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Administrative Fellowship
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research, and family-friendly design. As the largest freestanding pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, Lurie Children’s is an academic pediatric healthcare leader committed to providing unsurpassed healthcare for children and educating future healthcare leaders. Our Administrative Fellowship Program fulfills that commitment by providing analytical, financial, and leadership experiences to diverse and emerging healthcare leaders in a dynamic environment to achieve a healthier future for the children we serve.
This is an 18 to 24-month Administrative Fellowship that allows the fellow to gain exposure to all facets of the organization. Year 1 of the Fellowship is project based, ensuring that the fellow works closely with senior leadership on projects that address operational and strategic initiatives and support the mission of Lurie Children’s, while also allowing the fellow to tailor the experience to align with their personal interests. The fellow is invited to attend leadership and board meetings and is encouraged to enhance their experience by shadowing and seeking out other activities across the organization. Year 2 provides the fellow the opportunity to pursue an interim management role, stretch assignment, or department specific project support depending on the organizational need and fellow's interest. The fellow will be encouraged to start applying for full-time roles around 18 months and is expected to complete their fellowship at 24 months.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a top-tier academic pediatric healthcare institution. As such, the Fellowship program allows for future healthcare leaders to develop their skillset in this unique and enriching environment, while highlighting the individual’s skillset and allowing unique opportunities for continued growth. The goal of the program is to prepare the Fellow for immediate success in their next role, and eventual success in healthcare leadership, while promoting a culture that embraces the Power of All values.
Objectives
The objectives of the fellowship include:
- Postgraduate experiential learning and professional growth through projects, shadowing/observations, leadership meetings, and conferences.
- Contribution to the organization through projects based on personal interest and organizational goals.
- Fostering mentor/mentee relationships with the senior executive team.
Executive Sponsor & Formal Mentors
Executive Sponsor
- Administrative Fellow reports directly to Dr. Derek Wheeler, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Formal Mentors
- Colin Harding, Senior Director of Strategic Planning
- Kendra Allaband, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer
- Phil Schettenhelm, Senior Director of Pediatrics Administration and Operations
- Each leader provides support and guidance for learning opportunities, project work, and professional development throughout the fellowship. Meetings with each mentor occur biweekly.
How to Apply
Please monitor for updates regarding the 2025 application cycle for the 2026–2028 Administrative Fellowship, expected to be released in Summer 2025.
Summer Administrative Internship
Lurie Children’s also offers a project-based summer Administrative Internship for first year graduate students.
Contact the Current Fellow
Elizabeth Sandfort, MHSA, MS | University of Kansas Medical Center
Administrative Fellow
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
312.227.5588adminfellowship@luriechildrens.org
Previous Fellows
2023-24
Rwan Ibrahim, MPH | Northwestern University – Feinberg School of Medicine
Highlighted Projects:
- Led Department of Pediatrics gap analysis of 10 interdisciplinary support services to align with FY23 strategy optimization initiatives
- Facilitated the reactivation of 8 beds for CCU overflow in partnership with CCU and PICU leadership, increasing patient capacity and reducing denials
- Co-led virtual sitting implementation by driving RFP process, policy design, business plan development, and vendor negotiations
- Collaborated with CIN to expand the Pediatric Headache Program by creating dedicated appointment slots, enhancing neurology access and boosting CIN referral retention
Current Position: Senior Project Manager, Lurie Children’s Medical Group, Inc.
2022-23
Tyler Morgan, MHA | The George Washington University
Highlighted Projects:
- Facilitated length of stay and throughput initiatives by implementing predictive discharge tools
- Co-led efforts to improve chair utilization in the ambulatory infusion center through dashboard analytics and template modifications
- Conducted financial analysis to improve provider billing practices across pediatric divisions
Current Position: Business Operations Manager, Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Lurie Children’s
2021-22
Erin Sam, MHA | UNT Health Science Center
Highlighted Projects:
- Revised and redesigned the MR Safety Program
- Conducted research analysis on top children’s hospitals and presented findings to Executive Leadership Team
- Interim management role in the division of Emergency Medicine and Dermatology
Current Position: Manager Division Operations for Emergency Medicine, Lurie Children’s
2020-21
Nicole Vershaw, MHA | University of Iowa
Highlighted Projects:
- Supported and coordinated COVID related initiatives
- Redesigned DOSE call to increase transparency on safety and operational related issues
- Interim management role in the Department of Anesthesia
Current Position: Account Executive at UnitedHealthcare
2019-20
Matthew Ludwig, MS-HSM | Rush University
Highlighted Projects:
- Acting project manager for strategic partnership initiatives
- Developed recommendation for long-term ambulatory services operational initiative to ensure continued quality of care
- Implemented family-centered rounding process on specific unit and organization-wide staff support program
Current Position: Division Administrator, Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Lurie Children’s
