mentorship and guidance from seasoned executives. Mahee saw it as an invaluable opportunity to build a robust professional network and learn directly from leaders at the top of their field. “Build that professional and personal connection with a mentor that can not only guide you in your career, but propel you and…speak about you at tables that you know, you don't have a seat at yet, I think is invaluable,” she states. This sponsorship—having a champion who advocates for you in rooms you aren't in—is one of the most powerful career accelerators a young professional can have. For anyone who identifies as a lifelong learner, a fellowship extends the educational journey beyond the classroom, allowing you to explore curiosities and transition from student to leader under the guidance of experts.
A successful fellowship application cycle requires meticulous organization, intentionality, and a focus on quality over quantity. Mahee managed her applications with a master Excel spreadsheet that she updated almost daily, a practice many successful applicants swear by. Given that her UAB program required a fellowship, she had significant institutional support, including a "Preceptors Conference" where dozens of organizations came to recruit.
However, she didn't limit her search to the organizations that came to her. She proactively researched other programs to ensure she was casting a wide but deliberate net. Her strategy offers a clear blueprint for applicants:
Ultimately, overwhelming yourself with too many options can lead to decision fatigue. A focused, well-researched approach yields better results and ensures you land in a place where you can truly thrive.
The key to mastering the fellowship interview is to reframe it as a mutual assessment of cultural fit rather than a one-sided evaluation. Mahee’s experience demonstrates that by the time you reach the final, on-site interview, your qualifications are no longer in question. At that stage, the organization has already determined you have the technical skills and academic background to succeed. The real question becomes: Do your personality, values, and working style align with the organization’s culture?
This realization helped her approach the process with confidence and authenticity. “Once you make it to the onsite interview, you can believe that you're qualified for the job,” she advises. “At that point it is down to what's a cultural fit.” This mindset shift is empowering. It transforms the interview from a nerve-wracking test into a conversation where you are interviewing the organization just as much as they are interviewing you. By showing up as your most authentic self, you not only stand out but also ensure you land in an environment where you can be successful and happy.
The Administrative Fellowship at Apex Health Solutions offers a uniquely flexible and entrepreneurial experience tailored to the individual, set within a fast-growing value-based care organization. As a managed service organization (MSO) founded in 2019, Apex provides partners with the people, processes, and technology to succeed in value-based arrangements. This is a step beyond traditional consulting; it’s about hands-on implementation and partnership.
A key differentiator of the Apex fellowship is its adaptability. Fellows can choose whether their year-long experience will be rotational or project-based, a level of autonomy rarely seen in more established programs. “The previous fellow had a more project-based, uh, fellowship, but I think that's a unique opportunity and privilege of the fellowship is that you get to make it your experience,” Mahee notes. As the sole fellow, she has had the opportunity to rotate through each of the company's functional pillars, gaining a holistic understanding of the business while building deep relationships across the organization. This model is ideal for self-starters who want to customize their learning journey and make a tangible impact in a growth-stage company at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
A fellowship is designed to accelerate the transition from student to leader, and Mahee’s experience on a complex regulatory project exemplifies this perfectly. Tasked with helping build the clinical policy for Apex’s utilization management team, she was pushed far outside her comfort zone. The project required her to develop a project plan and delegate tasks to senior leaders, including Vice Presidents.
This experience was initially intimidating but proved to be a critical developmental milestone. It forced her to shift her mindset from being the "doer" to being the "delegator" and to cultivate her executive presence. Learning to manage up and guide team members who are more senior is a vital leadership skill. As she notes, while intimidating, it's a necessary step for anyone on a leadership track. Good fellowship programs create a safe space for this growth. As one of her own mentors advised, the goal is to be challenged but not allowed to drown. This project provided the perfect opportunity to develop high-level project management and communication skills while delivering significant value to the organization.
Effective mentorship is the cornerstone of a successful fellowship, and Apex provides a robust structure with both a preceptor and an executive sponsor. This dual-mentorship model ensures the fellow receives comprehensive support covering both day-to-day execution and long-term career strategy.
Beyond this formal structure, Mahee has found a wealth of informal mentors through her rotations. The learning-oriented culture at Apex means that leaders across the organization are invested in her success, not just as a fellow but as a person.
