About the Fellowship
The Administrative Fellowship at Children's Hospital Los Angeles provides a broad range of health care administration experiences over the course of the 12-month program. The fellow participates in and leads prioritized and challenging enterprise initiatives, an approach intended to help develop marketable project management, analytical, leadership and interpersonal skills. Understanding the importance of professional mentorship, the fellow meets regularly with executive and enterprise-wide leadership. Ultimately, through visible, tangible project work and network development, this fellowship aims to identify promising candidates for future leadership positions within CHLA.
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Rotation
The Fellowship Program is provided by the Office of the President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Fellows report directly to the Program Co-directors:
- Lara Khouri, MBA, MPH
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer - Rolando Gomez, MBA
Director, Community Relations & Strategic Initiatives
Department rotations may include:
- Accounting
- Ambulatory Operations
- Clinical Operations
- Clinical Service Lines
- Community Affairs
- Compliance
- Decision Support Services
- Education Administration
- Facilities Management
- Finance
- Foundation & Philanthropy
- Government Relations
- Health System Development
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Innovation Studio
- Marketing & Communications
- Quality & Patient Safety
- Research Administration
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Strategic Services
- Supply Chain Management
Leadership and Mentoring
Understanding the importance of professional mentorship, the Fellow meets regularly with executive and enterprise-wide leadership. Additionally, the Fellow has the opportunity to shadow key leaders of the organization and attend high level executive leadership meetings. The Fellow experiences different managerial and leadership styles to develop an understanding of their own personal style.
Pay Scale Information and Benefits
USD $53,040.00 – USD $87,360.00
The Fellowship is a full-time, salaried position. The compensation and benefits package is market-competitive. Vacation and sick leave accrue as a normal full-time employee.
CHLA values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. CHLA looks forward to introducing you to our world-class organization where we create hope and build healthier futures.
Minimum Qualifications
- For the program starting in July 2025, applicants must receive or be expected to receive a MHA, MPH, MBA or similar master's degree in a related field of study from an accredited graduate program between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2025.
- Prior health care experience is preferred but not required.
Skills Required
- Ability to communicate professionally, effectively and tactfully in verbal and written communications
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
- Must have strong follow-through, initiative, and the ability to work independently
Meet Our Fellows
2024 — 2025 Fellowship
Elisha Alston, MHA
Eli Alston (he/him) graduated from the University of Washington in 2023 with a Master of Health Administration (MHA). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Health Studies and a minor in French from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2020. During his time at the University of Washington, Eli worked at Fred Hutch Cancer Center where he served as a project lead on their organizational contribution to the Seattle King County Clinic. A four day volunteer-driven clinic offering free medical, dental, and vision care to uninsured King County residents.
In between his graduate studies, Eli interned at Premera Blue Cross, where he took on the Oncology Care Experience Project, developing member journey maps and identifying mitigation strategies to improve member experience with oncology services. His capstone project at Seattle Children’s Hospital involved evaluating programs for medically complex youth requiring guardianship in Washington state.
After graduation, Eli joined LA Care Health Plan as a Quality Improvement Specialist, collaborating with the provider network and clinical triage team to address member concerns, investigate claims and improve responses to quality-of-care incidents. Outside of work Eli enjoys music, going to restaurants and theatre.
Kasia Mitchell, MHA
Kasia earned her Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the George Washington University and her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Leadership from the University of Memphis. Before joining Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Kasia served as a program coordinator for the HPV Cancer Prevention Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital where she contributed to projects focused on enhancing HPV vaccination rates and mitigating HPV cancers. During her time at St. Jude, she helped plan the 2024 in-person meeting of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast, served as a lead for the 2024 International HPV Awareness Day seminar series, and interim lead for the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable. Her MHA capstone project examined barriers to initiating HPV vaccination at age 9 in private practices and Federally Qualified Health Centers, and she remains committed to HPV cancer prevention efforts and the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.
Her prior experience includes an administrative internship at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, CA where she conducted a needs assessment for the Patient Contact Center and played a pivotal role in leading a community project. She also garnered extensive technical and operational experience as an operations and accounting administrative assistant at the Vascular and Vein Institute, and as a pre/post-op unit coordinator at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN.
