The Mercy Administrative Fellowship, with Meghan Weihmuller

In this insightful interview, Meghan Weihmuller, MHA shares her experience with the Mercy administrative fellowship program. Her journey from biology major to director of primary care and population health growth is both inspiring and informative for aspiring healthcare administrators.

The Journey to a Health Administration Fellowship

Megan’s path to healthcare administration wasn’t straightforward. She initially pursued a biology degree at Saint Louis University, thinking she wanted to become a doctor. However, an elective class in Health Management opened her eyes to the world of healthcare administration and the potential for a rewarding healthcare career.

This discovery led her to switch majors and eventually join the 4+1 program at SLU, where she earned her Master’s degree in Health Administration just a year after completing her bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Internship: A Steppingstone

Before diving into a fellowship, Megan completed a graduate internship at SSM Health. This experience was crucial in shaping her career path in healthcare services. She worked under a mentor who allowed her to explore various aspects of healthcare management, including hospital operations, strategic planning, and quality initiatives.

The internship helped Megan realize her passion for these areas and solidified her decision to pursue an administrative fellowship program for further exploration and professional development.

Mercy Fellowship Program: A Closer Look

Megan chose the Mercy fellowship program for its focus on clinic operations and its location in St. Louis. The program has evolved significantly since her time, but its core values of providing comprehensive exposure to healthcare management and administrative responsibilities remain intact.

Structure of the Fellowship

When Megan participated, the Mercy fellowship was structured in three main sections:

• 2-3 months of shadowing experiences
• Several months of project-based work in chosen areas
• 3-6 months in an interim manager position

This structure allowed fellows to gain broad exposure to various aspects of healthcare administration before focusing on specific areas of interest within the integrated health system.

Transition to Rotational Leadership Academy (RLA)

Mercy has since transformed its fellowship program into the Rotational Leadership Academy (RLA). This two-year program, designed for undergraduates, offers:

• A cohort-based experience with 6-7 participants
• Involvement in high-level projects and leadership meetings

Additionally, Mercy is developing an Administrative Leadership Academy (ALA) for graduate students, set to launch in the near future, further expanding their talent management initiatives.

Career Progression in Healthcare Strategy Roles

Megan’s career progression following her fellowship is a testament to the program’s effectiveness in preparing early careerists for leadership roles in healthcare operations.

After completing her fellowship, Megan transitioned into a role as manager of operations for strategy and quality. This position allowed her to continue working in the areas she was passionate about – healthcare operations, strategic planning, and quality initiatives.

Following a system-wide restructure, Megan moved into a role focused on primary care strategy. This position allowed her to work on system-wide initiatives and mentor others in similar roles across different regions of the vertically integrated system.

Most recently, Megan was promoted to director of primary care and population health growth. In this role, she oversees strategic growth initiatives across the Mercy system, working with teams in multiple states to improve primary care access and population health outcomes.

Founding PediaBright: Addressing Communication Gaps in Pediatric Healthcare

One of the most impressive aspects of Megan’s career is her ability to balance her full-time leadership role with entrepreneurial pursuits in healthcare innovation.

During her first year of graduate school, Megan founded PediaBright, a company focused on bridging communication gaps in pediatric healthcare. The company produces children’s books that help explain chronic conditions to young patients and their peers.

This incredible project demonstrates Megan’s commitment to improving healthcare beyond her day-to-day role, showcasing the innovative thinking that fellowships like Mercy’s aim to foster in their administrative fellows.

Advice for Aspiring Healthcare Administrators

For those considering a career in healthcare administration or pursuing a fellowship, Megan offers valuable advice:

• Find what drives you: Pursue roles and projects that you’re passionate about in healthcare services
• Seek diverse experiences: Use fellowships and internships to explore different aspects of healthcare management and hospital operations
• Embrace mentorship: Both as a mentee and a mentor in your healthcare career
• Stay open to opportunities: Be willing to take on new challenges and roles within the healthcare delivery system
• Balance is key: Find ways to pursue your passions while maintaining work-life balance

Megan’s journey from biology student to healthcare innovation leader illustrates the power of health administration fellowships in shaping careers and driving positive change in the industry.