Reflecting on her journey, Mahee’s most resonant piece of advice is simple yet profound: relax and trust the process. The path through graduate school and the fellowship search is filled with uncertainty and "what if" scenarios that can generate significant anxiety. It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about outcomes you can’t control. However, looking back, it becomes clear that life often guides you in the right direction, even if the path isn’t what you originally envisioned. “Take a step back and look back at all you've accomplished thus far,” she advises. “This is just one more step...it's not gonna be easy, but it's not impossible.” By staying true to yourself, remaining confident in your abilities, and trusting that things will work out, you can navigate the challenges of an early career with greater calm and focus, ultimately landing right where you need to be.
<p>The biggest piece of advice I'd give myself, it would to be just to relax, to calm down, and trust the process. [Music] Good evening everyone. It's Rangi Sha with the fellowship review through the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy. Today I am thrilled to be joined by Mahi Patel. Mahi, thank you for joining me on the show. >> Thanks for having me. >> Yeah, we're so excited to jump into your journey.</p> <p>Of course, you're still currently a fellow and so I'm excited to not only highlight your educational and internship journey, but also, you know, maybe a lesser known fellow fellowship uh site perhaps. And so before we get into all the fun, why don't you go ahead and just give a brief overview and tell our listeners who you are, where you're from, and where you are currently. >> Yeah, sounds good. I'm Mahi. I'm originally from Wisconsin. Uh completed my undergrad there.</p> <p>Went to state school at WMadison. Um but completed my graduate degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. So huge move to the south and decided to stay there. Um since currently I'm doing my fellowship at Apex Health Solutions in Houston, Texas. I love to hear it. And for our listeners that may not be familiar, I just want to highlight the caliber of both your undergraduate and graduate program.</p> <p>Um, you know, University of Wisconsin at Madison is an incredible program and UAB is very, very reputable, especially in the health admin space. So, really excited to jump in. Um, let's start with UAB. Um, you know, what made you pick that grad school out of all the options that you have? And overall, what was your experience like? Yeah. So, when I was applying to grad school, it was towards the end of COVID time.</p> <p>So, we were some things were kind of in person and some things were a little bit still virtual and UAB was the only grad uh program that I interviewed at that had an in-person interview and it made all the difference for me. The MHA world, as we know, is pretty small and culture means everything. And I thought that if I was going to be spending upwards of every day with a group of around 30 people, I'd really want to fit in. And my interview at UAB was just it was so much fun.</p> <p>It didn't even feel like an interview. I loved the culture of not only the classmates, but the faculty. And um it really stood out. So I made the right decision, too. My experience there was amazing. So >> yeah, I I love to hear that.</p> <p>And a couple things are I I'd like to highlight that you know you said um that it was towards the end of COVID and so I definitely think like there is a lot of credit to give to you of moving all the way from like basically the northernmost part of the US all the way down south. Um one thing I do want to ask you know how was that transition um Madison and then also being in Wisconsin the cold weather and then moving to Alabama huge change.</p> <p>So share a little bit about kind of what what was different about being in Alabama. >> It was super it was super scary. I'm not going to lie. A lot if most of my immediate family is in Wisconsin even though Madison is 2 hours away from home. It was only 30 minutes away from my aunt. I've always lived very close to family. um Wisconsin is home and I've spent like all my life there until I decided to go to UAB and it was really daunting, but um my my future, my career was worth it.</p> <p>And I'm so glad that I didn't let those little doubts of what if I make no friends or what if I hate it or what if the South is way different? Um and I and I just I want to go back home like what if it's the right wrong decision.</p> <p>I'm glad that I didn't let those little whatif situations uh play too much importance on my decision- making because I honestly made the best friends ever at UAB and I didn't feel far from family at all because the friends that I made it at in Birmingham felt like family. Um yeah, it was I in terms of the difference between the north and the south, I think it's overplayed. There's definitely a cultural difference in terms of southern charm is very real.</p> <p>People are super nice here, but um I don't know, people are people anywhere. And um it it wasn't as I I was expecting more southern accents than I uh interacted with. Not everybody speaks with the southern draw in the south, so that was interesting. Um but Birmingham's a great Birmingham is a great city. Super fun, lots to do. Um, and UAB again the program, uh, I was able to meet such cool people and I think that made all the difference in that.</p> <p>Um, the location doesn't play as much of a a factor as much as the people do. And, um, I really really um, appreciate all the people that I met in my class. So, yeah. >> Love to hear it. Um, and you know, of course you were a grad student and it seems like you made um, the most of your graduate school experience, but another thing we kind of touched base on offline that I really want to highlight is your internship with the Mayo Clinic.