Fellowship Alumni
2023 — 2024 Fellowship
Safa Iqbal, MHA
Chase Myers, MPH
2022 — 2023 Fellowship
Irene Garza Lazo, MHA
Aubrey Smith, MHA
2021 — 2022 Fellowship
Janai German, MPH
Naiha Manika, MPH
2020 – 2021 Fellowship
Jennifer Bae, MPH
Danielle Soto, MHA, MA
2019 – 2020 Fellowship
Yael Kessler, RN CPN CCRN MPH
Lisa Rosati, MBA
2018 – 2019 Fellowship
2017 – 2018 Fellowship
Victoria Ng, MHA
Emma White, MPH
2016 – 2017 Fellowship
Clayton Marshall, MHA
Nahal Sabrkhani, MPH
2015 Fellowship
CHLA Administrative Fellowship FAQs
Why is CHLA recruiting now for a start date in July. Isn’t it early?
CHLA is a member of the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF), an organization that is working to improve early-career development opportunities for next-generation health care leaders. As an NCAF member, CHLA is participating in NCAF’s centralized fellowship application process. Members agree to adhere to a standard application as well as timelines for interviews and employment offers.
For the fellowship year starting in July 2024, the application period is open June 7, 2024, to September 27, 2024. For more information, please visit the NCAF website and review the 2024 NCAF Code of Good Practice.
How do I know if my application is “complete?” Does my application need to be “verified” to be considered?
You can check your application status in National Administrative Fellowship Centralized Application Service (NAFCAS). The table below, provided by NCAF, defines each application status. CHLA requires an application to be “complete” for consideration; “verified” status is not required for review, but will be required prior to hire.
| Application Status | Definition |
| In Progress | Program(s) selected, but application not paid for or submitted. |
| Received | Applicant has completed and submitted all required materials and payment has been received. However, graduate transcript(s) and/or letters of recommendation are not yet in NAFCAS. |
| Complete | Applicant has completed and submitted all required materials, payment has been received, graduate transcript(s) received and scanned by NAFCAS, and letters of recommendation uploaded by recommenders. This status is required by the deadline. |
| Verified | Applicant has completed and submitted all required materials, payment has been received, graduate transcript(s) received and scanned by NAFCAS, and letters of recommendation uploaded by recommenders. GPA verified. Applicant will only move into this status once the application is completed and GPA has been verified. |
How is the Administrative Fellowship different from an internship or residency?
Interns and residents are typically graduate students who undertake an internship or residency as part of the practical experience towards earning a degree, and are sponsored by a department or division to learn and provide support within that area for variable lengths of time. Fellows have received their graduate degrees, are full-time employees of CHLA for a full fiscal year and rotate in departments throughout the institution.
Is there an application fee? If so, can it be waived?
CHLA participates in the NCAF/NAFCAS centralized application process, which charges a fee to apply. For more information on fees, contact NCAF/NAFCAS directly.
Is prior health care experience required?
Prior health care experience is preferred but is not required.
Are internal candidates allowed to apply for the fellowship?
Yes! CHLA encourages internal candidates and current interns/residents to apply for the fellowship.
How many fellows are selected each year?
The Administrative Fellowship currently accommodates up to two fellows per fiscal year.
Do you need work experience to be considered?
No, prior work experience is not required. Although some fellows have had more substantial work experience, this program is designed for early careerists seeking to advance their understanding of hospital administration. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
Administrative Fellowship Webinar
Interested in CHLA’s 2025-2026 Administrative Fellowship? Learn more about CHLA and the Fellowship Program from our current Fellows at one of the following webinars:
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. PDT
Click here to join via Microsoft Teams
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. PDT
Click here to join via Microsoft Teams
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. PDT
Click here to join via Microsoft Teams
Please feel free to reach out for further information or questions at adminfellowship@chla.usc.edu.
FY26 Fellowship Recruitment – Application
How to Apply
CHLA is a member of the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF), an organization that works to improve early-career development opportunities for next-generation health care leaders. As an NCAF member, CHLA is participating in NCAF’s centralized fellowship application process. Members agree to adhere to a standard application as well as timelines for interviews and employment offers.
For the fellowship year starting in July 2025, the application period is open June 7, 2024 to September 27, 2024. For more information, please visit the NCAF website and review the 2024 NCAF Code of Good Practice.
Qualified applicants should submit:
- Personal statement (maximum of one page single-spaced) addressing:
- What led to your decision to build a career in healthcare administration?
- What do you find compelling about a fellowship program and more specifically, why one offered by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles?
- Cover letter (maximum of one page single-spaced) addressing:
- What do you believe prepares you (e.g., qualifications and/or key experiences) for the fellowship position at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles?
- How do you believe the fellowship program will prepare you for your future career?
- Resume
- Official graduate school transcript (transcripts should be sent directly from your registrar's office to NAFCAS)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- One (1) academic
- One (1) professional
- One (1) other (academic, professional or letter from your program director)
We recommend submitting the above materials as a PDF to avoid formatting issues.
Application materials must be submitted through NAFCAS. Incomplete applications will not be considered.