Postgraduate Administrative Fellowship

Two business professionals.

The application for the Corewell Health 2025-2026 Administrative Fellowship program will open June 1, 2024 and will close September 3, 2024.

Interested in the Postgraduate Administrative Fellowship? Begin the application process by emailing us the appropriate documents.

Corewell Health provides statewide administrative fellows with a broad health care experience. As an integrated health system, the insurance and delivery of care entities collaborate to provide the best experience focused on health. The organization is focused on creating a culture of belonging for its 60,000+ team members, rooted in our values of compassion, collaboration, clarity, curiosity and courage.

Program structure

The structure of the Corewell Health fellowship allows individuals to study and work in every area of the health system while also participating in projects suited to their specific interests and career goals. The fellowship experience also allows for exposure and opportunity at the system level, the different regions and the health plan. Under the supervision of President & CEO Tina Freese Decker and Chief Operating Officer Darryl Elmouchi, fellows work with and participate as members of the system leadership team, enabling them to gain experience through interaction with executive leaders. This is accomplished by attending board meetings and executive and medical staff meetings, and participating in projects focused on strategic planning.

Fellowship focus

This one-year fellowship gives postgraduate students a valuable professional learning and working experience in health care operations, strategy and systems thinking.

Two professional women.

The goals of the program include:

  • Develop and hone problem-solving and decision-making skill sets
  • Lead or be involved in projects, including finance, human resources, hospital operations, health plan operations, medical group operations, strategic planning, marketing, information technology, facilities, quality and medical affairs
  • Enhance leadership and critical-thinking skills by working one-on-one with executive leaders
  • Participate in valuable networking experiences that promote future career opportunities
  • Obtain valuable career experience in diverse areas of management

Past fellow projects

  • Aided in the expansion of the Department of Behavioral Science and Lifestyle Management by garnering interest and gaining leadership and provider buy-in for culinary medicine programming
  • Led a systemwide telehealth strategy and development of a resource center for implementation
  • Worked with leadership to develop a five-year strategic plan for primary care
  • Assisted in the robotic surgery enterprise expansion plan and acquisition of five da Vinci robots
  • Developed recommendations for new Medicare Advantage supplemental benefit design
  • Led development of a system LGBTQIA+ health strategy
  • Created a patient and family-centered care foundation program, impacting over 25,000 team members
  • Led the creation of a system transfer center by consolidating eight campus programs into one central program
  • Led the development of a business plan and filed the Certificate of Need for a $10 million, 12-bed Pediatric Medical Psychiatry Unit
  • Led assessment and implementation of scrub color standardization
  • Served as member of corporate Emergency Operations Center during COVID-19 response, including the launch of a laboratory callback system for COVID-19 test results, site ventilator transfers, and safe reemergence plan to address time-sensitive surgeries

Preceptors

Tina Freese Decker, MHA, MSIE, FACHE

President & CEO, Corewell Health

Known for her vision and drive, Tina is passionate about tackling the health field’s greatest challenges. After earning a Bachelor of Science in finance from Iowa State University and a Master of Health Administration and Master of Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa, she began her career as an administrative fellow in 2002. In the ensuing two decades, she has served in a variety of executive roles, exemplifying collaborative, inclusive and visionary leadership.

Tina Freese Decker, MHA, MSIE, FACHE
Darryl Elmouchi, MD, MBA

Darryl Elmouchi, MD, MBA

Chief Operating Officer, Corewell Health

Darryl leads strategy, operations, clinical care delivery and financial performance for Corewell Health, championing the system’s transformation to value-based care and inspiring people to move through challenges. In addition, Darryl is a clinical professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He earned his medical degree from University of Michigan Medical School and holds a Master in Business Administration from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

Current fellows

Ayah Koujane

2024-2025

Ayah Koujane is a passionate professional dedicated to serving her community. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Wayne State University, she dove into the field as a women, infants, and children (WIC) nutrition specialist in Detroit, dedicating nearly four years to improving the wellness of families through diet and lifestyle choices. Ayah also took on the role of clinic lead for two years, in which she was responsible for leading a team of four, maintaining clinic operations, and completing WIC appointments.

Ayah Koujane

In April 2020, Ayah co-founded Unified Under Hope, a local non-profit organization with a mission to empower students in underserved communities through literacy programs and school supply drives. She volunteered as the chief operating officer for three years, overseeing strategic initiatives and ensuring the organization's mission was fulfilled. Inspired to positively impact healthcare delivery, Ayah continued her education and received a Master in Health Services Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy. Interested in patient safety and quality care, Ayah aspires to make tangible differences in healthcare services for all. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys reading in coffee shops, going on leisurely walks, and exploring through travel.

