It’s with great pride and excitement that we present our new brand.

A common name for a common purpose.

As we transition to ECU Health in the coming weeks and months, you will notice changes to our digital landscape, including ongoing updates to this site. Throughout this rebranding and into the future we remain committed to the communities we proudly serve. We’re excited for this evolution, and what it means for the future of health care in eastern North Carolina.

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Learn by doing.

The ECU Health Administrative Fellowship Program is an immersive, 12-month leadership development experience designed to attract, develop and retain future executives who are prepared to meet the health care challenges in eastern North Carolina.

ECU Health is one of the nation’s most dynamic health care systems, serving over 1.4 million people in 29 counties across a large and complex geographic area. For diverse health care leadership experience and training in a field that never stops changing, this is the place to be.

Our Administrative Fellowship Program gives post-graduate health care leaders the opportunity to lead and participate in strategic and operational initiatives across the organization while gaining exposure to key functions and processes of the health care delivery system. After completing our Administrative Fellowship Program, you will have unique and valuable experience working in a robust health care enterprise, and the confidence and skills needed to excel as an emerging health care leader.

Learn by doing.

The ECU Health Administrative Fellowship Program is an immersive, 12-month leadership development experience designed to attract, develop and retain future executives who are prepared to meet the health care challenges in eastern North Carolina.

ECU Health is one of the nation’s most dynamic health care systems, serving over 1.4 million people in 29 counties across a large and complex geographic area. For diverse health care leadership experience and training in a field that never stops changing, this is the place to be.

Our Administrative Fellowship Program gives post-graduate health care leaders the opportunity to lead and participate in strategic and operational initiatives across the organization while gaining exposure to key functions and processes of the health care delivery system. After completing our Administrative Fellowship Program, you will have unique and valuable experience working in a robust health care enterprise, and the confidence and skills needed to excel as an emerging health care leader.

Administrative Fellowship Program - Summary

Summary

Be part of a Progressive Health Care System

The unique delivery challenges of eastern North Carolina require leaders who are prepared to serve our communities and actively support the transformation of health care in our region. We’re ready to invest in you and your future as a health care leader. As an Administrative Fellow at ECU Health, you will build relationships and develop leadership competency that will establish the foundation for an exceptional career. Fellows with ECU Health are able to:

Be part of a mission-driven team

Work side by side with administrative and clinical leaders

Participate in personal leadership development sessions

Be supported by a diverse network of team members and leaders

Experience customized rotations in Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Quality and Population Health

Engage in executive level meetings and committees within the organization

Leadership and Mentorship

Fellows at ECU Health will have access to a variety of leaders, mentors and professional development opportunities. Fellows are assigned a preceptor and a peer mentor who provide formal support and coaching throughout the experience. Leaders from across the health system are committed to guiding, challenging and supporting the Fellows through their Fellowship experience.

The Administrative Fellowship program’s executive sponsor is Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Community Hospitals.

Administrative Fellowship Program - Requirements

Application Requirements

Qualifications

Qualified applicants must be enrolled in or have graduated from a Master’s level program in health care administration, public health, business administration or other as deemed appropriate. This position is designed to serve as an extension of an academic experience to meet requirements for degree completion or for additional exposure to health care management.

Process and Timeline

Applicants are required to submit the following in one PDF document to [email protected]:

Application Cover Sheet
Current Resume/CV
Personal Statement (2 pages maximum) including the following:
- How your interest in health care management developed
- Goals you would like to accomplish during the fellowship
- How the experience at ECU Health will advance your career
Official graduate school transcript
Two (2) signed letters of recommendation, (1) academic and (1) professional

Applications must be received by October 1, 2023.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Interested applicants must send the required documents above to [email protected]

Questions or concerns should be directed to: [email protected]

Important Dates

August 2023 - Application period opens
August and September 2023 - Informational webinars (Register here)

August 24, 2023 from 12-1 p.m.
September 19, 2023 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

October 1, 2023 - Applications are due
Week of October 9 - First round of video interviews
Week of October 16 - Second round of interviews with executive leadership
Week of October 23 - Selection and notification

Administrative Fellowship Program - Current Fellows

Current Fellows

Gabriella Boccia, MHA (She/Her/Hers)
First-Year Fellow

Gabriella obtained her Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management from East Carolina University. While at ECU, her passion for health care management flourished through her research on social determinants of health, health equity and access to care. As an Administrative Fellow and eastern North Carolina native, she is honored to be part of ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. Outside of work, Gabriella enjoys spending time with her husband, AJ and their dog, Olive at their home in Greenville.

