Skip Navigation

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Dana-Farber patients & families Learn more

Administrative Fellowship Program

  • Administrative Fellowship Program
  • The Administrative Fellowship is a two-year program designed to provide high potential individuals with the opportunity to further develop their leadership style and analytical skills while gaining expertise in areas across the Institute.

    The Dana-Farber Administrative Fellowship provides:

    • Knowledge of organizational dynamics gained from working with senior leadership across the Institute
    • An opportunity to obtain an applied foundation in financial management; clinical operations management; research administration; human resources administration; facilities operations; inclusion, diversity, and equity; and strategic planning
    • Advanced experience directed towards preparing fellows for administrative leadership positions in research/academic medical institutes
    • A strong network of health care professionals at various levels across the Institute
  • Contact Us

    For more information about Dana-Farber's Administrative Fellowship program, contact:

    Raavi Singh, MHA, MPH, CPH
    Administrative Fellow
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
    450 Brookline Avenue
    Boston, MA 02215
    Email: administrative_fellow@dfci.harvard.edu


  • Learn More About the Fellowship

    Join us for one of two Informational Webinars detailing the Fellowship. Learn about the history of the Institute and the structure of the Fellowship; and connect with the current and past Administrative Fellows. The two webinars are on August 25 from 12-1 p.m. EDT, and September 13 from 5-6 p.m. EDT.

    Register for the August 25 webinar
    Register for the September 13 webinar

  • Fellowship Sponsor, Mentor, and Advisors

    The Dana-Farber Administrative Fellowship experience is distinguished in how the Fellow is empowered to build rapport and relationships with senior leaders across the Institute. These relationships involve formal and informal levels of sponsoring, mentorship, and advisorship with the core objective of providing the Fellow with support, feedback, and career planning.

    Executive Sponsor: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

    Executive Preceptor: Chief Integration Officer and Senior Vice President of Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness

    Fellowship Advisors: The Executive Fellowship Committee and the Fellowship Alumnae Advisory Committee

    The Executive Fellowship Committee is composed of leaders who regularly interface with the Fellow. This Committee will maintain oversight on the progression of the Fellow’s experience and will provide the Fellow with support, feedback, and career development advice.

    The Fellowship Alumnae Advisory Committee brings together past and current fellows in order to fortify the experience of the Administrative Fellow by providing them with support, mentorship, and resources.

  • Structure of the Fellowship

    It is expected and encouraged that the Administrative Fellow will have the opportunity to make significant contributions in diverse areas across Dana-Farber. To achieve this, the Fellowship experience has three main components: executive leadership exposure through shadowing and immersion; structured department rotations and robust project work; and concrete management and leadership development.

    Throughout the entire Fellowship, the Administrative Fellow will report and have access to senior executive leadership, who provide valuable mentoring, strategic guidance on project involvement, and performance feedback. The Fellow also receives work assignments and provides support to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on Institute-wide activities and major strategic initiatives.

    Year 1: Immersion, Structured Rotations, and Project Work

    The Fellowship will begin with a two-month immersion experience with senior leaders of Dana-Farber’s Finance, Clinical Operations, Quality Improvement, Strategic Planning, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, Clinical Network Development, Research Administration, Communications, Human Resources, and Information Systems departments.

    Over the next ten months, the Fellow then participates in structured rotations in the departments of Finance, Patient Care Services, Clinical Operations and Research Operations. During this time, the Fellow will also lead and participate in high visibility projects that dually align with the Fellow’s interests and the needs of the Institute.

    Year 2: Concrete Management and Leadership Development

    The second year will allow the Fellow to build upon and apply the knowledge and experience gained through the first year. The Fellow will have the opportunity to continue engaging in diverse project work, delve deeper into a department or area of interest, and actively lead the onboarding of the incoming administrative fellow. This last segment of the Fellowship will further promote the Fellow’s concrete management and leadership development in order to strategically position them for the next step in their career.

  • Application Process

    Our Administrative Fellowship Program seeks a diverse pool of masters-prepared candidates in health care administration, business administration, public health, or related fields of study. Highly motivated individuals with 1-2 years of experience within the health care industry are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates are collaborative, excellent communicators, self-starters, and possess broad knowledge of the health care industry.

    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a member of the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF), a collaboration of leading administrative fellowship sites and graduate health management programs, created to improve the application process and overall fellowship experience. As a proud NCAF member, Dana-Farber complies with the NCAF Code of Good Practice and application dates:

    • Dana-Farber Application Review Period Commencement: June, 2022
    • NCAF Universal Fellowship Application Deadline: October 7, 2022, 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time
    • Semi-Finalist Interview: October 13 or 14, 2022
    • Finalist Interview: October 20 and 21, 2022
    • Fellow Selection and Notification Period: October 21-November 9, 2022
    • NCAF Official Acceptance Day: November 10, 2022, 1:00 PM Eastern Time
    • Fellowship Dates: July 1, 2023-June 30, 2025

    How to apply:

    Dana-Farber will be participating in the National Administrative Fellowship Centralized Application Service (NAFCAS) for our 2023-2025 Fellowship selection cycle. NAFCAS streamlines the application process and reduces duplicative efforts for applicants by providing a standardized online interface to easily apply to preferred fellowship sites. Applicants should apply through the NAFCAS online portal at http://nafcas.liaisoncas.com. All application requirements should be submitted by October 7, 2022. Please contact administrative_fellow@dfci.harvard.edu with any questions.