The Impact of Mentorship in Healthcare Management Career Path

Throughout her journey, Megan emphasized the importance of mentorship in shaping her career path in healthcare administration. She highlighted different types of mentorship that have been valuable at various stages of her career:

Formal Mentorship

Megan’s internship preceptor, Heather, became a long-term mentor who continued to guide her even after she moved to Mercy Health. This type of formal mentorship, often initiated through structured programs, can provide valuable guidance and support throughout one’s healthcare career.

Peer Mentorship

During her fellowship, Megan benefited from peer mentorship with fellows from previous cohorts. This type of mentorship can be particularly helpful for navigating the early stages of a career and understanding the nuances of an organization’s healthcare operations.

Informal Mentorship

As her career progressed, Megan sought out informal mentorship from individuals in executive leadership roles she aspired to. This approach helped her gain insights into potential career paths and strategies for professional development in healthcare administration.

The variety of mentorship experiences Megan encountered underscores the importance of seeking guidance from multiple sources throughout one’s career journey in healthcare management.

Early Careerist Healthcare Program: A Pathway to Leadership

Mercy’s transition from individual fellowships to a comprehensive early careerist program highlights a growing trend in healthcare administration. These programs aim to:

• Attract top talent directly from undergraduate and graduate programs
• Provide structured learning experiences that combine practical work with theoretical knowledge
• Create a pipeline of future leaders who understand the organization’s culture and healthcare operations
• Foster innovation and fresh perspectives within the integrated health system

By investing in early careerist programs, healthcare systems like Mercy are not only shaping the future of their organizations but also contributing to the development of the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Healthcare Innovation and Startups: Complementing Traditional Roles

Megan’s experience with her startup, PediaBright, demonstrates how healthcare professionals can contribute to innovation outside their primary roles. This dual approach offers several benefits:

• Addressing niche problems in healthcare that may not be the focus of larger organizations
• Developing entrepreneurial skills that can be applied in traditional healthcare settings
• Staying connected to the cutting edge of healthcare innovation
• Creating additional avenues for personal and professional fulfillment in healthcare services

For aspiring healthcare administrators, exploring opportunities in healthcare innovation and startups can provide valuable experiences and perspectives that complement their primary career path in healthcare management.

Healthcare System Restructuring: Adapting to Change

Megan’s career journey also highlights the importance of adaptability in the face of healthcare system restructuring. Her experience navigating Mercy’s reorganization demonstrates key skills for success in a dynamic healthcare environment:

• Flexibility in taking on new roles and administrative responsibilities
• Ability to identify opportunities within organizational changes in the healthcare delivery system
• Skill in building relationships across different departments and regions of an integrated health system
• Capacity to align personal career goals with organizational needs and quality initiatives

These skills, often developed through experiences like fellowships and early careerist programs, are invaluable for long-term success in healthcare administration and executive leadership.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a healthcare administration fellowship?

A healthcare administration fellowship, also known as an administrative fellowship program, is a structured program that provides recent graduates or early career professionals with hands-on experience in various aspects of healthcare management. These programs typically last 1-2 years and offer rotations through different departments, mentorship opportunities, and involvement in high-level projects within an integrated health system.

How can I prepare for a health administration fellowship?

To prepare for a fellowship, focus on gaining relevant education (such as a master’s degree in health administration), seek internships or part-time work in healthcare settings, develop strong leadership and communication skills, and stay informed about current trends and challenges in healthcare management and hospital operations.

What are the benefits of participating in an early careerist healthcare program?

Early careerist programs offer numerous benefits, including accelerated career growth, exposure to various aspects of healthcare administration, mentorship from experienced leaders, networking opportunities, and the chance to make meaningful contributions to healthcare organizations early in your career. These programs often serve as a stepping stone to executive leadership roles in healthcare.

How important is mentorship in healthcare administration?

Mentorship is crucial in healthcare administration. It provides guidance, support, and insights that can help navigate complex career paths, understand organizational dynamics, and develop essential leadership skills. Mentors can also offer valuable connections and advocate for career advancement opportunities within the healthcare delivery system.

Can I balance a full-time healthcare administration career with other pursuits, like startups?

Yes, it is possible to balance a full-time career in healthcare administration with other pursuits like startups or innovation projects. However, it requires careful time management, clear communication with employers, and a strong passion for both areas. Many healthcare professionals find that these dual pursuits can be complementary and mutually beneficial, contributing to both personal growth and the advancement of healthcare services.