WVU Medicine Administrative Fellowship
WVU Medicine offers two administrative fellowships (flagship academic medical center track and community health academic leadership track) designed for individuals preparing for a career in healthcare management and leadership.
This two-year comprehensive, multidisciplinary program is tailored to the fellow’s specific interests and consists of core rotations across various areas of the organization, assigned projects, and line management experience.
Fellows will learn about the structure, philosophy, values, and mission of WVU Medicine, as well as develop and refine their leadership skills and competencies in the daily operations of a major academic medical center.
In addition, our fellows spend valuable time with key leaders and senior executives in order to gain perspective on daily challenges, decisions, and strategic initiatives. This provides an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the institution and its leaders, and identify areas for project work or rotations.
FELLOWSHIP TRACKS
Flagship Academic Medical Center Track – Morgantown, WV
WVU Medicine’s Administrative Fellowship, based at its flagship hospital, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, is designed for individuals preparing for a career in healthcare management and leadership. This two-year comprehensive, multidisciplinary program, tailored to the fellow’s specific interests, consists of core rotations across various areas of the organization, assigned projects, and line management experience.
In addition to learning opportunities at Ruby Memorial Hospital, fellows can grow their skills at these WVU Medicine facilities: WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital, Fairmont Medical Center, Healthy Minds/Chestnut Ridge Center, and the ambulatory clinics.
Ruby Memorial, the largest hospital in the WVU Medicine family, provides the most advanced level of care available to the citizens of West Virginia and bordering states.
WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s is West Virginia’s largest group of primary and specialty care providers dedicated to the care of children, adolescents, and expectant mothers. It is also home to state-of-the-art centers of excellence, including a birthing center, blood disorders and cancer center, and heart center.
Fairmont Medical Center provides high-quality emergency and inpatient care for the residents of Marion County and surrounding area. Additionally, the facility houses a 30-bed skilled nursing facility for patients who require short-term care.
Healthy Minds/Chestnut Ridge Center offers a full-time continuum of both outpatient and inpatient services to treat a broad range of mental, emotional, developmental, and addiction issues in children, adolescents, and adults.
Ambulatory clinics offer primary and specialty care needs.
Community Health Academic Leadership Track – Martinsburg, WV
WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center and WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center are proud to offer an administrative fellowship, similar to the flagship academic medical center track offered at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Based at Berkeley Medical Center, the program is designed for individuals preparing for a career in healthcare management and leadership. This two-year comprehensive, multidisciplinary program consists of core rotations across various areas of the organization, followed with line management experience.
Berkeley Medical Center offers comprehensive services, including intensive care, neonatal and pediatric care, behavioral health, cancer treatment, and advanced radiology. Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the hospital has the busiest emergency department in the state.
Jefferson Medical Center, located in Ranson, West Virginia, is a 25-bed critical access hospital that provides emergency care, surgery, imaging, obstetrics, behavioral health, and social services.
Objectives
Our administrative fellowship candidates can expect to increase their knowledge base, refine their management style, and develop their own philosophy toward healthcare throughout the program.
The fellowship objectives include:
- Supporting fellows in developing a comprehensive understanding of hospital operations
- Preparing fellows to assume a contributing role on a healthcare leadership team
- Providing fellows with an opportunity to enhance important managerial competencies, such as customer service, financial stewardship, operations management, change management, and performance management
- A primary focus on the fellow’s assimilation of knowledge, development of attitude and philosophy toward the field, and further refinement of a management style
- An intention of broadening the range of post-fellowship employment opportunities by providing exposure to various corporate activities of WVU Medicine
- The commitment of the entire WVU Medicine team to integrate and retain high-quality fellows within the organization post-fellowship
Compensation
We offer a competitive salary, and fellows are eligible for a full comprehensive benefit package. In addition, fellows may select one national conference to attend each year of the program.
Eligibility
A selection committee of leaders from WVU Medicine will review all applications.
- The fellowship is open to students who have successfully completed one of the following accredited master’s degree programs: MHA, MHSA, MBA, MPH, or other closely related programs with an emphasis in healthcare.
- Applicants who have finished their course work but are required to complete a fellowship to graduate are also eligible for the administrative fellowship.
- Prospective fellows should have relevant work experience or previous employment in a healthcare setting. Graduates from Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)-accredited programs will receive preference in the selection process.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit their application and required materials.
NOTE: Late or incomplete applications are ineligible.
*Applications for both tracks will be accepted. Please specify in your narrative statement your first and second location preference.
Required materials
- Current resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Please submit two letters of recommendation from employers and one from a faculty member of your graduate program. If you are unable to provide two letters of recommendation from employers, please submit a second letter of recommendation from a graduate school professor.