</p> <p>And so kind of would you be able to share what the process was like acquiring that internship and then how it kind of played out? >> Yeah, so I applied to Mayo Clinic um, not on a whim. Obviously, it was a well thoughtout decision, but I never thought that it would land in an internship. I um honestly, we were spoken to from an alum from Cleveland Clinic and hearing more about Cleveland Clinic's u model. Obviously, Mayo Clinic is a competitor, but also very similar to their model.</p> <p>And so, really interested in those uh AMC's that interact with those high acuity patients doing really innovative medicine. And so I was at a point in my career where I didn't really know where I wanted to do uh my career uh moving forward. And so wanted to use the time to explore uh in spaces that I haven't had exposure to yet.</p> <p>And so I was used to large academic medical centers in terms of UAB has a workforce program that we do as a part of our first year as well as uh some of my undergraduate experiences were internships at larger hospital systems. And so I knew that I liked that setting but definitely wanted to try something new and was drawn towards the innovation and exciting stuff that Mayo Clinic does. Um I talked to an alum of UAB that did the internship previously.</p> <p>she had nothing but great things to say and so I applied. The way that uh the Mayo Clinic internship and fellowship work is that you apply to the system as a whole and then you prep your locations but at the end of the day they assign you the location along with your offer. And so it just ended up that I was at the health system in Wisconsin which was home. And so people are like oh uh when they look at my resume they're like oh did you choose Wisconsin? No, it just worked out that way.</p> <p>Um but I loved the health system. Um it was such a great experience. I have nothing but um glowing reviews to give. So >> yeah, absolutely. And I think I really want to highlight the importance for our listeners um for tapping on alumni because I think you've mentioned it now. You know, a couple different people that you were able to touch base with and they were able to give you kind of their experience.</p> <p>Um so really want to highlight to our listeners the importance of connecting with alumni, connecting with professors who can then connect you with their former students. Um because you know that hearing from a student who was in your shoes um having gone down a path I feel like is much more real than like reading on a website what an internship entails. Um yeah so thank you for sharing that.</p> <p>And you know, I think the the blessing of healthcare administration is that when you finish your graduate program or when you're done with the academic portion of your graduate program, you have a lot of options as far as fellowship, consulting, getting a traditional job or even pursuing higher education even more than your masters. What was it about fellowships that really caught your eye and what was it that you would say was your why? you know, why a fellowship? Why go down this rigorous path?</p> <p>>> Yeah. So, I'm a first generation student as well as a first generation American. And so, I feel like at times I um rely on my professional network more than somebody that you know might get that guidance uh from other places.</p> <p>and a fellowship spoke to me because um it is a guaranteed way to get mentorship and guidance and such privileged experiences that you wouldn't otherwise get um following a more traditional career trajectory and it was so attractive to me not only as somebody that identifies as a lifelong learner.</p> <p>I am so blessed to have a fellowship experience that allows me to explore all those curiosities and you know continue to be a learner even as I transition out of my official title as a student um and also uh allow me to you know build those strong connections that don't only feel professional and also like mend into that personal space.</p> <p>I think um having the uh a fellowship where you get the time to throughout at least the course of a year, I feel like most fellowships are at least a year long, um build that professional and personal connection with a mentor that can not only guide you in your career, but propel you and uh uh speak about you at tables that you know you don't have a seat at yet, I think is invaluable.</p> <p>And so that's definitely what spoke to me, not only as somebody that is curious and loves to learn, but especially as a first generation student, um, wanting to utilize the the power that a strong professional network can yield in your career. So yeah. >> Yeah, what a great response. And you highlighted some incredible things having a privilege to do a fellowship. I think that's so real. It's so competitive that it is a privilege to be in that position at a health system.</p> <p>And then it it's so funny because um the episode that I recorded yesterday, my guest said something very similar to you. And you know, she said, "I had the honor of having a mentor who said my name in rooms where I was not present." And I think the fellowship does that for you if you're able to find and connect with the right people. So, thank you for highlighting that. Um and digging a little bit deeper into your fellowship cycle.</p> <p>um to the extent that you want to share, you know, what was kind of the search process like for you? How did you narrow down where you were going to apply? And then also, you know, how did you stay on track with your applications? >> Great question. I think staying on track with applications is like one of the hardest things that I had to deal with. The Excel sheet just kept getting uh more convoluted as different experiences happened.