Administrative Fellowship Program

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The Avera Administrative Fellowship is designed to offer a comprehensive learning opportunity and guided work experience in health care administration. As a fellow, you'll gain experience in a variety of medical areas, including:

  • Rural health care 
  • Acute care hospitals 
  • Long-term care facilities 
  • Clinic management 
  • Health systems management 

Primarily located at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, SD, the fellowship will provide direct experience at multiple locations throughout Avera’s health care system. This fellowship program is designed to benefit the fellow, the organization and the administrative profession — equipping fellows with the skills needed to become leaders and mentors of the future.

Fellowship Program Details

Structure, Roles & Responsibilities

The one-year fellowship is designed to offer a moderately structured environment with a high level of flexibility. The fellowship is structured to where the fellow will report directly to the designated regional president at the facility where the fellowship position resides.

Below is a brief summary of roles and responsibilities the fellow will encounter throughout the fellowship experience:

  • Attend and participate in administrative staff meetings, hospital board of trustee meetings, board committee meetings, medical staff committee meetings as desired, invited and assigned.
  • Undertake, coordinate and complete selected projects according to needs of the institution and the interest of the fellow.
  • Make suggestions/recommendations to the president based on organizational observations.
  • Schedule meetings with all department heads and nurse managers to gain an understanding of departmental/unit operations.
  • Schedule departmental rotations in areas of interest or where suggested by the president.
  • Schedule rotations through other Avera facilities with the president of each facility.
  • Show evidence of acceptable approaches to problem solving in a systematic basis.
  • Demonstrate clear and concise communication, both verbally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make appropriate decisions as needed in a timely fashion.
  • Communicate regularly with the president, including project progression, achievements and potential problems.
  • Promote Avera and its services to fellow coworkers, and while in the general public, presents Avera in a positive light.

Eligibility Requirements

The Avera Health administrative fellowship is for individuals who have substantial knowledge of the basic disciplines and techniques of health care administration and who seek to further their ability to apply these principles.

We are seeking ambitious, hardworking, committed and enthusiastic candidates who have completed one of the following degrees within the last year from an accredited health administration program:

  • Master of Health Services Administration
  • Master of Health Care Administration
  • Master of Business Administration with health care emphasis
  • Master of Public Administration with health care emphasis
  • Master of Public Health

Previous experience in a health care setting is preferred.

Administrative Fellowship Application & Selection Process

Administrative fellowship applications will be available August 26 through September 30. Applicants will be required to submit the online application and email all application materials.

The Avera Health Administrative Fellowship is one of a kind in the depth of access to leadership and the learning that it affords. You will have a front row seat to the decision-making process for the health system from senior leaders and the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each of them on important projects and initiatives. You will come away with a depth of understanding of the mission of Avera and the commitment that is made to stay true to that mission in the positive impact we make in the communities we serve. Avera Health truly looks at the fellowship as an investment in future leaders with the hope of fellows taking leadership roles within the organization. I was able to develop relationships with leaders across the entire Avera footprint that have been invaluable in my growth as a leader at Avera.

- Ryan Vanden Bosch, Vice President of Patient Care, Administrative Fellow 2010-2011

The Avera Health Administrative Fellowship provided an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience in strategic healthcare leadership. I was immersed in high-impact projects and mentored by senior executives who were deeply invested in my growth, both personally and professionally. Avera's collaborative culture and mission-driven environment made every challenge meaningful and rewarding. This fellowship truly accelerated my professional development, deepened my understanding of healthcare systems, and prepared me for a successful career in healthcare administration.

- Eric Felderman, Director of Service Excellence, Administrative Fellow 2020-2021

The Avera Health Administrative Fellowship was a transformative and unique experience that helped jumpstart my professional career and personal growth. As the fellow you build relationships and learn from senior leaders who care about you and want to teach and mentor you. You observe how decisions are made that will create a positive impact on our patients, staff, and regional communities. You learn the "why" behind these decisions, using our Catholic values as a compass, and get to witness the effects as they move through service lines to the front-line staff. With the fellowships project-based structure, you get to dive into meaningful initiatives across various departments within the organization. I am truly so grateful to have had the experience as the Avera Administrative Fellow and could not recommend it more!

- Rylee Miller, Pediatric Clinic Manager, Administrative Fellow 2024-2025

Contact Us

Pam Hilber, PhD, Director of Workforce Planning
Avera Health
605-322-8955
pam.hilber@avera.org

Nikki' Tiff, Lead – Recruiter
Avera Health
605-322-8422
nikki.tiff@avera.org