Christopher J. Durovich Administrative Fellowship

Group of leaders and aspiring leaders

Fellowship Overview

Developing aspiring leaders is essential to Children’s Health’s mission to make life better for children. The Administrative Fellowship program provides motivated health care professionals with Executive mentorship and unique exposure to Children’s Health’s rapid growth and strategic innovation. North Texas is among the nations of largest growing regions, leading Children’s Health to expand to meet the demand of our increasing patient population.

The Fellowship is a 12-month system-level overview for aspiring health care professionals. Fellows gain comprehensive exposure to hospital leadership and operations through project work and observational rotations.

Administrative Fellows complete Department rotations in clinical and non-clinical areas, followed by a 6-month elective rotation based on their areas of interest. Department rotations include but are not limited to the Plano and Dallas hospitals, Ambulatory, Finance, Strategy, Physician Operations, Nursing, Legal and Compliance, Human Resources, the Foundation, Planning Design & Construction, and Corporate Services.

Administrative Fellows are full-time Children’s Health employees who receive competitive annual compensation and a relocation stipend. Additionally, Fellows can attend local professional networking events and national conferences and pursue professional development opportunities.

Children’s Health offers industry-leading benefits:

  • Employee portion of medical plan premiums are covered after 3 years.
  • 100% match on employee savings contributions beginning at 4% on day one, increasing to 10% at 15 years.
  • Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks)
  • Caregiver Leave
  • Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement

Mentorship

Administrative Fellows are mentored by Dane Peterson, Chief Operating Officer, in both group settings and one on one meetings. Additionally, Fellows are matched with Executive and past Fellow mentors based on their interests. This includes accomplished leaders such as the Dallas Market President, Northern Market President, Executive Vice President of Corporate Services and Chief Health Equity Officer. Previous Fellow mentors guide current Fellows through the program and help the transition from Fellowship to their careers. Inpatient and Ambulatory Operations, Human Resources, Behavioral Health, and more.

Leadership

Fellows and leaders from across the system convene for a monthly luncheon to discuss relevant topics to the healthcare industry. Fellows also have the opportunity to meet with system leaders to discuss MODEL Leadership, which are the competencies required for leadership success at Children’s Health.

  • Application Information and Timeline

    We host two annual webinars to outline the details of the Administrative Fellowship. Previous and current Fellows discuss their Fellowship experiences and will answer interested applicants’ questions. The webinar is highly recommended for those interested in applying for the Administrative Fellowship at Children’s Health.

    Internal Candidates: Please refer to the Children’s Health internal website for more information - SharePoint - Administrative Fellowship Program

    Application for the Administrative Fellowship Program

    • Application Opens 6/1/2025
    • Current resume
    • Unofficial graduate school transcripts of completed courses from a program accredited by one of the following:
      • M.H.A. / M.S.H.A / M.H.S.A – Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
      • M.B.A. – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
      • M.P.H. – Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
    • Two letters of recommendation (encouraged to provide one professional and one academic)
      • Applicants should address their two letters of recommendation to the Administrative Fellowship Selection Committee
    • Personal Statement (500-word max)
      • Why do you want to pursue a career in pediatric health care administration?
      • What attracted you to apply to the Children’s Health’s Administrative Fellowship?

    Administrative Fellowship 2025-2026 application timeline:

     

  • Administrative Fellowship FAQs

    Application Process

    Am I eligible?

    • Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled or have completed their M.H.A., M.H.S.A., M.S.H.A., M.B.A., or M.P.H. from an accredited institution (i.e. CAHME, AACSB, CEPH). We do not currently accept Executive Graduate Degree programs for external candidates.

    What application materials are required for External Candidates?

    • Current Resume
    • Unofficial Graduate School Transcripts
    • Two Letters of Recommendation
    • Personal Statement (500-word max)
      • Why do you want to pursue a career in pediatric health care administration?
      • What attracted you to apply to the Children’s Health Administrative Fellowship
    • Please submit all application materials to the online application portal.

    What application materials are required for Internal Candidates?

    • Current resume
    • Unofficial graduate school transcripts of completed courses from a M.H.A., M.S.H.A, M.H.S.A, M.B.A. or M.P.H. program
    • One letter of recommendation (encouraged to provide one from Children's Health Employer).
      • Applicants should address their one letter of recommendation to the Administrative Fellowship Selection Committee.
    • Personal Statement (500-word max)
      • Why do you want to pursue a career in pediatric health care administration?
      • What attracted you to apply to Children’s Health’s Administrative Fellowship?

    How many Fellows are selected?

    • For the July 2024 cohort, we offered the Admin Fellowship position to four candidates.

    What qualities are you looking for?

    • Administrative Fellows are eager, committed, and motivated individuals passionate about pediatrics. Other qualities include relationship-building skills, the ability to navigate ambiguity, being a self-starter, and a professional demeanor in both writing and interprofessional engagements.

    Fellowship Structure/Details

    Where do Fellows rotate throughout the program?

