For aspiring healthcare administrators, the journey from graduate school to a leadership position often involves critical decision points. One such pivotal stepping stone is a healthcare administration fellowship, a structured program that allows recent graduates to gain exposure to the multifaceted world of hospital administration and healthcare operations. Recently, we had the opportunity to learn about this process and the rich experiences it entails through the lens of an administrative fellow at CommonSpirit Health, Rasika Mukkamala, MHA. Her story provides valuable insight into the decision-making process, the importance of varied experiences, and how to stay true to oneself amid an often intense and competitive application cycle for admin fellowship jobs.
Rasika's journey into the realm of healthcare administration began with a background that was anything but one-dimensional. Born and raised in the Denver suburbs, she ventured to Omaha, Nebraska, for her undergraduate degree at Creighton University. There, she pursued Healthcare Administration and Policy with minors in Public Health and Biology. Following that, her path led her to the University of Iowa, where she earned her Master of Health Administration (MHA).
This layered educational background introduced Rasika to a broad spectrum of healthcare disciplines. She gained firsthand exposure to primary care and ambulatory operations through a graduate internship at UCHealth, nurturing a passion for improving access and quality care delivery. This diverse foundation enabled her to discover a crucial realization: depth in one area can be enhanced by breadth in many, setting the stage for her future in healthcare administration fellowship programs.
Rasika's early internship experiences helped shape her approach and career ambitions. One noteworthy internship took place within the women's service line at CHI Health (now part of CommonSpirit Health) during the pandemic. In that role, she learned how to navigate COVID-19 protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) needs, and patient and employee education around vaccine options. Seeing how rapidly the organization adapted to unprecedented challenges taught her the importance of responsiveness and innovation in healthcare administration.
She also had an opportunity to briefly explore infection control. There, as a budding professional still weighing possibilities—MHA, MBA, or MPH—Rasika examined what it might mean to become an infection preventionist. Though she eventually chose the MHA route, this experience honed her appreciation for epidemiology, patient safety standards, and continuous quality improvement. Ultimately, observing the meticulous work that goes into infection prevention efforts heightened her respect for all the behind-the-scenes roles that ensure patient and staff well-being.
Furthermore, Rasika's research exposure, from cancer studies to investigating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cultivated a deep respect for the scientific rigor and contributions of academic medicine. Although she ultimately found herself more drawn to the business and strategic side of care delivery, these varied encounters made her more empathetic and knowledgeable about the full spectrum of healthcare services.
Another pivotal internship experience took place at UCHealth, a large system known for its commitment to innovation and high-quality care. This 12-week, rotational administrative internship at a community hospital highlighted the critical role these facilities play. Often overshadowed by academic medical centers, community hospitals are vital access points for patients, delivering exceptional care closer to home.
During her rotation, Rasika spearheaded a project centered on streamlining new employee orientation. Through this human resources-related endeavor, she gained a profound appreciation for the complexities of workforce management—a topic more pressing than ever amid national staffing shortages. Learning to care for clinicians and operational staff from an administrative standpoint underscored how the well-being of the workforce directly influences patient outcomes. This experience proved that human resources and personnel strategy are essential levers in the broader mission of improving patient care.
The decision to pursue an administrative fellowship was never far from Rasika's mind. Even before solidifying her choice of an MHA, she had encountered alumni and mentors who spoke highly of fellowships as a critical transition point between classroom learning and leadership opportunities. For her, a healthcare administration fellowship represented a chance to affirm her interests, gain structured mentorship, and refine the skill sets necessary for effective healthcare leadership.
But what is an administrative fellowship? It's a program that allows both clarity and exploration. For individuals like Rasika, who find many aspects of healthcare administration intriguing, a fellowship offers exposure to multiple domains—operations, ambulatory care, strategic planning, human resources, and beyond. It provides the space and support to discover not only what excites you, but also which areas might be better left to other specialists within the organization.
