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Developing leaders who inspire health and connect with heart

Welcome to Beacon Health System’s Administrative Fellowship Program

Why choose Beacon Health for your administrative fellowship?

Beacon’s administrative fellowship program offers projects that help each fellow truly understand how the hospital and health system function. Our program is designed to challenge you through multiple 6 month rotations that span up to two years. We work with you in devising these rotations based on work experience, career goals, and Beacon’s business needs drive rotation selection.

  • four, six-month rotations will expose you to different business units and refine your management and leadership skills
  • experiential learning and mentoring
  • hands-on projects at both systemwide and business unit levels
  • regular involvement in key leadership and board meetings

“Being a Beacon Administrative Fellow exposes you to things such as strategy sessions, board meetings and other things that usually only senior leadership participates in. Thus, Fellows are well suited for faster and greater advancement.”

~Cindie McPhie – Vice President of Operations, Elkhart General Hospital

About Beacon Health System & the community we call home

Beacon is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system. With 8 hospitals and 74 outpatient clinics, we are the regional leader in comprehensive, integrated services — from childbirth and pediatrics to cancer, trauma, heart and vascular, stroke, orthopedics and sports medicine, surgery, mental health and so much more.

Our mission is to deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart. Here at Beacon, we lead with our hearts — providing the best care and the best experience to each and every person. That is our calling. That is why we love what we do. Learn more about Beacon

Beacon has locations throughout the region known as Michiana – an area that includes the towns of South Bend, Elkhart and extends into southern Michigan. Our community in the Great Lakes Region includes sports, arts and cultural heritage attractions and events, vibrant downtown communities and extensive outdoor recreation and shopping venues.

Learn MoreMeet Our Current Fellows Join Our Talent Network

About Beacon Health System’s Administrative Fellowship Program

Our administrative fellowship program provides a unique opportunity to learn operations across Beacon Health System through rotation-based projects and leadership development. The program is designed to help you gain experience from various management styles, department structures, data systems, and operational designs.

Our rotations aim to provide a well-rounded fellowship experience and include:

  • Beacon Medical Group
  • Elkhart General Hospital or Memorial Hospital of South Bend
  • A corporate department, and
  • A department of the fellow’s choice

During your rotations you will have opportunities to lead projects at the department, entity, or system level based on needs at the time. You will also serve as support to engage in specific project work. Your preceptor for Beacon Medical Group, Elkhart General Hospital or Memorial Hospital of South Bend will be the Vice President of Operations of that entity. In corporate departments, the preceptor will vary. For example, the Controller is the preceptor in Finance and the Chief Strategy Officer in Strategy.

Mentorship and Development

Each fellow is assigned a mentor to offer advice and provide support throughout the fellowship. Outside of the formal mentorship, you will have ready access to the leadership team and the opportunity to attend executive, leadership and board meetings.

During your time with Beacon Health, we want to help you develop into a future executive leader ready to contribute to the advancement of healthcare.

Current and Previous Rotations

  • Memorial Hospital of South Bend
  • Elkhart General Hospital
  • Beacon Medical Group
  • Strategy, Supply Chain, and Retail
  • Finance – Revenue Cycle

System Exposure

  • Executive Leadership Meetings
  • COVID Planning Task Force
  • Business Performance Task Force
  • Incident Command
  • Hospital, Medical Group, and System Board Meetings: Audit Committee, Finance Committee, and Investment Committee
  • Clinical Excellence Council Meetings
  • Master Facility Planning Steering Committee
  • Joint Commission Surveys
  • Leadership Retreats
  • Hospital Leadership Committee
  • Performance Improvement Initiatives
Hackathon_Kreg Gruber_Speaking to group

Previous Fellow Projects

  • Memorial Hospital Capital Improvement Plan
  • Physician Needs Analysis
  • Clinical site evaluation
  • Respiratory room implementation at primary care clinics
  • Revenue cycle system implementation
  • Business plan development
  • System Wide Newborn Scheduling Standardization
  • Ambulatory Service Line Implementation

Our Current Administrative Fellows

Staisy Cardenas
2nd Year Fellow
  • Education: Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from DePauw University and Master’s in Healthcare Management degree from Indiana University – Bloomington
  • Mentor: Jennifer Pierce, Manager, BMG Education/Float Pool
  • Previous Rotation: Elkhart General Hospital, Human Resources
  • Current Rotation: Beacon Medical Group

Staisy Cardenas is originally from Michoacán, Mexico but grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. Her projects have included operationalizing the Beacon Scholar Program, workflow standardization in the ambulatory setting, and patient bed placement improvement. Staisy is involved with multiple DE&I efforts in the system and has a special interest in health equity, healthcare access, and community outreach. Outside of work, Staisy enjoys spending time wither puppy, Archie, family and friends as well as continuing to explore the South Bend/Mishawaka and Elkhart areas.