</p> <p>But um I I had a master expel Excel sheet that I updated almost daily as I was going through the fellowship experience. Um a thing about UAB is that a a fellowship is required. So the program does give you a lot of support in finding a fellowship and they also host what's called preceptors conference where I I want to say like 30 to 40 organizations come to UAB to recruit us as well.</p> <p>And so, uh, I wanted I obviously did my research on those orgs that came to UAB, but I spent more time researching the orgs that didn't come to UAB, just because I knew that that would take um the e I wanted to take the extra step to make sure that I was doing my research um for those orgs as well. I I think that there's varying advice that you get for the amount of fellowships that you should apply to. Some people have crazy numbers like 20s.</p> <p>Um I am somebody that is a strong believer in quality over quantity and I want to say I don't know the exact number but I I want to say I applied to around 10. I wanted to be really intentional. Um and even for myself I didn't want to confuse myself with too many options. Obviously throughout the process, some of those decisions will be made for you as you continue to progress. But um knowing myself, I didn't want to overwhelm myself with having too many different um options.</p> <p>And something that really helped for me was connecting with fellows uh beforehand um and getting their authentic and honest experience about their fellowship fellowship experience was gamechanging for me.</p> <p>And that the information that you can find online while it is valuable is you know it's generic and the best way to gauge if you yourself are a cultural fit is if you can get along with the person that is doing the role currently then you that's a good marker of okay like I can see myself I can envision myself uh having a similar experience to them. So yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. And I think being intentional about how many you apply to and even the location, right?</p> <p>Cuz like you're going to do your fellowship and you're going to go to work, but you're also going to live in that city. So I think like again just doing a lot of your research, which it seems like you did, and then picking is so so important. Um, I also think the way you highlighted keeping yourself on track, whether it was researching organizations that weren't going to be there as well as the Excel, um, is like very core to how fellows usually act.</p> <p>So, it totally checks out that you were able to secure a fellowship. Um, and another kind of question I want to ask is interviews, right? Interviews can be overwhelming. They can be a pretty tough part of the fellowship cycle. Many if not most organizations have their first round and then you know a second andor third and final round and oftent times you know those are full day events. You're meeting you know the topmost leadership. So you know what was interviewing like for you?</p> <p>Um anything that you know you learned or anything that surprised you during the fellowship interview process? >> Honestly I had so much fun interviewing. It was so fun not only to get to see all the sites that I interviewed at, but also to meet uh different students. I think it's really easy to view the MHA world as your class because you spend so much time with them.</p> <p>And then you go to a conference like ACE or you meet people from different programs at on-site interviews and you realize that it, you know, like people say that the MHA world is small and that is so that is true, but it is also bigger than you think it is. and meeting those other people.</p> <p>Like I had a great time interviewing and I think the reason that I was able to enjoy the experience so much was because of some advice that I received that once you make it to the on-site interview, you can believe that you're qualified for the job, right?</p> <p>Like at that point it is uh it's it's down to what's a cultural fit because so much of what you do in a fellowship is based off of your personality and if that meshes with the personality of the organization because that is just a large part of what an administrative career is is relationship building, communication, your ability to be flexible and learn and you know fit into the team and the culture of an organization.</p> <p>And so um those technical skills that we're worried about in terms of qualification I think are weeded out throughout the process um early on and by the time you make it to the on-site it is um a personality fit and um when you are trying to gauge that you are interviewing the organization as much as they're interviewing you and keeping that in mind in terms of to get the most authentic and successful fellowship experience you should just show up as your mo most authentic authentic self to the interview.</p> <p>It took a lot of pressure off my shoulders and in reminding myself to have fun, I think also created a more light-hearted atmosphere uh with the people that I was interviewing with as well because it can be so nerve-wracking to be uh in a room all day with what's seen as your competition. But at the end of the day, I'm a a big believer and everything happens for a reason.</p> <p>And I still talk to some of the people that I met with on on-site and are all so happy at the organizations that they ended up with and things work out and just trusting the process and trying to have fun I think will make you stand out as somebody that you know can be their most authenticelves because I think uh nerves uh while everybody has them can you know be a differentiating factor of this person is confident in themselves and trust that they're trust their ability to be a successful fellow versus somebody that can let their nerves, you know, take that opportunity away from them.