- Official (preferred) or unofficial transcript of completed graduate school courses
- Narrative statement (less than 500 words) expressing:
- How your interest in healthcare management developed
- Goals you would like to accomplish during the administrative fellowship
- Your long-term career objectives
How to Apply
Flagship Academic Medical Center Track – Morgantown, WV
- Applicants must submit their application and required materials via a single PDF file to [email protected].
Community Health Academic Leadership Track – Martinsburg, WV
- Applicants must submit their application and required materials via this form.
2025 – 2026 Application Timeline
- Application opens – June 2, 2025
- Application closes – September 8, 2025
- First-round interviews – September 11–12, 2025
- On-site interviews – September 17–18, 2025
- Fellowship begins – July 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE FELLOWSHIP FAQS
Who oversees the WVU Medicine administrative fellowship in Morgantown?
West Virginia University Health System President and CEO Albert L. Wright, Jr., oversees the program.
Fellows report directly to Nathan Burt, the program preceptor. Nathan will offer exceptional professional guidance, as well as mentoring and support across the two-year fellowship.
Michael Grace, senior vice president and chief operations officer, WVU Health System, and president and CEO, WVU Hospitals, meets monthly with fellows to ensure an optimal fellowship experience.
Fellowship Committee
- Nathan Burt (Preceptor), Vice President of Operations, WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital
- Albert L. Wright, Jr., President and CEO, WVU Health System
- Michael Grace, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, WVU Health System, and President and CEO, WVU Hospitals
- Justin Gibson, Vice President of Finance, Northern Region, WVU Medicine
- Doug Harrison, Regional President and President and CEO, Wheeling Hospital
- Colleen Sybert, Vice President of Human Resources, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital
- Mary Fanning, Chief Nursing Officer, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital
- Darin Rogers, Vice President of Provider and Network Services, WVU Medicine
- Ilo Romero, Vice President of Information Technology, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, and Assistant Chief Information Officer, WVU Medicine
Who oversees the WVU Medicine administrative fellowship in Martinsburg?
West Virginia University Health System President and CEO Albert L. Wright, Jr., oversees the program.
Fellows in the community health academic leadership track report directly to Mark O’Hern, the program executive preceptor. Mark will offer great support during the two-year fellowship, as well as mentorship to ensure an optimal experience.
Fellowship Committee
- Mark O’Hern (Preceptor): Regional President and President and CEO, WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center
- Samantha Richards: Chief Nursing and Operations Officer, Berkeley Medical Center
- Nicole Dollison: President and CEO, WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center
- Barbara Sherman: Director of Quality and Nursing, Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center
- Nate Ladow: Manager of Enterprise IT, Berkeley Medical Center
- Betsy Gambino: Interim AVP of Ambulatory Operations, Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center
- Justin Ruble: Vice President of Human Resources, WVU Health System
- Zach Kerns: Vice President of Finance, Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center
- Garland Nagy: Vice President and General Counsel, WVU Health System
Can I apply for both tracks?
Yes, the applicant will be notified appropriately.
Is this a medical fellowship?
This fellowship is an administrative appointment with no medical training included.
Do I need to be a current student to apply for the program?
If I am currently enrolled in a graduate program, am I eligible?
Are international applicants eligible for the administrative fellowship?
Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas at this time. Applicants to the fellowship program must be either a United States citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
When can I apply?
The application period opens June 2, 2025, and closes September 8, 2025.
NOTE: Late or incomplete applications are ineligible.
How do I confirm that my application and documents were submitted properly?
You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 48 hours of submission.
Does WVU Medicine require recommendation letters from specific individuals?
Yes. Please submit two letters of recommendation from employers and one from a faculty member of your graduate program. If you are unable to provide two letters of recommendation from employers, please submit a second letter of recommendation from a graduate school professor.
Do I need to submit a copy of my official transcript?
Official transcripts are preferred, but an unofficial transcript of completed graduate school courses is acceptable.
What type of benefits will I receive?
We offer a competitive salary, and fellows and their dependents are eligible for full a comprehensive benefit package. In addition, fellows may select one national conference to attend each year of the program.
At the end of the program, can fellows expect immediate advancement to full-time employment with WVU Medicine?
What types of jobs opportunities can fellows expect once they complete the fellowship?
It depends on several factors, including the qualifications and experiences the fellow had prior to the program, available positions, and the career path the fellow wants to pursue. Some examples of post-fellowship positions include associate administrator or director of operations.
Are employment opportunities available for recent graduates with an MHA, MBA, or MPH?
For information about other employment opportunities, please visit www.wvumedicine.org/careers/.