Huda Syed
2nd Year Fellow
  • Education: Bachelor’s in Biology from Trinity University and Master’s in Healthcare Administration/Business Administration from the University of Houston – Clear Lake
  • Mentor: Susan King, President, Beacon Health Foundation
  • Previous Rotations: Finance – Revenue Cycle, Memorial Hospital of South Bend
  • Current Rotation: Strategy & Digital Growth

Huda Syed was born and raised in Houston, TX. Huda’s professional interests include clinical operations, healthcare equity, and strategy. Her projects have focused on Anthem timely filing submissions, Cerner assessments, Joint Commission survey, and performance improvement with Surgical Services. Outside of work, Huda enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, reading, and traveling.

Shaelyn Richardson
1st Year Fellow
  • Education: Bachelor’s in Public Health and Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Kentucky
  • Mentor: Kimberly Green Reeves, Director Community Impact
  • Current Rotation: Elkhart General Hospital

Shaelyn Richardson was born and raised in Danville, KY. Shaelyn’s first rotation is at Elkhart General Hospital, where she reports directly to the VP of Operations. She is currently involved in various projects with focuses on system wide patient transport, EGH quality/safety, and Phreesia implementation. Shaelyn’s professional interests include patient safety and experience, quality, community, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Outside of work, Shaelyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, prioritizing self-care, and watching sports.

Blake Bertles
1st Year Fellow
  • Education: Bachelor’s from Indiana University – South Bend and Master’s of Healthcare Administration from Purdue University
  • Mentor: Carl Risk, President of Elkhart General Hospital
  • Current Rotation: Patient Accounting; Revenue Cycle Management & Finance

As a lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana, Blake Bertles was drawn to the Administrative Fellowship position so he could have the opportunity to give back and play a small role in shaping the future of community based healthcare right here in his hometown. Currently, Blake is spending his time in Patient Accounting-- Revenue Cycle Management & Finance. During his rotation in patient accounting he is providing hands-on administrative support for the department. His projects have focused on data analysis, data validation, labor budgeting, and the standardization of departmental operations.

Blake’s professional interests include quality & patient safety, performance improvement, and the retail model of healthcare. His goal is to use his passion of working with people as a way to further influence how quality patient care is delivered to our community members. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, coaching fast-pitch softball, writing and recording music, watching live music and sporting events, and traveling.

Samuel Dobbins
1st Year Fellow
  • Education: Bachelor’s in Family and Child Science from Florida State University and Master’s in Health Administration from Florida A&M University.
  • Mentor: Rodrigo Correa, Director of Rehab Inpatient Services
  • Current Rotation: Memorial Hospital of South Bend

Samuel Dobbins is originally from Tampa, FL. Samuel’s first rotation is at our Memorial Hospital of South Bend where he reports directly to the President of the hospital. Projects he has worked on includes conducting a Safety risk assessment for a community-wide project between Memorial and other local entities, participating in initiatives to optimize length of stay for patient safety at Memorial Hospital, and providing management support for potential new service lines to expand Beacon’s services. Samuel has a professional interest in mental health, healthcare access and operational efficiency. Outside of work Samuel enjoys working out, watching sports, reading and trying new food places.

Previous Fellows

2020-2022

Benjamin Kern – Manager of Operations at Beacon Medical Group

Noah Schrader – Consultant at FORVIS

How to Apply

The Administrative Fellowship is part of Beacon Health System’s Management Development Program (MDP), a rotational leadership program that builds a foundation for professionals who aspire to be healthcare leaders. Beacon Health System generally accepts two (2) fellows each year. Applications are accepted starting in the Fall with rotations starting in the Summer of the following year.

 

  • Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration or a related field is required. Knowledge of hospital operations that was obtained through an internship or previous administrative experience is preferred.
  • Fellows receive a competitive salary and full benefits, including paid time off and medical/dental/vision.
  • Join Our Talent Network

 

Additional questions? Contact us: adminfellows@beaconhealthsystem.org