</p> <p>Um, so yeah. >> Yeah. Incredible, incredible advice on all of that. And, you know, just to give my kind of two cents, you are absolutely right. I had two separate health system um CEOs tell me that you're here um and it means you're more than qualified to have the job. It really is about fit and whether this is mutually beneficial.</p> <p>So, I just want to throw that out there that not only, you know, you've obviously heard that piece of advice, but even when I was doing my interviews, I also got very similar advice. So, I can definitely say it's true. Um, and and so, of course, you arrive at Apex. And so, before we get into your experience as the fellow, could you share with our listeners a little bit about the logistics around the fellowship? So, if you could highlight, you know, is it one year, two year, is it projectbased?</p> <p>um you know do you have co-fellows or is it just you and if you could just give us an overview of the fellowship itself that would be great. Yeah. So the fellowship is pretty new at Apex as Apex is a new organization itself. It was founded in 2019 and so it's a growth stage company. Um but we've had uh a couple of fellows before. Um the fellowship is a year-long and you have a lot of autonomy at a a new company to make the experience what you want it to be. And so I decided to make it rotational.</p> <p>the previous fellow had a more project-based uh fellowship, but I think that's a a unique opportunity and privilege of the fellowship is that you c you get to make it your experience. Um yeah, so I'm rotating through each of the uh functional pillars at Apex. It's historically been a year long.</p> <p>I don't know why it would be longer than that, but if if somebody wanted to, um, I think the sky's is the limit at Apex and you can ask for, you know, the experience that you want and leadership will work with you to get it. Um, a little bit more about Apex, it's a managed service organization that works heavily in value based care. And so, it's a little bit more than consulting. When you think about um, uh, consulting, it's you offer a solution.</p> <p>Uh but at an MSL, you offer the people, the process, and the technology to handhold your partners throughout that um implementation. And so, uh you get to have pretty meaningful connections with the clients that you work with. Um and I've learned so much. So, yeah. >> Yeah, it definitely seems unique. I don't think I've actually ever heard of a fellowship that allows their fellows to pick rotation versus project base. So, that that's super cool.</p> <p>And uh remind me and our listeners, are you the only fellow or do they pick multiple people? >> I'm the only fellow. Yep. >> Okay. Okay. That's definitely also a very unique experience. And um I know you've been there for several months now. So any project or ro a rotation that had a project that you'd want to highlight just to give our listeners an example of the type of work that you get to do.</p> <p>Yeah, I think the most unique project that I was on that I didn't anticipate learning so much from was a regulatory project. Uh when I was on it, I was like, I see the importance. I see the need, but I I wasn't uh as exposed to what goes into compliance and regulatory um uh projects of that nature. And so I helped actually build our clinical policy for our utilization management team.</p> <p>And that was so intimidating but so um gratifying in terms of the uh relationships I was able to build and the skill set I was able to build. I think uh the biggest thing that you learn in a fellowship is how to transition from that um student or learner position into that leader that then delegates to people that are even senior to you. It was so intimidating uh making the project plan and delegating to VPs um and telling them what to do.</p> <p>But it was such an important skill set for me in terms of not only forcing me to take my hand out of the bucket of doing everything and start delegating but also um start to shift the way that I built my executive presence in terms of you know uh we are on a a career path to become leaders. And so even though it might be intimidating, at one point you're going to have to shift into that role. And um the fellowship definitely pushes you to do that much quicker than you think that you will.</p> <p>So yeah, >> absolutely. And I and I definitely think that all good fellowships push you, but they don't let you drown. It that's what my preceptor during my fellowship always said that we're going to challenge you, but we're not going to let you drown. We're not going to let you get so overwhelmed that you feel like there's no way out. and I know I appreciated him and that advice so much. Um, you know, tell us a little bit more.</p> <p>Do you have a assigned preceptor and also what's mentorship like in in this specific fellowship? >> Yeah, I have a preceptor and an executive sponsor. So, me and my preceptor meet weekly and me and my executive sponsor meet bi-weekly. My preceptor is the person that I speak more on a daily on a daily basis in terms of we have a weekly uh setup time to have a one-on-one, but she is so so available to me.</p> <p>Um, and we have a relationship where whatever I'm working on, uh, whatever questions I have, I bounce those ideas back to her and it's a safe safe space to fail. There no there's no dumb questions. She's the person that helps me not feel like I'm drowning even if uh there might be an overwhelming time. Um and my executive sponsor is the person that I do a lot of future planning, goal setting with in terms of what do I want my postfellowship career to look like?