About the Program

Description

The administrative intern position in the Department of Surgery is a comprehensive, two-year internship complementing MHA coursework with hands-on involvement in a dynamic healthcare setting. This experience exposes students to a variety of healthcare facets in an academic medical center across administrative and clinical strategic initiatives within the Department of Surgery.

During the internship experience, students will hone professional competencies through active engagement in effective leadership, communication, and project management scopes. Interns will contribute to departmental operations primarily through project-based learning and engagement in various committees and initiatives. Over the  course of the internship, students will have extensive exposure to the Department and health system leaders, becoming an integral part of the administrative team. The primary goal of the internship is to equip interns with invaluable skills and experiences needed to prepare for Residency and a career as a leader in healthcare.

How To Apply

Contact Us

Program Mentor

Preceptor Katie Golob

Katie Golob is administrator for VCU Health Department of Surgery. Katie received her bachelor's in business management from Virginia Tech in 2011 and masters in health administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014. She completed a two year administrative fellowship at the University of Virginia Health System where she worked on many system-wide strategic and operational initiatives. Subsequent to this she managed several outpatient clinics and labs for neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and orthopedics at UVAHS.

In 2017, Katie transitioned to the role of associate administrator in the Department of Surgery at VCU Health where she was responsible for the operational, strategic, and fiscal oversight for the Division of Acute Care Surgical Services. She is currently the senior administrator for the department and responsible for departmental operations.

"Being a preceptor for the department's Administrative Internship Program allows me the opportunity to share my experience and develop interns by providing meaningful projects in a fast paced learning environment. As a graduate of VCU's MHA program I understand the value and importance of students having the opportunity to apply their didactic learning in the hospital setting."

Project Work

Surgery Administration Interns will own and participate in a variety of projects across surgical divisions and stakeholders. The projects that interns are involved in are relevant and aligned with the goals and vision of both Department and Health System.

Examples of projects include:

• Managing of several departmental dashboards
• Analyzing high-opportunity clinical cost variation
• Supporting Revenue Cycle and Quality, Access, and Safety task forces
• Improving ambulatory clinic operations and efficiencies
• Streamlining processes to increase access for patients

Unique opportunities:

• AASA Conference Poster Presentation
• Exposure across health system and VCU alumni/mentors
• Participation in health system-wide meetings/events
• Access to clinical opportunities on the frontlines of care

Current and Past Interns

Nick Logan (2023-Present) Nick Logan is a first-year student in the MHA class of 2026. He is from Roanoke, Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences with a minor in Business and Organizational Leadership. Nick is interested in operations, specifically process improvements and optimization methods using data and analytics. His favorite hobbies include playing basketball, spending time with friends, and hiking.

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Derek Welch (2022-Present) Derek Welch is a first-year student in the MHA class of 2025. He is from Kent, Washington and graduated from BYU-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance. Derek is interested in operations, process improvement initiatives, financial analysis and patient experience. Outside of healthcare, Derek enjoys playing pickleball competitively, skiing, and spending time with family.

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Karis Cha (2021-2023) is a rising second-year student in the MHA Class of 2024. She is from Leesburg, VA and graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and International Affairs. Karis is interested in hospital operations, specifically optimizing workflows and team care for improved patient care. Outside of the internship and school, Karis enjoys spending time with family and friends and being in nature.

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Erin Fenton (2021–2022) is a third-year student in the MHA Class of 2023. She is from Yorktown, VA and received her bachelor’s degree in Health Service Administration with a minor in business from James Madison University. Erin’s healthcare interests include operations, patient and employee experience, and process improvement initiatives. Outside of healthcare, Erin enjoys running, sports, and spending time with her family and dogs at their lake house.

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Davis Roche (2019–2021) is a graduate of the MHA Class of 2022. He is from Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Valdosta State University with a BBA in Healthcare Administration and a minor in Business Law. Davis is interested in hospital operations and is currently working as a Perioperative Business Manager at Orlando Health in Florida. His favorite hobbies include playing golf, fitness, and going to the beach.

“The Department of Surgery internship has provided me with invaluable learning opportunities through a multitude of projects in data analysis, business planning, departmental operations, and much more. I could not have had a better experience or worked with a better team to prepare me for my future career.”

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Robin Kelsey (2019-2020) is a graduate of the VCU MHA Class of 2021. She is from Asheville, North Carolina, and obtained her undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management from Appalachian State University. She completed her Administrative Residency at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia.

Her healthcare interests encompass many facets of hospital operations including a focus on quality, safety, and process improvement. When not at school or in the office, Robin enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her classmates.

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Kate Best (2017–2019) joined the intern program in 2017 and is a graduate of the VCU MHA Class of 2020. She is from Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated from University of Virginia with a BA in Art History and a minor in International Relations. During her internship, Kate played a significant role in a variety of initiatives including the creation of financial and quality dashboards, the first annual Retreat, and the development of the Department’s Strategic Plan.

As a member of the Department of Surgery Kate supported a myriad of department-wide initiatives and programs in the areas of process improvement, strategy and operations, and quality and financial ventures. She completed her administrative residency with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer at VCU Health for the 2019-2020 year and remains with the Health System as a Business and Finance Manager in the Transplant and Dialysis Service Lines.

How To Apply

We will open the position and solicit applications in the spring for one intern from the Class of 2027 to join our program in August 2024.