2018 -19
Preston Blackburn, MPH | Texas A&M University
Highlighted Projects:
- Created an institution-wide recommendation to improve after-hour communication between primary care providers and Lurie Children’s specialists
- Co-led committee focused on improving employee engagement through developing culture champions, employee recognition, and improving diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Developed a needs assessment and market landscape analysis to identify current state of homelessness and home instability among Chicago youth
Current Position: Senior Practice Manager, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern Medicine
2018-2019
Jessica Prieskorn, MHSA | University of Michigan
Highlighted Projects:
- Directed a workgroup measuring the impact of a new, transformative psychiatric inpatient care model
- Co-managed a $1.5M budget for six strategic clinical initiatives through tracking program development, hiring, and spending versus budget
- Developed local and regional multi-year growth strategy recommendations aligned with national healthcare trends and organization’s strategic goals
Current Position: Director, Population Health, Hopscotch Primary Care
2017-18
Amelia Aiello, HCMBA | Loyola University Chicago
Highlighted Projects:
- Project manager for taskforce charged with assessing processes used to develop external hospital partnerships and outpatient satellites
- Created a dashboard to track FTE usage and determine causes of budget variances
- Conducted an extensive analysis of 40 hospitals in the Chicago market and presented opportunities for expanded partnerships to the executive leadership team and academic chairs
Current Position: Division Administrator for Emergency Medicine, Child Abuse Pediatrics, & Dermatology, Lurie Children’s
2016-17
Jasmine Rossman, MS-HSM | Rush University
Highlighted Projects:
- Opening new Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center
- Facilitated the ongoing program enhancements for the fellowship
- Aided in planning for the inpatient expansion project
Current Position: Senior Performance Improvement Consultant, Lurie Children’s
2015-16
Emily LeVin, MHA | University of Minnesota
Highlighted Projects:
- Comparative data assessment and presentation of top pediatric healthcare facilities
- Comprehensive review of linen distribution and usage with implemented recommendations on improved processes and cost savings
- Observation and analysis of provider ambulatory utilization and throughput
Current Position: Division Administrator, Northwestern Medicine
2014-15
Shanna Kirshenblatt, MHSA | University of Michigan
Highlighted Projects:
- Analyzed and provided recommendations regarding convenient care models
- Led and facilitated Heart Failure team achieving Center of Excellence designation
- Conducted a market analysis and proposed partnership opportunities with a children’s hospital in Peoria, IL
Current Position: Director, Pharmacy Services Innovation at Shoppers Drug Mart
2013-14
Alexandra Lennox Sals, MHA | University of Michigan
Highlighted Projects:
- Peripheral IV infiltrate scale implementation
- International Patient Services department/program development
- Daily safety debriefs implementation
Current Position: Director of Operations, Digestive Health Center, Northwestern Medicine
2012-13
Francesca Chiappo Sherman, MHSA | George Washington University
Highlighted Projects:
- International patients operational/financial workflow
- Implementation of family-activated response team
- Monitored and reported to senior management quarterly key performance indicators for relocation project
Current Position: Senior Manager, Ernst & Young
2011-12
Ryan Howard, MHA | University of Minnesota
Highlighted Projects:
- Designed, implemented and managed the Move Support Center
- Implemented a new scheduling process for the echo lab
- Developed business plan for new convenient care clinic in Lincoln Park
Current Position: President, RMH Systems, Inc.
2010-11
Phil Schettenhelm, MHSA | Georgetown University
Highlighted Projects:
- Ambulance and route planning for move day to Lurie Children’s
- Investiture committee consultant RFP/selection
- New hospital outpatient and operating room space utilization tool
Current Position: Senior Director of Pediatrics Administration & Operations, Lurie Children’s
2009-10
Colleen Russell, MHSA | University of Michigan
Highlighted Projects:
- H1N1 emergency preparedness
- Collaboration with the Feinberg School of Medicine on research forms
- Accountable care organizations
Current Position: System Engagement Director, Northwestern Medicine
2008-09
Olga Bergman, MHSA | Georgetown University
Highlighted Projects:
- Ambulatory patient access
- Hospital transparency
- Physician education
Current Position: Director of Product Management, Lurie Children's
2007-08
Colin Harding, MHSA | University of Michigan
Highlighted Projects:
- Worked with Impact Advisors, LLC, to coordinate, manage, and develop the short-term and long-term hospital information technology plan
- Designed and led an investigation of helicopter transports and the additional clinical risk of using an off-site helipad
- Analyzed Emergency Department utilization data to identify which geographic areas produced the largest volume
Current Position: Senior Director of Strategic Planning, Lurie Children’s
About Lurie Children's
In the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report rankings of the Best Children’s Hospitals, Lurie Children’s continues to be the top hospital in Illinois, ranking in 11 specialties.
Four words that perfectly articulate the promise we make to every family, every day. It’s not just a tagline — it’s our rallying cry. Whether it’s cutting-edge research, community advocacy or the very best clinical care, everything we do is driven by an intense passion to help kids become healthy, happy adults.
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Lurie Children's provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design.
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