</p> <p>What are uh experiences that I should be seeking out to be successful as an early careerist? Things of that nature. Obviously, those two conversations blend between preceptor and executive sponsor. It's not like there's only precedents to speak about one thing with each, but that's usually the tone of what those conversations go like. Um, and really uh really great culture at Apex in terms of the access that you get to leadership.</p> <p>I have a lot of informal mentors based off my rotations and having those working relationships. I don't think I've ever completed a rotation without the uh executive sponsor of that rotation not uh offering me to have continued mentorship throughout the rest of my fellowship experience. Um and so definitely a learning organization where people are excited and ready to build connections with you and be there for you regardless of if you're working directly for them.</p> <p>Um they're invested in your success uh as a person and not just as the position that you uh hold for them. I love that. Um, and I think mentorship is such a big part of why people do fellowships and being able to have that safe space and connection with your mentor is so important. I know I definitely did with my preceptor and, you know, still do.</p> <p>And so I love to hear when f fellows say, you know, like they are very available to me and they're very like just there for me to support me and make sure, you know, I'm I'm doing well. So appreciate you sharing that. Um and and kind of moving towards my last two questions, maybe a little bit more fun, but you know, um you've moved around, you've jumped around from the north to the south and now kind of across from where you used to be for grad school.</p> <p>Um tell our listeners what it is like living in H Houston. Um also just, you know, anything that maybe surprised you or that you really really love. >> Houston is so fun. Um, I will say it's a much wider city than I thought it was. Uh, you can drive for an hour and still be in Houston and Houston traffic does not play. Like, it is a different ball game over here. I thought being close to Chicago and Atlanta prepared me, but no. Um, but honestly, I love the city.</p> <p>The food scene here is insane. There's always things to do. Um, I think that the reason that this was a attractive fellowship site for me was also because as a young person, I like to have a busy life outside of work as well. And being in a large city allows me to, you know, uh, play both roles of having an exciting uh, time at work, but also have things to do outside of work. I'm a person that really values my relationships outside of healthcare as well.</p> <p>I think we have a tendency to always bring the conversation back to healthcare when you work at healthcare. And there's value in, you know, unplugging and uh interacting with people uh beyond just uh work and school. And Houston is a big enough city that allowed me to do that. Um it took a while to build friends. I you know, I think there's a a learning curve to building friends post being in school because all of a sudden not everybody that's the same age is in is in one location.</p> <p>you have to be more intentional about making friends. And so I actually joined an intermittal kickball team. I was doing Pilates classes, you know, doing the most to make friends. But the hard work paid off and now I feel like I have a good social circle, but it did take a while. Um, and it was a little frustrating that like not everybody that I knew lived in the same city anymore. Um, but we we have FaceTime and I still keep in touch with all of my old friends.</p> <p>It's just a little bit more planning. But if you're an HA degree, then you're probably a good planner anyway. So, >> yeah, absolutely. I I love to hear that. Um, and kind of my final question, and I ask all my guests this, so definitely not a surprise to anyone that's listened to various episodes, um, you know, having acquired a fellowship successfully and now, you know, almost, you know, being done with it, um, you know, uh, what is your advice?</p> <p>So either something you could have changed about your own journey or just anything you want to tell a younger student who wants to go down this route. How do they become successful? >> I think the the biggest piece of advice I'd give myself it would to be just to relax to calm down and trust the process.</p> <p>I think um looking back on it there is a lot of unnecessary worrying of what if situations and you know even if things don't work out the way that you think they will uh life has a funny way of pushing you in the right direction even if you can't see it at the time and so um take a step back and look back at all you've accomplished thus far. This is just one more step. Like it's of course it's not going to be easy but it's not impossible.</p> <p>And I think keeping a level head and staying true to you, you know, who you are as a person as well as who you are professionally, I think will take you a long way in in terms of making sure that you're the most successful person that you can be moving forward. >> Yeah, absolutely. Great advice. Um, and I just want to thank you for your time tonight.</p> <p>I really I I think I shared this with you a little bit offline, but it's very important to me to highlight um fellows from diverse backgrounds, diverse parts of the country, as well as fellowships that might be lesser known or, you know, not something that immediately comes to mind when people say fellowship. And so, this has been so insightful. I'm really excited for people to listen to this episode. And again, thank you so much for your time tonight. >> Thank you.</p>
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