Connect With Gabriella

Kyanh Huynh, MHA (He/Him/His)
First-Year Fellow

Kyanh is a graduate of University of North Carolina Charlotte and obtained his bachelor's degree in Health Systems Management and two minors in Communications and Public Health. He also earned his Master of Health Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology at UNCC. Kyanh has a strong passion for developing improvement strategies in health care and working in a robust system that strives to provide equitable care for all types of individuals and communities across eastern North Carolina. Kyanh enjoys traveling, eating, swimming and hiking outside of work.

Connect With Kyanh

Madison Stevens, MBA (She/Her/Hers)
2023-2025 Administrative Fellow

Originally from Rochester, Minnesota, Madison received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Health Services Administration with a minor in English and Master of Business Administration specialized in Health Services Administration from the University of South Dakota. Growing up in a medical community, she saw the impact of patient-centered care. Previously, she was an undergraduate and graduate intern at Avera Health working on several projects in Oncology, Women’s and Children’s, and Specialties Clinics. In these roles, Madison worked with influential leaders on service line coverage, new facility planning, and large capital growth justifications.

Madison chose an administrative fellowship at ECU Health for its commitment to serving Eastern North Carolinians. The mission and vision of the organization guides the initiatives and projects that we as fellows get to work on. The projects and valuable experiences at ECU Health help to build a strong foundation for health care leader.

Outside of work, Madison enjoys reading and exploring the state parks and beaches surrounding Greenville. A few of her favorite spots to go in Greenville include Smashed Waffles, B’s Barbeque, and Coastal Fog.

Connect With Madison

Rob Zerniak, MPH (He/Him/His)
2023-2025 Administrative Fellow

Rob is from Washington, NC. He went to North Carolina State University and received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Business. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a Master of Public Health degree. What drew Rob to health care and specifically ECU Health, is that he gets to help improve the lives of eastern North Carolinians and help make a difference in the community each and every day. Rob also enjoys the fact that health care is a complex system that presents new challenges that he gets to help solve and that no day is ever the same.

Rob has worked on a number of projects including corroborating the existing governance structure, worked on accreditation from the Surgical Review Corporation in MIS/Robotic surgery, analyzed budget data, prepared data summaries for senior leaders, worked on an HR policy change (reviewed and implemented new policy), and served as the project manager for a system-wide capacity dashboard project. The mission and vision are apparent in Rob's work through the passion and dedication he brings to the table each and every day. An unforgettable experience Rob has had while being a fellow was having the opportunity to be a part of the 10th anniversary of the Maynard Children’s Hospital celebration. It was an afternoon filled with gratitude and thankfulness from many of the individuals who helped make the Maynard Children’s Hospital what it is today.

Rob's hobbies outside of work include playing golf, going to the beach, and spending time with his family and friends. Robs favorite restaurant in Greenville is Atavola Market Café. His favorite dish to get is a grilled chicken dish topped with marinara and mozzarella cheese over zucchini noodles!

Connect With Rob

Program Alumni
Name

Graduate School

Year Completed Fellowship

Current Position at ECU Health

Sawyer Brown

Graduate School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2023

Current Position: Director, Support Services & Operational Improvement, ECU Health North Hospital

Koai Martin

Graduate School: University of Memphis

Year Completed Fellowship: 2022

Current Position: Equity & Special Projects Consultant

Mathew Johanson

Graduate School: University of Utah

Year Completed Fellowship: 2022

Current Position: Revenue Cycle Program Manager

Brandon Bishop

Graduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Year Completed Fellowship: 2021

Current Position: Experience Manager

Monica Menon

Graduate School: University of Pittsburgh

Year Completed Fellowship: 2021

Current Position:

Rachel Roeth

Graduate School: Ohio State University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2021

Current Position:

Dolapo Busuyi

Graduate School: East Carolina University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2020

Current Position: Digital Content Specialist, Marketing & Communications

Adam Willard

Graduate School: Ohio State University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2019

Current Position:

Jana Wong

Graduate School: SUNY Brockport

Year Completed Fellowship: 2019

Current Position:

Jordan Berry

Graduate School: University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Year Completed Fellowship: 2016

Current Position: Program Manager, Transformation Execution Office

Marlon Julius

Graduate School: University of Memphis

Year Completed Fellowship: 2014

Current Position: Operations, Administrator, ECU Health North Hospital

Lyndsey Hogue

Graduate School: Texas A&M University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2013

Current Position:

Dustin Allis

Graduate School: East Carolina University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2009

Current Position: System Service Line Administrator, ECU Health

Jay Briley

Graduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Year Completed Fellowship: 2004

