Hannah Hawthorne, an administrative fellow at UVA Health University Medical Center (UVA Health Administrative Fellowship), has spent over a decade in healthcare, transitioning from pharmacy technician to a rising leader in healthcare management. Her journey through hospital administration fellowships is marked by resilience, curiosity, and a deep passion for innovation in healthcare operations and clinical research.
In a recent interview on The Fellowship Review, Hannah shared her career path, challenges, and insights gained during her healthcare administrative fellowship at one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Hannah relocated to Virginia to join UVA Health's Administrative Fellowship Program. Reflecting on her transition to the East Coast, she noted the opportunities for cultural and professional development:
"I love how centralized everything is here. The diversity in Virginia has been incredible—meeting people from different backgrounds has enriched my perspective both personally and professionally."
Hannah's career began as a pharmacy technician in her senior year of high school. After working through undergrad and even teaching pharmacy classes as an adjunct professor, she discovered her true calling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I worked on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, a project led by an administrative fellow, and saw how impactful non-clinical roles could be in public health. It shifted my focus to healthcare administration and sparked my interest in hospital administration fellowships," she explained.
The pandemic brought about a pivotal moment in Hannah's career. While helping coordinate the vaccine rollout at the University of Utah, she realized the power of administrative roles in shaping healthcare delivery and quality improvement.
"The fellowship project showed me how much impact a non-clinical worker can have on public health and community wellness," she said.
This realization led her to pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at the University of Utah, where she received extensive support for her fellowship applications. Many aspiring healthcare leaders often ask, "What is an administrative fellowship?" Hannah explains:
"An administrative fellowship is a unique opportunity for recent MHA graduates to gain hands-on experience in healthcare management and operations. These healthcare admin fellowships provide exposure to various aspects of hospital administration, including human resources, organizational development, and clinical operations. The program provided interview coaching, a fellowship prep course, and mentorship that helped me identify the opportunities that best aligned with my goals."
Before pivoting to healthcare, Hannah pursued her undergraduate studies in English Literature and Japanese Studies, driven by her family's legacy in education. Her time in Japan, including a mission trip and a study-abroad semester, gave her a global perspective on healthcare accessibility and policy.
"Navigating Japan's healthcare system while learning the language was eye-opening. It helped me understand the challenges non-native speakers face in accessing care. That experience shaped my approach to fostering inclusivity in healthcare and medical education," she explained.
Hannah's passion for cultural competence has informed her approach at UVA Health, which serves a diverse patient population and emphasizes community partnerships.
Hannah chose UVA Health for its focus on mentorship, challenging projects, and its status as a prestigious academic medical center. The two-year rotational program allowed her to work on high-impact projects right from the start, gaining exposure to various aspects of healthcare operations and healthcare technology.
In her first year, she played a key role in opening Virginia's first comprehensive Parkinson's Disease Clinic.
"It was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with clinical leaders like Dr. Shaw, who was so patient and supportive. From soft launch to grand opening, the project gave me a chance to grow my skills in project management and business development while directly improving patient experience," she shared.
Hannah also highlighted the healthcare mentorship at UVA Health, particularly from senior leaders like Wendy Horton, FACHE.
"The healthcare administrative fellowship is tailored to the individual. They curate projects that align with your growth areas while offering the guidance you need to succeed in healthcare management," she said.
As she enters her second year, Hannah has shifted her focus to sustainability initiatives, demonstrating the diverse opportunities available in healthcare administration careers.
"Healthcare's environmental impact is significant. I'm exploring ways we can reduce carbon emissions to ensure we're not inadvertently harming the populations we aim to serve," she explained.
Hannah is passionate about addressing healthcare's environmental footprint, an area that intersects with healthcare policy and population health. She cited statistics showing that if the U.S. healthcare system were a country, it would rank seventh globally in carbon emissions.
"While I haven't seen hospitals directly harming their communities through pollution, the overall carbon footprint of healthcare is undeniable. Addressing this issue is critical to public health and requires innovative approaches in healthcare innovation," she emphasized.
Her work aligns with broader industry trends, such as The Joint Commission's new Sustainable Healthcare Certification.
"Sustainability is becoming a priority in healthcare, and it's exciting to be on the leading edge of this movement," she said.
A unique aspect of Hannah's fellowship was attending the Disney Institute Leadership Training, an immersive experience that taught her how to lead with intention and adaptability in healthcare management.
"Disney's concept of FAIL—First Attempt in Learning—resonated deeply. It encouraged me to embrace risks and see mistakes as opportunities for growth in organizational development," she shared.
The training also emphasized anchoring leadership in core values. For Hannah, trust and empathy guide her approach to challenges in healthcare operations.
"I trust my team and remain empathetic when setbacks occur. These values help me navigate complex situations while maintaining focus on our goals," she explained.
Throughout her career, mentorship has been a cornerstone of Hannah's success. From her early days as a pharmacy technician to her current MHA fellowship, she has sought guidance from experienced professionals in healthcare management.
"The mentorship at UVA Health has been phenomenal. It's a unique blend of structure and flexibility that allows fellows to tailor their experiences to their interests in healthcare finance, healthcare analytics, and other crucial areas," she said.
Looking ahead, Hannah envisions a career where she can drive meaningful change in healthcare, possibly as a Chief Sustainability Officer or in executive leadership.
"This fellowship has given me the tools and confidence to take on leadership roles that align with my passions for public health and sustainability," she said.
Hannah's journey underscores the transformative potential of hospital administration fellowships. By combining mentorship, challenging projects, and opportunities for personal growth, these programs prepare emerging leaders to make a lasting impact in healthcare management.
"Healthcare administration fellowships provide a safe space to learn and grow while working on high-level initiatives. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to UVA Health's mission of delivering exceptional care," she said.
Hannah's story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to improving healthcare operations. As she continues to grow in her career, she remains focused on creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all, embodying the true spirit of leadership development in healthcare administration.