Previous fellows and their current professional positions
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Graduation YearNameCurrent positionsOrganization
2024Daniel OrhorhoroSenior Hospital Operations SpecialistCorewell Health
2024Sana MatloubAdvisor, Business Development – Strategic DevelopmentCorewell Health
2022Spencer GillisSr. Consultant – Provider Strategy & SolutionsPriority Health
2021Stephanie HughesCarolina Complete Health
2020Micalah WebsterHenry Ford Health
2020Brandon Fjerstadfindhelp
2020Justin GrayNorthwestern Medicine
2020Nate HillCascadia Healthcare
2020Tony MadisonMedStar Health
2020Ryan ZayanceAccenture
2020Michael HenryDirector of Operations – Radiology & Radiation OncologyCorewell Health
2020Nicholas BuhayDirector of FinanceCorewell Health
2020Ciara WilliamsAdvisor – Strategic PlanningCorewell Health
2020Dallas JohnsonUT Southwestern Medical Center
2020Fareeha MalikTenet Healthcare
2019Dave FifeCare Oregon
2019Claire FlemingXealth
2019Dan CookManager – CardiologyCorewell Health
2019Matthew OrseyManager – Quality & Medicine Service LinesCorewell Health
2019Bianca NguyenCleveland Clinic
2019Bryson KruthoffEnvision Healthcare
2019Corinne FooteCVS Health
2019Vijay PatelKaiser Permanente
2018Michelle RizorDirector – Operations Virtual HealthCorewell Health
2018Bryan WickershamNon-Healthcare
2018Kristia “Tia” LeDirector – Behavioral HealthCorewell Health
2018Blaine RogalskiDirector – SurgeryCorewell Health
2018Jesse EikenberryDirector – Business Development & OperationsCorewell Health
2018Mitchell CoteBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
2017Kate SwanicOptum
2017Dana SnyderDirector – Human Resources Business PartnerCorewell Health
2017Chelsea SzafranskiMunson Healthcare
2017Yaqoota AzizBlue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
2016Lauren SchmidtAlvarez & Marsal
2016Jessica BurgettHenry Ford Health
2016Kisha McPhersonHenry Ford Health
2016Heather DeCosterIntermountain Healthcare
2015Erika ArndtMichigan Medicine
2015Peter VogelsbergMemorial Hermann Health System
2014Allison HonstainMichigan Medicine
2014Elizabeth UrdahKoha Health
2015Leslie AndersonVizient
2013Rashelle LudolphVice President Service Line, Surgical ServicesCorewell Health
2013Suzy OgawaBlue Cross NC
2013Steven SchimpkeNon-Healthcare
2013Abrar FounasTrinity Health
2003Tina Freese DeckerPresident & CEOCorewell Health

* Data as of May 2024

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan

As Michigan’s largest health system, Corewell Health maintains dual headquarters in Grand Rapids and Southfield. While the fellowship will be based in Grand Rapids, it will provide fellows with opportunities to interact with teams and communities throughout the state.

About Southeast Michigan

From groundbreaking life sciences research and forward-thinking start-ups to pioneering in urban farming and biofuels, Southeast Michigan is home to paradigm-busting innovation. Sample Detroit’s art and culinary renaissance and bustling entertainment district, experience the vibrant college towns of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, or enjoy a quiet sunrise from Port Huron or Port Austin.

Southwest Michigan Fellows
West Michigan Fellows

About West Michigan

With a history of creativity, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, and an exceptionally high quality of life, it is no surprise businesses and talent are flocking to West Michigan. Enjoy Grand Rapids’ award-winning breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, museums and cultural attractions; the area’s many golf courses, parks, trails and inland lakes; and Lake Michigan’s famed sugar sand beaches.

Applying to the fellowship

Application process
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The application for the Corewell Health 2025-2026 Administrative Fellowship program will open June 1, 2024 and will close September 3, 2024. Candidates selected will have first round interviews early September and on-site second-round interviews in late September. Offers will be extended by early to mid-October.

The typical start date is between May and July.

To begin the application process, candidates must provide the following:

  • Cover letter and resume
  • Personal statement explaining why the candidate is seeking the Corewell Health fellowship
  • Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Three letters of recommendation

Address documents to the Corewell Health Administrative Fellowship Committee and send via mail or email to:

Corewell Health
221 Michigan Street NE, Suite 501
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.391.1607
CHAdministrativeFellowship@corewellhealth.org

Eligibility
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The fellowship is open to recent graduates from accredited programs in health care administration.

Compensation
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Fellows are paid an annual stipend at market rate. In addition, fellows receive the same benefits available to full-time employees, including health benefits and paid time off.

More information
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Informational Sessions

Please join us for an informational webinar to go over program details, the application process, hear from current and former fellows, and learn more about integrated health systems.

  • Jun 28th, Noon – 1pm
  • Jul 26th, Noon – 1pm
  • Aug 16th, 4 – 5pm

 

Apply now

Interested in the Postgraduate Administrative Fellowship? Begin the application process.