    • Fellows have the opportunity to rotate through a system-level view of a rapidly growing pediatric health system. Department rotations include:
      • Inpatient – Children’s Medical Center Dallas
      • Inpatient – Children’s Medical Center Plano
      • Office of the Chief Medical Officer
      • Strategy
      • Corporate Services
      • Additional Support Services (e.g., Foundation, HR, Finance, Marketing and Communications)

    How long is the Administrative Fellowship?

    • The Administrative Fellowship is a 12-month full-time position (July to June) typically working regular business hours depending on rotations and project assignments.

    Where is the Fellowship located?

    • Fellows are based in Dallas and travel to the Plano hospital and ambulatory locations for rotations, shadowing and project assignments.

    What compensation/benefits are included in the Fellowship Program?

    • Fellows receive a market-competitive salary and benefits package. Some candidates are eligible for a relocation stipend based on mileage moved. Children’s does not provide housing assistance for Fellows. The program covers the registration, travel, and dining expenses for two professional conferences.
    • Children’s Health offers industry leading benefits -
      • Employee portion of medical plan premiums are covered after 3 years.
      • 4%-10% employee savings plan match based on tenure
      • Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks)
      • Caregiver Leave
      • Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement

    Does the program sponsor visas for Administrative Fellows?

    • The program does not provide visa sponsorship for Administrative Fellows. Fellows must reside within the state of Texas for the program’s duration.

    What opportunities are available after the Fellowship?

    • Fellows earn their post-Fellowship positions based on their Elective Rotations and project work throughout the program. This can include positions throughout the system, as the opportunities are not specific to one department.

    What is it like living in the Dallas area?

     

  • Fellows

    Current Fellows:

    Blake Connell, 2024 Administrative Fellow

    Blake ConnellBlake Connell serves as an Administrative Fellow in the 2024 cohort at Children’s Health.

    Prior to joining Children’s, Blake served the children of North Texas and beyond, working as a foster parent in Houston and as an Associate Program Director for Camp Sweeney here in North Texas. In summer 2023, Blake took part in ambulatory business operations and strategic planning as an intern within the department of pediatrics at Texas Children’s. Blake is eager to apply his experiences in leadership and business operations to make life better for children.

    Raised in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia, Blake received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia and is currently earning a Master of Health Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

    Carol Jiwan, 2024 Administrative Fellow

    Carol JiwanCarol Jiwan serves as an Administrative Fellow in the 2024 cohort at Children’s Health.

    Prior to joining Children’s, Carol served as a Quality Improvement Coordinator at Baylor Scott & White in Austin, TX, where she led significant improvements in specialty physician metrics, supported survey readiness processes, co-chaired the Texas State internship program, and managed clinic vendor contracts. Passionate about supporting underserved pediatric populations, Carol has volunteered in autism summer camps, as well as worked with children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and rural communities, providing care and guidance to improve quality of life.

    Carol grew up in Saudi Arabia and earned her B.S. in Physical Therapy from Manipal University in India. She then went on to complete her M.S. in Exercise Sciences and her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Texas State University.

    Hyunjee Lee, 2024 Administrative Fellow

    Hyunjee LeeHyunjee Lee serves as an Administrative Fellow in the 2024 cohort at Children’s Health.

    Prior to joining Children’s, Hyunjee served as an outpatient coordinator in psychiatric hospitals, skillfully managing care for both adults and adolescents. Her compassionate approach to guiding families through mental health crises showcased her dedication to empathy and integrity. Amid organizational changes, Hyunjee showcased adaptability by restructuring her framework, significantly enhancing program efficiency. Driven by a passion for positive change in underserved communities, she led medical mission trips to South America during graduate studies, contributing to national leadership in a global medical missions organization.

    A first-generation immigrant from South Korea, Hyunjee earned her Bachelor’s in Healthcare Studies and Business Administration Minor from the University of Texas at Dallas, followed by a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Texas Woman’s University.

    Lamonica Savage, 2024 Administrative Fellow

    Lamonica SavageLamonica Savage serves as an Administrative Fellow in the 2024 cohort at Children’s Health.

    Prior to joining the Children’s Health Administrative Fellowship team, Lamonica dedicated 21 years to the Radiology Department at Children’s Health, most recently as the Multimodality Team Leader on the Plano campus. In this role, she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to advance organizational goals and recognized that her clinical experience and passion could make a greater impact through an administrative path.

    Lamonica grew up in Jonesville, Louisiana. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences from the University of Louisiana Monroe. She then earned her Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at the University of Arizona Global Campus.

    Rani Thakkar, 2024 Administrative Fellow

    Rani ThakkarRani Thakkar serves as an Administrative Fellow in the 2024 cohort at Children’s Health.

