Frequently Asked Questions

The Deland Fellowship program is comparatively less structured than some other programs. What are the benefits of this structure, and what opportunities are there to gain specific experience in certain areas?

The project-based structure of the program allows Fellows to tailor the experience based on their particular areas of interest and professional/educational background. Given the wide access the Fellowship provides to leaders across the hospital, Fellows can allocate their time in ways that either reinforce their professional interests or allow them to explore less familiar areas. This structure is likely best for those who have had either some experience in healthcare or have a clear idea of where their interests lie since there is less of a need for standardized rotations through/orientation to many different areas within the hospital.

What kinds of projects do fellows work on?

Project types are varied and depend on the Fellow’s interests, the strategic priorities of the hospital, and what initiatives are upcoming or underway. Projects provide exposure to many departments within the hospital, giving the Fellow a very comprehensive view of the overall enterprise and may take several forms, including:

• Process improvement
• Operations management
• Patient affordability
• Quality improvement
• Strategic planning
• Financial planning
• Revenue cycle management
• Program development
• Network development
• Community programs

What sort of compensation do fellows receive?

Fellows are paid a salary that is competitive with national and regional administrative fellowship programs, and that is commensurate with experience.  As a full-time employee of BWH, the fellowship is benefits eligible, and BWH is proud to offer a very competitive benefits package that includes opportunities for professional development, discounts on public transportation, cultural and sporting events.

What are typical first jobs post-fellowship?

It is common for fellows to go onto various types of hospital administration roles after the fellowship experience. Consult our list of past post-fellowship positions for more information.

I have an educational degree or work experience as an MD, RN, PT, or other clinical discipline. Would my background be a good fit for the fellowship program?

Yes:  The Fellowship is tailored to provide clinical understanding for non-clinicians and an understanding of management disciplines for clinicians. Building successful collaborative relationships between clinicians and administrators is a key focus of the fellowship experience.

Fellows spend time in the first few months of their fellowship year observing clinicians at work.  This gives Fellows a better understanding of clinicians’ work, the challenges and dynamics of the clinical environment, how the entire hospital system functions.  Individuals who enter the Fellowship with some prior clinical experience can choose to focus their time observing in less familiar clinical settings or other administrative areas. 

I am a foreign applicant. Am I eligible to apply to the Deland Fellowship program? And does Brigham and Women’s provide visas?

Foreign applicants who meet the educational eligibility requirements are welcome to apply to the Deland Fellowship. We do not provide work visas for administrative fellows.

How much work experience is required or preferred in order to apply for the fellowship? Is there a specific type of work experience that is more helpful?

While there is no set amount of work experience required to apply for the fellowship, having some work experience is beneficial. The Deland Fellowship is well suited to mid-career applicants who may have had experiences in other fields. Former Deland fellows have come from a variety of positions and disciplines within the health care field.