YNHHS Administrative Fellowship

Watch a special message from our preceptor, Christopher M. O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer & President, Yale New Haven Health.

Fellowship Program Structure

The YNHHS Administrative Fellowship is a two-year program that provides the fellow with a valuable, broad-based, health system experience. During the fellowship, the fellow gains exposure to Yale New Haven Health’s overall corporate services as well as Yale New Haven Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Westerly Hospital and Northeast Medical Group. From working with small community hospitals, a mid-sized urban hospital, one of the largest academic medical centers in the country to a geographically expansive medical foundation, the fellow is afforded a uniquely diverse experience.

The program begins in July with shadowing opportunities and hands on project experience with system level initiatives concentrated in year one and operational rotations in year two. During each rotation, administrative fellows are assigned an executive preceptor to support individual growth.

Fellows will be exposed to high-level executive meetings and senior-level decision making processes during each rotation. They will also be given the opportunity to participate in key projects that align with YNHHS strategic priorities. All rotations will provide fellows with experiences that touch on different aspects of healthcare and hospital administration including, but not limited to:

• Academic Medicine
• Community Health Equity and Population Health
• Financial, Budget and Capital Management
• Human Resources
• Inpatient Service Lines and Ambulatory Network Operations
• Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs
• Nursing Operations
• Patient Experience and Performance Improvement
• Patient Safety, Quality and Clinical Redesign
• Regulatory and Compliance
• Strategy, Business Development and Project Management

Projects

YNHHS fellows have the opportunity to manage numerous projects throughout their tenure. Project assignments are made at the system and delivery network level, where fellows can get involved in some of the highest-priority initiatives. Preceptors work with fellows to identify project opportunities that align with the fellows’ interests and career objectives.

Examples of former fellowship projects include:

• Management of the project team for the launch of a 100,000-square-foot ambulatory center
• Response to and due diligence for strategic affiliation Requests For Proposal
• Management of Northeast Medical Group’s Quality Measurement Program
• Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery clinical redesign initiatives
• Business plan development for an international patient program
• Data analysis around observation patients and strategic planning for the development of a new 10-bed observation unit
• Emergency Department data analysis to determine the need for care coordination and referrals to the Primary Care Center
• Implementation of YNHHS’ telehealth, employee wellness and patient engagement platforms
• Development of a community health improvement plan for nearby communities
• Co-lead corporate facilities and finance integration workstreams for three-hospital acquisition 
• Implementation of localized Special Care Unit and care pathway
• Implementation of Comprehensive Valve Center 

In addition, fellows have the opportunity to participate in operational committees and other activities throughout YNHHS. These activities offer valuable experiences in the development of a healthcare executive. Some examples include:

• Attending system, delivery network and joint board meetings
• Attending the ACHE and AAMC COTH Administrative Fellow national conferences
• Attending delivery network senior management team meetings
• Participating in Certificate of Need or new site development public hearings
• Participating in the launch of new clinical programs
• Attending System Leadership Group, System Operating Committee, system retreats, system director trainings and system strategy sessions
• Facilitating Chief Nursing Executive meetings
• Writing articles for renowned journals in the research arena
• Participating in search committees for chair/chief positions

Mentorship

YNHHS invests significantly in its fellows and is committed to furthering fellows’ leadership development. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and President of Yale New Haven Health System, fellows are offered high-level coaching and mentorship. Fellows have professional development opportunities through YNHHS’ Institute for Excellence (IFE), which provides unfettered access to management training courses. With only two system fellows selected annually, fellows have substantial access to YNHHS’ most senior executives’ guidance, initiatives and resources.

Qualifications

YNHHS seeks fellowship candidates with proven records of academic and professional excellence who demonstrate alignment with our values of patient-centered care, respect, compassion, integrity and accountability.

The YNHHS Administrative Fellowship is intended for post-graduates who have completed their graduate studies within the last 5 years. Prior to starting the fellowship program in July, interested applicants must have a master’s degree from an accredited university in:

• Health Administration (MHA or MHSA)
• Public Health (MPH)
• Business Administration (MBA) or Public Administration (MPA) with a health care management focus
• Or other health care management related master’s degree program with relevant experience

The YNHHS fellowship experience requires self-motivation and willingness to step forward and engage with leaders and team members on projects throughout the system. Therefore, relevant healthcare work experience is strongly preferred. A strong record of leadership and teamwork and clear demonstration of excellent verbal and written communication skills are also essential.

Applying to the YNHHS Fellowship

Yale New Haven Health is a member of the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF), follows NCAF’s voluntary Code of Good Practice and accepts applications through the National Administrative Fellowship Centralized Application Service (NAFCAS). Read more about the National Council on Administrative Fellowships. Interviews for the fellowship take place each year in the fall, and fellows begin their two-year program each July. 

The application process is two parts and required components of the application are as follows:: 

1. All required materials for the NAFCAS application should be submitted to the NAFCAS online application system which are due the last Friday in September each year (confirm date with NAFCAS timeline). The application components are: cover letter, resume, personal statement, essay question response (in the Questions quadrant), unofficial undergraduate transcripts as well as official graduate transcripts and three (3) letters of recommendation (1) Academic, (1) professional, and (1) other (academic, professional, or letter from your program director)
2. Complete the online Administrative Fellow application at YNHHS Careers (available August through October). 

NOTE:  All Yale New Haven Health employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or meet the criteria to be formally excluded through a verified medical or religious exemption.

For additional information or questions, please email Susan Castagna at [email protected] or call 203-200-3719.