    Prior to joining Children’s Health, Rani gained diverse experience as a Summer Administrative Resident with UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, where she leveraged data analytics, change management, and marketing skills to facilitate partnerships with an acquired health system and created a business plan for UPMC’s Domestic Concierge Department. She also collaborated with Advanced Practice Provider (APP) leadership to design a productivity-tracking database, enhancing RVU-driven metrics to improve APP utilization and guide recruitment strategies. In her role as a Student Associate in UAB Hospital’s GI Surgical Oncology Unit, Rani contributed to process improvement efforts by supporting non-clinical operations and working closely with nurse leadership to address unit needs.

    Rani calls Columbia, South Carolina home and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. She holds a Master of Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    Previous Fellows:

    July 2023-July 2024

    • Jaelyn Cooper, HIM Data Integrity Specialist I
    • Thomas Dillard, Practice Administrator
    • Summer Jaber, Program Coordinator, Operations and Strategic Planning, Strategy and Business Development
    • Shafeeq Virani, People Data Analyst

    January-December 2023

    • Eustolia Dorado, RN: Manager, Absence Management
    • Nathan Jones: Strategy and Business Development Specialist
    • Trey Jackson: Manager, Patient Access, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Plano
    • Marissa Smith, RN: Program Director, Perioperative Services

    July 2022-June 2023

    • U.D. Igwe: Program Coordinator, Operations and Strategic Planning, Performance Improvement Office
    • Jabari Robinson: Manager, Clinical Program Operations
    • Laura Catherine (LC) Vaughn: Program Coordinator, Operations and Strategic Planning, Behavioral Health
    • Brittney Ward: Program Manager, Patient Experience

    January-December 2022

    • Jordan Pitts: Program Coordinator, Operations and Strategic Planning, Dallas Emergency Department
    • Katie Kuri: Program Manager, Maternal Child Program Development
    • Vianey Romo: Project Manager, New Pediatric Campus Planning

    July 2021-June 2022

    • Timia Acklin: Program Manager, Workforce Development
    • Dillan Brewer: Director, The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

    January-December 2020

    • Andi Fernandez: Program Director, Patient Experience

    July 2016-June 2017

    • Austin Campbell: Sr. Director, Enterprise Patient Experience

    January-December 2019

    • Nathan Hozer: Program Manager, National Excellence Strategy

    July 2011-June 2012

    • Carlie Cohen: Vice President, Outpatient Operations

    July 2010-June 2011

    • Graham Torres: Vice President, Facilities Operations

    Previous Featured Fellows:

    Vianey Romo, 2022 Administrative Fellow, serves as a Program Manager for the New Pediatric Campus Planning and Design team

    Vianey Romo portraitVianey’s responsibilities include planning, programming, and implementing cross-functional enterprise initiatives.

    Vianey began her career at Children’s Health as an Administrative Fellow in 2022 where she devoted her time to Ambulatory and Outpatient Operations. Her projects focused on operational and strategic analysis, patient and employee experience, and program development. In 2023, Vianey was featured in the “Leaders of the Year” magazine for the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives.

    Prior to joining Children’s Health, Vianey spent almost five years working as the Workforce Coordinator at the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation (MCA), a not-for-profit organization in the Paso del Norte Region. She led the STEM Innovation Lab and other outreach efforts to foster the awareness of the life sciences industry to the K-12 education pipeline.

    Vianey earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a Biomedical concentration from the University of Texas at El Paso and her Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.

    Graham Torres, 2012 Administrative Fellow, serves as Vice President for Facilities Operations

    Graham TorresIn this role, Graham oversees Security, Concierge, Engineering, Environmental Services, and is the operational lead for the Children’s Medical Center Plano expansion project.

    He played a pivotal role in the design process for the Plano expansion facilitating timely operational decisions and ensuring the expansion tower supported both a superior patient family experience and the campus’ strategic clinical program growth initiatives.

    Graham joined Children’s Health in 2012 as an Administrative Fellow and has since served in various operations and business roles within the organization.

    Graham received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Mississippi State University. He earned his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    Carlie Cohen, 2010 Administrative Fellow, serves as a Vice President of Outpatient Operations

    Carlie CohenCarlie's responsibilities include overseeing the planning, development and implementation of innovative business initiatives and tactics for both practices associated with UT Southwestern and those within the Children's Health Medical Group.

    Carlie has been with Children’s Health since 2011 and has held numerous leadership roles throughout her career. She has an extensive background in process improvement projects, facilities development, strategic planning projects, patient satisfaction efforts, clinical quality and efficiency, and employee and provider engagement.

    Carlie graduated from Vanderbilt University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development. She earned her Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The John and Susie Adams Excellence Endowment

    The John and Susie Adams Excellence Endowment was graciously established in 2020 to support the Administrative Fellowship program in honor of their beloved friend and Children’s Health System Chief Executive Officer, Christopher J. Durovich.

    Established in 2005, the Fellowship program was created to provide in-depth and hands on experience for students pursuing a Master of Business Administration or Master of Healthcare Administration degree. This endowment will strengthen the ongoing training and development of future healthcare administrative leaders. The Adams’ generosity will positively impact the lives of children for generations to come.

               

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