For many aspiring fellows, the application cycle for administrative fellowship programs can feel overwhelming. Tight timelines, multiple rounds of interviews, and quick decision-making can create high pressure. Rasika's experience, however, underlines the value of thorough preparation, introspection, and authenticity.
She started by building a list of fellowship programs based on geography, organizational mission, and personal values. Critically, she asked herself a key question for every option: "If I get an offer from this program, will I accept it?" This mindset helped her refine her choices, ensuring that every application she submitted was genuine. It also positioned her well when offers arrived, as she had already done the mental homework of truly wanting each role she pursued.
Rasika also emphasizes the importance of early preparation—front-loading application materials, researching organizations thoroughly, and connecting with current or former administrative residents. By doing so, she reduced stress later in the process. She kept notes on each program's mission, the projects discussed in informational interviews, and the values that resonated with her. This careful cataloging meant that when interviews came, she was ready to show a deep understanding of the organizations and how her skills aligned with their goals.
Ultimately, Rasika accepted an admin fellowship at CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit integrated health systems in the nation. The CommonSpirit Health administrative fellowship program offers an 18-month system-wide fellowship often divided into hospital administration, ambulatory care, and a period of interim management. Although structured, the fellowship also allows fellows to tailor their rotations based on personal interests. Rasika's focus on ambulatory care, supported by her preceptor and leadership team, reflects the organization's flexibility in meeting the fellow's developmental needs.
Crucially, CommonSpirit's longstanding history with administrative fellows has fostered a supportive environment. Leadership, staff, and mentors were prepared even before Rasika's arrival, welcoming her with a calendar of meetings and projects. The robust mentoring culture at CommonSpirit ensures that fellows receive guidance from senior executives, preceptors, directors, and a network of alumni fellows. This multi-tiered mentorship model acknowledges that career growth isn't one-dimensional—every individual can offer unique insights and expertise.
When asked what advice she would share with future administrative fellowship applicants, Rasika is clear: authenticity matters. Instead of joining activities solely to strengthen one's resume, she recommends pursuing projects and engagements that genuinely spark interest and joy. For her, participating in a podcast during her graduate program—simply because it seemed like fun—sparked great conversations during fellowship interviews. It showed who she was beyond the academic transcript, highlighting creativity, initiative, and communication skills.
She also advises future fellows to resist comparisons. Each applicant brings a unique background and perspective to the table. Just because a peer takes a particular route does not mean it's the right path for everyone. By staying true to personal values and trusting in one's distinct attributes and experiences, candidates can present a richer, more compelling story.
Finally, flexibility is key. In her fellowship, Rasika found unexpected fulfillment working on business development projects. This unanticipated area turned out to be a source of excitement and career growth. Keeping an open mind ensures that fellows can discover new passions and refine their professional identity.
The administrative fellowship application cycle is short and intense. One day might bring multiple interviews, the next day a job offer, and a week later, the start of a whole new professional chapter. Rasika emphasizes that it all works out in the end. By focusing on thorough preparation, personal authenticity, careful program selection, and embracing mentorship, candidates can navigate this process with confidence.
Her journey offers a valuable blueprint for early careerists considering a healthcare administration fellowship. For those contemplating a career in healthcare operations and hospital administration, Rasika's experiences underscore the importance of meaningful engagement, strategic exposure, and staying true to one's personal and professional goals. The CommonSpirit Health Administrative Fellowship, with its rotational program structure and emphasis on leadership development, provides an excellent platform for growth.
In a field as complex and evolving as healthcare, future leaders who approach their growth with authenticity and openness will be better equipped to drive positive change for patients, clinicians, and communities alike. Whether through project management, clinical exposure, or participation in senior leadership meetings, administrative fellows at national health systems like CommonSpirit Health gain invaluable experience that shapes their future careers in healthcare administration.
The administrative fellowship program at CommonSpirit Health, as an integrated health system, offers a unique opportunity for non-clinical exposure to various operational divisions. This cohort model of fellowship allows for a comprehensive understanding of healthcare administration, fostering diversity in healthcare leadership and preparing the next generation of healthcare administrators to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
