MUSC: The fellowship & Life with Moneal Desai

Healthcare administration is a dynamic, ever-evolving field that offers a variety of entry points for early-careerists. One path that has gained popularity in recent years is the administrative fellowship—a structured, project-based learning experience that pairs recent graduates with high-level executives and mentors. Among the institutions known for offering robust healthcare administration fellowships is the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). To learn more about the MUSC Health Administrative Fellowship, we caught up with Moneal Desai, MHA, an alumnus of this prestigious program. Originally hailing from Chicago, Moneal’s journey illustrates how to capitalize on healthcare fellowships, build lasting relationships with mentors, and carve out a fulfilling career in healthcare administration.

From Chicago to South Carolina: Embarking on a Healthcare Administration Career

Moneal’s story begins in the vibrant city of Chicago, where he was born and raised. After completing both his undergraduate degree at University of Illinois Chicago he initially planned on attending medical school. However, an experience as a medical scribe changed the course of his career—he realized the clinical track was not what he truly wanted.

With newfound clarity, Moneal pivoted to pursuing his Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), also from the University of Illinois Chicago. During graduate school, he landed a valuable internship at the American Medical Association (AMA), where he worked in the Improving Health Outcomes department—an experience that would shape his understanding of community health initiatives and chronic disease management.

Building a Strong Foundation at the AMA: A Stepping Stone to MHA Fellowships

At the AMA, Moneal got an insider view of the complexities of public health and policy. He worked on projects like the West Side Health Equity Collaborative in Chicago, a community-based initiative focused on reducing disparities in healthcare access in underserved neighborhoods. One of the most rewarding aspects of his internship was engaging with diverse communities across the city and collaborating with other health institutions—sometimes far beyond Illinois.

This role allowed Moneal to understand how systemic initiatives—and eventually, policy changes—can make lasting impacts. It also helped him develop relationships with mentors and colleagues who encouraged him to think bigger, leading him toward the idea of an administrative fellowship in healthcare.

Choosing the Fellowship Route: What is an Administrative Fellowship?

For graduate students on the verge of completing their MHA, the career possibilities are seemingly endless—consulting, direct hospital administration, nonprofit work, and more. But Moneal had three major reasons for choosing a healthcare admin fellowship over other routes:

1. Hands-On Exposure As someone who entered healthcare administration a bit later than most, Monil saw a fellowship as the perfect opportunity to rapidly gain hands-on experience. Working alongside experienced executives and rotating through various departments would give him the exposure he needed to healthcare system operations and healthcare project management.
2. Mentorship and Executive Access Moneal recognized that the fellowship model provides something unique: direct access to top-level administrators. “You’re thrust into the world of healthcare, and you get to learn from the best of the best,” he said. This executive mentorship aspect was a key factor in his decision, offering invaluable healthcare leadership development opportunities.
3. Location, Location, Location His fiancée (then girlfriend) was completing her medical school rotations in Charlotte, North Carolina, which made the Carolinas an ideal region to explore. “As a new grad, it can be tough to break into a new market directly. The fellowship was a great way to relocate,” Moneal explained.

With a clear vision of what he wanted, Moneal narrowed his fellowship applications to North and South Carolina programs. The MUSC Health Administrative Fellowship emerged as a standout option from the start, though he also considered other renowned programs like the UT Southwestern administrative fellowship and the Texas Children’s administrative fellowship.

The MUSC Fellowship: Structure and Culture of a Top Healthcare Fellowship Program

MUSC’s administrative fellowship follows a structured-flexibility model. According to Moneal, the fellowship combines rotational experiences with project-based work. Each fellow is typically assigned a “track” (e.g., Ambulatory Operations, System Operations, etc.), but they also have the freedom to take on additional projects in other areas of interest.

Moreover, MUSC accepts multiple fellows every year, creating a cohort model that fosters camaraderie. “Coming to South Carolina as a newcomer was much easier when I already had a group of peers going through the same process,” he recalled.

