Health administration fellowships serve as pivotal launchpads for emerging leaders in healthcare. They immerse early-career professionals in the dynamic world of hospital administration, providing unparalleled, hands-on experience while bridging the gap between academic theory and real-life practice. One such prestigious program is the Administrative Fellowship at Duke Regional Hospital, part of Duke Health, in Durham, North Carolina.
In this article, we spotlight Lauren Gregory's journey—from her initial interest in healthcare to her current fellowship role at Duke Regional, a community hospital within the Duke University Health System. Lauren's story shows how early experiences, thoughtful planning, and a strong sense of personal "fit" can catapult graduates into transformational roles in healthcare management.
Lauren Gregory originally believed she would pursue a career in physical therapy. "I was very dead set on becoming a physical therapist when I started college," she recalls. However, after taking a few prerequisite science classes, she realized that her interests were evolving. Rather than focusing on direct patient care, she discovered she was drawn to operational and strategic challenges in health administration.
Lauren had grown up in Richmond, Virginia, and decided to do her undergraduate work at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She was recruited to run track and field—a passion that taught her valuable skills in time management and goal-setting. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, most in-person college experiences and athletic events were halted. Lauren returned home to Richmond, finishing her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Resources Management. This blend of psychology and HR would eventually shape her unique viewpoint in healthcare administration and her pursuit of fellowships.
When she decided to pivot from physical therapy, Lauren sought out new experiences that would offer a birds-eye view of how healthcare systems work. She completed a summer HR internship at the Master Center for Addiction Medicine in Glen Allen, Virginia, where she began to understand the indispensable role of regulatory compliance and workforce development. "I got to do a lot of work with the Joint Commission," Lauren explains, noting it was her first exposure to critical accreditation and regulatory demands.
During this internship, she also played a leading role in establishing a diversity, equity, and inclusion club aimed at both staff and patients. This work, she notes, showcased how a workforce that mirrors the patients' background can lead to better patient experience and outcomes—particularly important in addiction medicine, where patient vulnerability is high.
Eager for more operational experience, Lauren completed a 12-week internship with Covenant Health in Knoxville, Tennessee, while pursuing her Master of Health Administration (MHA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). This role placed her at both the flagship hospital and a unionized hospital within the same system, exposing her to clinical operations, budget management, and the challenges of workforce planning. Notably, she and her team successfully reduced the use of travel nurses by 20 percent, a major accomplishment given the staffing complexities that arose with COVID-19.
For many who complete an MHA, the next step might be to leap straight into a managerial or consulting role. However, Lauren had a unique advantage: VCU's MHA program spans three years, and in the third year, students are required to complete either a fellowship or a residency. This structure helped her bypass the question of if she should pursue a fellowship and instead focus on where.
Yet Lauren is quick to point out that not all healthcare administrators have a program designed this way. She emphasizes the importance of external resources such as the National Administrative Fellowship Network (NAFCAS) and organizations like the Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals. These avenues provide guidance for students and recent graduates who might otherwise struggle to find structured fellowship opportunities for career development in healthcare management.
The fellowship application season can be daunting. Lauren applied to about 14 national fellowship programs, receiving six or seven final-round interviews. However, she is adamant that a scattershot approach isn't always the best strategy. "Sometimes more is not always better," she advises. "I focused on places I could really see myself thriving long-term."
Lauren shares that she and her fiancé, who has been her partner since high school, wanted to settle in Virginia or North Carolina. This geographic filter helped narrow her choices to fellowships on the East Coast—particularly those with robust, structured programs. She also strongly preferred a two-year fellowship over a one-year experience, wanting an initial year to gain a lay of the land followed by a second year with deeper engagement in key projects.
Lauren ultimately chose the Administrative Fellowship at Duke Regional Hospital, part of Duke University Health System (DUHS). Several factors influenced her decision:
Duke Regional's fellowship balances rotations with project-based work. This dual structure introduces Lauren to various departments, from clinical operations and human resources to quality improvement and performance excellence. She points out that her current projects do not always align with her immediate rotation focus. "It's really taught me how to juggle multiple priorities," she says, emphasizing the importance of time management and adaptability.
The program's flexibility also allows her to explore areas that interest her deeply. Given her history in HR, Lauren remains passionate about workforce strategy—particularly in retention and workplace culture. But she is equally enthusiastic about the hospital's operational pillars, such as patient flow, staff scheduling, and supply chain issues.
In addition to being an outstanding institution for a fellowship, Duke Regional Hospital is located in the heart of the Research Triangle (Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh). Lauren highlights the benefits of living in this vibrant region. "You get the city feel and the suburbs, too," she says. On weekends, she can venture into Raleigh for cultural events or unwind on the beaches of Wilmington, just two hours away. She also enjoys the short drive to the mountains of Boone—where her college years began.
Durham itself is a diverse and rapidly growing area. For food enthusiasts, the city's culinary scene is a pleasant surprise, offering globally inspired restaurants, local breweries, and everything in between. Sports fans can revel in the excitement of Duke basketball, or enjoy the city's thriving arts and music venues. These features make the region a perfect landing spot for those seeking a well-rounded lifestyle that fuses cultural richness with career growth in healthcare administration.
Lauren's guidance to aspiring fellows (or anyone navigating the early steps of a healthcare leadership career) boils down to two core ideas:
Looking back, Lauren's main takeaway is that you shouldn't shy away from fewer—but highly targeted—applications. She found that once she zeroed in on a select group of potential programs, the interviews felt more meaningful and genuine.
Lauren Gregory's path serves as an inspiring roadmap for students and professionals contemplating the fellowship route in healthcare administration. Her journey—shifting from a potential future in physical therapy to a leadership role in hospital administration—illuminates the diversity of thought and experience that organizations like Duke Regional Hospital and Duke University Hospital actively seek.
The Duke Regional Fellowship stands out as one of the top administrative fellowship programs, known for its two-year length, multiple preceptors, robust alumni network, and a strong sense of community cohesion within Duke University Health System. As an academic medical center, Duke offers unparalleled opportunities for learning and growth. Add to that the dynamic backdrop of the Research Triangle, and it's easy to see why this program attracts ambitious individuals ready to make a mark on healthcare.
For anyone teetering on the decision to pursue a health administration fellowship, Lauren's advice is clear: Go for it. The structure, mentorship, and professional opportunities provided can be a powerful catalyst, setting you up for a lifetime of leadership experience in a constantly evolving field. And if you find yourself lucky enough to match at a place like Duke Regional, you'll not only land a first-rate education—you'll also join a longstanding tradition of innovation, service, and commitment to improving the health of entire communities as part of Duke Health's mission.
