Administrative Fellowship FAQs

Eligibility

• Who is eligible for the UC San Diego Health Administrative Fellowship?
  Candidates who will graduate with an accredited MHA, MHSA, MBA, MPH, MSN, MS or equivalent between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
• Can the Administrative Fellowship be applied toward the residency placement required to complete my graduate degree?
  No. The UC San Diego Health Administrative Fellowship is a postgraduate position, and it is expected that the fellow will complete their graduate degree prior to the start date of the fellowship.
• What level of experience is required to apply for the fellowship?
  Applicants are welcome to apply regardless of their level of experience. However, we strongly encourage applicants have experience within a healthcare profession, including an internship, volunteer experience, externship, or full-time employment.

Application Process

• How many fellows are selected for the fellowship each year?
  UC San Diego Health holds anywhere from 1-3 fellowship positions each year. The number of fellows selected each year is based on merit and organizational capacity.
• How will candidates advance through the interview process?
  Candidates who pass our initial screening will be invited to participate in phone interviews in late September. Those who excel at this phone interview will have the chance to participate in the final round of interviews at UC San Diego Health.
• What if your Letter of Recommendation writer is uncomfortable/ not allowed to send you the LOR for the application materials?
  Although the preferred method is to attach the LORs to your complete application, please have your Letter of Recommendation writer send the letter to adminfellow@ucsd.edu with the subject line CandidateFirst_LastName_LOR
• How will the on-site interview be structured?
  The on-site interview will span two days. Candidates will have the opportunity to tour the medical campuses in Hillcrest and La Jolla, and will meet the current and past fellows. Members of the executive team will interview candidates for selection. Please keep in mind that due to COVID-19, on-site interviews may be canceled. If on-site interviews are canceled, the final round of interviews will be conducted virtually. 
• When will candidates be notified?
  The final candidates will be notified by the middle of October.

Program Structure

• How flexible is the fellowship start date?
  The tentative start date for the fellowship is early July. UC San Diego  Health will work with the fellow to determine a specific start date to fit the needs of the organization and individual.
• How will rotations be structured?
  The initial phase of the appointment allows the fellow to rotate with each member of the executive team and to gain a broad perspective of the health system (approximately 4 months). Fellows will have the opportunity to delve deeper into specific areas based on their interests and organizational needs through follow-up meetings or projects.
• How will projects be assigned to the fellow?
  The preceptor and fellow will work together to select projects based on the priorities of the health system and the interests/professional development of the Fellow.
• Where will the fellow be based?
  The fellow will be based at the executive administration offices but will have the opportunity to travel to other campuses or affiliated facilities based on projects, rotations, and standing executive-level meetings.
• What opportunities will the fellow have to attend executive-level meetings?
  The fellow will have a standing responsibility throughout their fellowship to attend the executive-level meetings for UC San Diego Health and UC San Diego School of Medicine. Such meetings may include the executive team, councils, governing body, and steering committee meetings.
• Is this a full-time, benefits-eligible, paid position?
  Yes. The UC San Diego Health  Administrative Fellowship is a full-time, salaried position. UC San Diego Health offers a competitive salary and full benefits including, but not limited to, accrual of vacation/sick time, pension, as well as medical, dental and vision insurance. The fellow is also eligible for reimbursement for one national healthcare conference to further his or her professional development. Fellows are considered 100% full-time career employees.

Other

• Who is the current Administrative Fellow? Are they available for contact with further questions about the Fellowship?
  The current Administrative Fellows are Hayes Herd and Ruta Viela. UC San Diego Health welcomes applicants to contact them with questions or feedback. They can be reached at adminfellow@ucsd.edu, or directly at:
  • Hayes Herd, hherd@health.ucsd.edu
  • Ruta Viela, rviela@health.ucsd.edu