  • Frequently asked questions

    What are the benefits of a two-year administrative fellowship?

    Health care and academic medical centers are complex organizations, requiring significant and extensive exposure to gain a meaningful experience. A two-year program offers the opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience acquired throughout the Fellowship, while gaining significant work experience. Furthermore, it allows the Fellow enough time to identify and build upon an area of interest that will strategically position the Fellow for their next career step.

    Do you consider internships or fellowships as relevant experience?

    Yes, we consider experience to be gained through employment, internships, or fellowships.

    Can I apply if I will be graduating in August?

    Yes, you can apply. The fellowship start date is flexible.

    Can I apply if I am an international student?

    Yes, if you have an advanced degree from a U.S. accredited institution. Dana-Farber does not sponsor work visas for Administrative Fellows.

    If I am selected to come to Boston for an interview, will Dana-Farber reimburse my travel expenses?

    Yes. Dana-Farber will reimburse reasonable travel expenses for finalists, including airfare, one night's hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation to and from the airport and hotel.

    If I am selected for and accept the fellowship, do I have to leave my current job?

    Yes, you would have to leave your current job and become the Dana-Farber Administrative Fellow for the two year program.

    Does the completion of the fellowship guarantee me a job at Dana-Farber?

    No, completion of the Fellowship Program does not guarantee you a job at Dana-Farber. However, your performance during the fellowship may provide you with many great job opportunities at the Institute and elsewhere.

    Where can I learn more about Dana-Farber and the health care industry?

    There are many books describing the history of health care and how it has evolved. A few that are recommended based on their unique perspective of areas within the health care field relevant to Dana-Farber include:


    The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
    Siddhartha Mukherjee
    This comprehensive narrative reaches back into the depths of history to tell the biography of cancer and man's attempts at treatment and discovering a cure. The Emperor of All Maladies also highlights Dana-Farber's inception and development as an institution on the frontlines of the war on cancer.


    The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
    Rebecca Skloot
    In a twist to the usual dialogue surrounding stem cell research, Rebecca Skloot explores a variety of moral dilemmas centered around the continued use of immortalized cancer cells from a patient in the 1950s.


    The Truth in Small Doses: Why We're Losing the War on Cancer — and How to Win It
    Clifton Leaf
    A decade ago, Clifton Leaf, a celebrated journalist and a cancer survivor himself, began to investigate why we had made such limited progress fighting this terrifying disease. The Truth in Small Doses brings an interesting perspective to the debate about how best to allocate our scarce resources in the cancer fight.

  • Current Fellows

    Raavi Singh, MHA, MPH, CPH
    Fellowship Years: 2022-2024
    Graduate School: University of South Florida

    Theo Baldwin, MSci, MBA, MCSO
    Fellowship Years: 2021-2023     
    Graduate Schools: University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, Harvard Medical School

    Past Fellows

    Nancy Tang, MPH
    Fellowship Year: 2020-2021     
    Graduate School: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthNew Link

    Alexandria Monteiro, MS
    Fellowship Year: 2019-2020     
    Graduate School: Wake Forest University School of Business

    Alyssa Stapper, MHA
    Fellowship Year: 2018-2019     
    Graduate School: Cornell University

    Francesca Wang, MPH
    Fellowship Year: 2017-2018 
    Graduate School: Yale University

    Hannah Theodat, MBA, MSW
    Fellowship Year: 2016-2017
    Graduate School: Boston College

    Maya Espada, MSPH
    Fellowship Year: 2015-2016
    Graduate School: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

    Manny Hill, MSE
    Fellowship Year: 2014-2015
    Graduate School: University of Michigan

    Mary Tyson Catlin, MS
    Fellowship Year: 2013-2014
    Graduate School: University of Rochester

    Kelly Greeley, MBA
    Fellowship Year: 2012-2013
    Graduate School: Babson College

    Meredith Roberts Tomasi, MPH
    Fellowship Year: 2011-2012
    Graduate School: Harvard School of Public Health

    Julie Bryar Porter, MS
    Fellowship Year: 2010-2011
    Graduate School: Harvard School of Public Health

    Daniel Yagoda, MPH
    Fellowship Year: 2009-2010
    Graduate School: Columbia University

    Catherine Nwodo, MPH
    Fellowship Year: 2008-2009
    Graduate School: Emory University

    Tracie Lewis, MHA
    Fellowship Year: 2007-2008
    Graduate School: Simmons School of Health Studies