Mentorship at MUSC: A Key Component of Healthcare Leadership Competencies

One of the central tenets of healthcare administration fellowships is mentorship. As Moneal’s built-in mentor, the Chief Ambulatory Officer guided him from day one. When he interviewed at MUSC, the conversations felt natural and welcoming. Moneal recognized that this was an environment where leaders truly valued fellows. He also acknowledged the broader institutional culture: because MUSC has hosted fellows for many years, the leadership team understands how to best leverage a fellow’s skill set. That trust makes for a smoother, more meaningful learning experience and contributes to healthcare workforce development.

Life After the Fellowship: From Administrative Fellow to Healthcare Leader

Upon completing his one-year fellowship, Moneal took on an interim manager role overseeing a multispecialty clinic that encompassed both primary care and allergy services. That position eventually evolved into his current role as a Manager of Business Operations—a title that Moneal describes as a “catch-all” for a blend of direct clinic management and continuing project work.

Recent projects have ranged from opening a non-chemo infusion clinic downtown—aimed at easing capacity at the main cancer center—to managing clinic flow and patient panels. The variety, he says, keeps him on his toes and allows him to apply the healthcare analytics and healthcare finance skills he developed during his fellowship.

Advice for Aspiring Fellows: Navigating the Administrative Fellowship Application Process

The administrative fellowship application process is rigorous. From creating spreadsheets to track deadlines to drafting personal statements and securing letters of recommendation, many find it overwhelming. Reflecting on his own experience, Moneal offered a few key pointers:

1. Get Organized Early “Excel was my best friend,” he joked. He maintained a spreadsheet to keep up with deadlines—especially important for programs outside of the common application cycle like NAFCAS (National Administrative Fellowship Centralized Application Service).
2. Leverage Your Network Engage with classmates who have gone through the fellowship process, professors who can write compelling letters of recommendation, and internship preceptors. “Healthcare is incredibly small, and these relationships will pop up again.”
3. Enjoy the Journey While the fellowship interview process can be nerve-wracking, Moneal emphasized that candidates are also interviewing the organization. “See if it’s a culture fit for you. You’re deciding just as much as they are.”
4. Build Peer Connections This is especially relevant at onsite interviews and final rounds. “You’re going to meet other people applying for the same spot—stay in touch. You never know when you’ll cross paths in the future.”

Living in Charleston, South Carolina: A Perfect Backdrop for Healthcare Innovation

For anyone reluctant to move across the country, Charleston offers a unique charm that quickly converted Moneal into a proud resident. The temperate climate stands in stark contrast to Chicago winters, and the city’s beaches are just a short drive away.

Yet, the local culture has a “work hard, play hard” ethos, reflecting MUSC’s environment—laid back outside of work, yet highly focused when it’s time for business.

Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Healthcare Administration Fellowships

Moneal Desai, MHA‘s journey from Chicago to Charleston underscores the transformative power of an administrative fellowship in healthcare. At MUSC, he found not only an exceptional learning environment but also a community that supports collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth.

For those contemplating a health administration fellowship—whether at MUSC or elsewhere—Monil’s experience offers a roadmap:

• Seek out strong mentorship and a culture of openness.
• Use the fellowship as a platform to gain exposure to various projects and departments, including healthcare innovation and strategic planning in healthcare.
• Stay organized during the administrative fellowship application process, and genuinely enjoy building connections along the way.
• Embrace new possibilities—even if that means relocating to a place you’ve never lived before.

In the end, a healthcare administration fellowship is more than just a foot in the door. It’s a chance to grow personally and professionally under the guidance of experienced healthcare leaders, build a solid network, and discover the communities you can serve. And if the warmth of Charleston’s beaches and Southern hospitality happen to be part of the deal, all the better.

For those interested in pursuing similar opportunities, consider exploring programs recognized by the National Council on Administrative Fellowships and remember that the MUSC Health Administrative Fellowship is just one of many excellent options available for aspiring healthcare leaders.