Administrative Fellowship Program

Tomorrow's Leaders

Program Structure  |  Career Opportunities  |  Current Participants  |  Application Info  

Recognizing the importance of valued and diverse leadership, Texas Health Resources is proud to sponsor an Administrative Internship program for undergraduate students and an Administrative Resident/Fellowship program for graduate and postgraduate students. The educational and experiential program is designed for students who aspire to begin a career in health care administration.

A student who successfully completes one of the Texas Health Resources administrative learning programs will be prepared with the knowledge and experience necessary to meet the demands and challenges facing tomorrow's health care industry. THR seeks to develop and learn from the program's administrative interns/residents/fellows, who will one day serve the industry as leaders exhibiting respect, integrity, compassion and excellence.

Program Structure

The administrative internship/residency/fellowship programs are directed by Douglas D. Hawthorne, the chief executive officer of Texas Health Resources.  Hawthorne serves as the program preceptor in an advisory role that pertains to:

• Discussing rotation experiences
• Guiding the professional development of the intern/resident/fellow
• Providing insight on health system initiatives
• Promoting intellectual discussions on challenging topics
• Ensuring a positive and rewarding experience

The preceptor meets monthly with each intern/resident/fellow, overseeing his or her participation in system operations and appointing a hospital or health facility president to supervise department rotations and project responsibilities.

There are three program options:

1. Administrative Internship Program:  The Administrative Internship program is offered each summer for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in health care administration or as a health care provider. The internship program offers an opportunity to gain familiarity with administrative and clinical functions and participate in daily activities of the health-care organization.
   
2. Administrative Residency Program:  The 12-month Administrative Residency program provides residents with an opportunity to apply knowledge acquired in the didactic portion of graduate education and strengthen leadership, judgment and administrative skills. Rotations are hospital and system-based and focus on the process of health care delivery in an integrated health care system. Residents complete rotations in the areas of: service line patient services, primary/ambulatory care, finance, nondirect patient care services, medical staff relations and managed care. In addition to rotations, projects are assigned to enhance each resident's experiential learning opportunity. Residents are also exposed to board, management and medical staff meetings. Individuals who complete the requirements of the residency program are eligible to enter the Administrative Fellowship program or interview for open positions within the entire organization.
   
3. Administrative Fellowship program:  The 12-month Administrative Fellowship program is for those individuals who have completed in exemplary fashion a structured, one-year Administrative Residency program with a hospital or health related organization. The program is designed with an intense focus on projects to help fellows gain experience specific to their areas of interest and identify future career options.

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Career Opportunities

Texas Health Resources conducts an extensive recruitment and selection process for the Administrative Internship/Resident/Fellowship programs, pursuing a goal to develop future leaders for the industry. Administrative interns are encouraged to pursue graduate degrees to enhance their level of knowledge and skill. Those who have completed the administrative Residency/Fellowship program may interview for open positions for which they qualify.

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Current Administrative Interns/Residents/Fellows

In July, 2008 Courtney Miller began a 12-month administrative fellowship at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, reporting to Phil Wentworth and Jeffrey Canose, M.D. She completed a 12-month administrative residency, based at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas in July 2008. Courtney received a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2007 and a Bachelor of Business degree in Finance and Insurance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2004.

Sherpri G. Giles has been assigned to Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, reporting to Mark Merrill. Giles completed her Master of Science degree in Health Administration from Indiana University, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication and Theatre with an emphasis in Journalism from Tennessee State University in 2004. 

For more information about the administrative internship/residency/fellowship experience, please e-mail FellowshipProgram@TexasHealth.org.

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Application Information

Administrative Internship program:  Undergraduate students interested in the Administrative Internship program should possess an excellent academic record and exhibit a strong interest in pursuing a career in the health care industry. The Internship program is scheduled for the summer term only.

Administrative Residency/Fellowship program:  Texas Health Resources sponsors two scholastic administrative positions each year-either as a resident or fellow. One begins in January and the other in July. The ideal candidate will have recently completed the didactic portion of a Masters of Healthcare Administration degree (MHA) or its equivalent from a graduate program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

Only those who have recently completed an MHA or equivalent degree from an accredited graduate program and have completed a structured one-year Administrative Residency program with a hospital or health-related organization will be considered for the Administrative Fellowship program.

For purposes of application, candidates should submit the following information to the e-mail address below:

• A one- to two-page cover letter stating career objectives, leadership experience, volunteer experience, relevant work experience, previous health care experience (if any) and how the Texas Health Resources administrative internship/residency/fellowship program can help to accomplish them. Also, please address why you chose to apply to THR's program.
• The type of program for which you are applying
• Resident/Fellow candidates should indicate a desired January or July start date
• A current resume

E-mail (Microsoft Word documents only) to FellowshipProgram@texashealth.org.

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