  • Testimonials

    “The Dana-Farber Administrative Fellowship program provided the opportunity for me to take deep dives into diverse project work and gain hands-on learning and management experience, all of which were supported by strong mentorship from executive leadership across the organization. Specifically, the Fellowship program and leadership team empowered me to collaborate with teams across the organization while developing skills within strategic planning, operations, finance, patient care services, community outreach, clinical research, and business initiatives. The Dana-Farber Administrative Fellowship program allowed me to accelerate my understanding of the competencies that are essential for leaders in health administration; develop strong relationships across diverse clinical and administrative teams; and pursue post-Fellowship opportunities tailored to my interests. I highly suggest the Fellowship program to those looking to pursue a career in health care administration.”
    — Alyssa Stapper, MHA, Fellow from 2018-2019

    “Dana-Farber's Administrative Fellowship program was a significant inflection point in my career and life. The unique experience of working closely with the world-class leadership team at Dana-Farber gave me a powerful perspective and understanding of internal/external challenges facing health care organizations today. Of equal importance, the Fellowship allowed me to explore my wide range of interests and led me down a path of self-discovery and growth. I will never forget what an amazing and transformative year I had! My deepest thanks and appreciation to Dana-Farber for its commitment to supporting and training future health care leaders.”
    — Fran Wang, MPH, Fellow from 2017-2018

    “Completing the Administrative Fellowship program at Dana-Farber has been pivotal in guiding and advancing my career in healthcare. Throughout my Fellowship, I learned directly from leaders in the field, helped solve high priority challenges facing the organization, and developed lasting and meaningful relationships with a network of mentors. As the Fellow, I gleaned insights into leadership, organizational culture, and strategic decision-making. The Fellowship program was an invaluable and transformative experience and one that I cannot recommend enough for anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare administration.”
    — Hannah Theodat, MBA, MSW, Fellow from 2016-2017

    “The Dana-Farber fellowship provided me with an opportunity to get to know the organization and make a positive impact on patient care and the patient experience. Throughout my year as a fellow, I shadowed over 30 leaders including administrators, physicians, and nurses. Dana-Farber’s commitment to the fellow experience paved the way for mentorship and impactful project work in all areas of the Institute. I had the opportunity to contribute to various complex projects, including the launch of our new medical record system and the integration of Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care. By the end of my year-long fellowship, I had developed lasting relationships with leaders and was transformed both personally and professionally.”
    — Manny Hill, MSE, Fellow from 2014 to 2015

    “The Dana-Farber administrative fellowship is a unique and extraordinary opportunity. Exposure to senior leadership, engaging project work, a collaborative environment, and incredibly strong mentorship are the cornerstones of this fellowship. I was able to observe high level decision-making while also empowered to lead and implement projects of strategic importance to the Institute. This combination has given me a unique perspective and set of skills that I am truly grateful for at this stage of my career. And even more valuable are the lifetime relationships built over the course of my fellowship at this mission-driven organization.”
    — Mary Tyson Catlin, MS, Fellow from 2013-2014

    "The Administrative Fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute exceeded my already high expectations, and I consider it to be a critical milestone in my early career. I found the senior leadership at Dana-Farber to be extraordinarily generous with their time, mentorship, and opportunities for me to work on projects. Each project provided valuable lessons, such as how to effectively build and manage teams, what questions to ask when thinking about an organization’s future, and how to define and solve problems in a healthcare setting. The fellowship is relatively unstructured, which meant I was able to explore various projects and departments, and learn as much about Dana-Farber, cancer delivery, and hospital operations as possible."
    — Julie Bryar Porter, MS, Fellow from 2010 to 2011

    "Participating in the Administrative Fellowship program was an incredible experience, and one which has greatly contributed to my professional development. The program provided a unique opportunity to work closely alongside incredibly talented and experienced leaders at a very early stage in my career. Through their mentorship, I developed a deep understanding and appreciation for the complexity involved in managing one of the country's leading cancer centers. In a relatively short period of time, I had an opportunity to work on high-visibility projects across multiple functional groups, allowing me to explore my interests while developing my skill sets. The program was an invaluable experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing a career in hospital administration."
    — Daniel Yagoda, MPH, Fellow from 2009 to 2010

    "The Administrative Fellowship at Dana-Farber provides an opportunity for bright, talented future health care executives to work, and accumulate more relevant experience, in the complex environment that Dana-Farber provides. From the Institute's perspective we get to see young talent in action. Our administrative fellows are then ready for more senior level positions sooner and hopefully, if we can convince them to stay at Dana-Farber, their ramp-up time is much shorter."
    — David Read, MBA, MPH, Vice President for Ambulatory Care Operations and Chief Administrator, Medical Oncology

    "Fellows have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of leadership and management opportunities, including executive leadership strategic initiatives, tactical/operational projects, and scholarly programs and activities. The diversity of the experiences makes this fellowship unique. Each fellow brings his/her strengths to the table — and it's a win-win for everyone."
    — Pat Reid Ponte, RN, DNSc, FAAN, Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief of Nursing