Current Position: President, ECU Health Community Hospitals

Patrick Heins

Graduate School: East Carolina University

Year Completed Fellowship: 2003

Current Position: President, ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital
Examples of current roles held by former fellows include:
- Administrator
- Program/Project Manager
- Manager
- Consultant
- Senior Manager
- Director

Program Testimonials

“The Administrative Fellowship at ECU Health was a great learning experience for me as an early careerist. Coming in fresh from my MHA program I found the rotations to be really valuable. The rotations provided me with the chance to not only see what I learned in the classroom in action but also to get to know some of the ins and outs of the organization. Coming into the fellowship program I was unsure exactly where I wanted to land in the health care space. However, the program forces you out of your comfort zone into spaces you may have never thought of. I believe that because of this and the program’s emphasis on networking, I was able to find my niche within the organization.” - Koai Martin

“The ECU Health Administrative Fellowship program was a fantastic learning experience for me. Through this program I was able to gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge to be of value in a complex academic health system. The balance of support and autonomy helped push me out of my comfort zone while supplying me with the resources to succeed. The relationships I developed through this program have shaped the professional I am today and who I hope to become. I feel very fortunate to have started my career here at ECU Health.” - Mathew Johanson

“The Administrative Fellowship program was an incredible opportunity that provided a hands-on experience across our large, complex delivery system. The exposure to senior leadership was incomparable and the chance to work in various areas afforded me the opportunity to explore different career pathways. The two years I spent as a fellow gave me a strong foundation and helped jump start my career in health care strategy.” - Rachel Roeth

“The Administrative Fellowship Program was an incredible experience. I had access to all the people, places and programs that a large academic health system offers and I was able to learn from incredible leaders from across the organization. The fellowship was a perfect segue from the classroom to an applied professional setting.” - Jordan Berry

Administrative Fellowship Program - Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

ECU Health Medical Center fellows will receive a compensation package that is competitive with other fellowship programs. Fellows will receive the same benefits as other ECU Health Medical Center team members, including

Insurance benefits (medical, vision, dental, flexible spending accounts)
Short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
Option to contribute to our 401k retirement savings plan
Paid time off
Funding to attend one national conference of your choice

To access more information about the benefits, click on the link to access the All-In-Website.

Administrative Fellowship Program - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Typically, how many fellows are chosen each year for the fellowship program?
A: On average, 1-2 individuals are chosen for the fellowship program.
Q: Is the ECU Health Medical Center fellowship program a rotation-based or project-based program?
A: The fellowship program is a rotation-based program. However, fellows will complete projects throughout their rotations to support the mission of ECU Health, address strategic and/or operational areas of concerns, and gain practical experience. There should be a balance between preceptor-assigned and fellow-selected projects.
Q: How are fellows matched with preceptors?
A: Fellows are paired with preceptors prior to the fellowship beginning. Fellows are placed with SVPs where there is a need. Fellows have the opportunity to work in other divisions throughout the hospital during the program.
Q: Is past health care experience required to be selected as a fellow candidate?
A: Past experience is not a requirement, but we prefer for candidates to have past internships and work experience. We seek diverse candidates with diverse backgrounds.
Q: What types of career opportunities are available for fellows post-residency?
A: Employment is not guaranteed post-fellowship, but many past residents/fellows have been successful in obtaining permanent roles within ECU Health Medical Center or ECU Health. Former fellows currently hold roles such as Administrator, Program/Project Manager, Manager, Consultant, Senior Manager, and Director.
Q: Can the Administrative Fellowship be used as a residency placement in order to complete my master’s degree?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the Administrative Fellowship sponsor work visas?
A: ECU Health is unable to sponsor work visas for the Administrative Fellowship Program at this time.
Q: How flexible is the Administrative Fellowship’s timeline?
A: Fellows must start between June and July of the following year after acceptance. Graduation from the program is usually one year after the start date but can vary.
Q: Will ECU Health accept fellows who have obtained their graduate degree(s) in previous years?
A: Administrative Fellowship candidates must have graduated within five year(s) of the program’s start date.

Administrative Fellowship Program - About ECU Health

About ECU Health

ECU Health is a mission-driven health care system with 1,708 beds across an academic medical center with two campuses affiliated with The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University; seven community hospitals; and numerous outpatient facilities, home health, hospice and wellness centers. The not-for-profit health system employs 14,000 team members, including more than 1,100 providers and 4,000 nurses. The system also includes a multi-specialty physician and provider group, offering access to more than 500 providers in 180+ practice locations. Fellows are based at ECU Health Medical Center, a 900+ bed Level 1 Trauma Center and the heart of ECU Health’s system.