Administrative Fellowship FAQs

Who oversees the MD Anderson Administrative Fellowship?
This year, Fatima Sheriff, Chief of Staff to the President, is the formal preceptor. Chastity Boudreaux, Program Manager of the Leadership Institute, manages the Administrative Fellowship program.

How are projects and fellows matched?
During the second month of the fellowship, a call for projects is sent to institutional divisions, in which administrators are able to submit project proposals. Fellows then meet with their preceptor to identify projects that align with ACHE core competencies, their personal goals for professional development, and the organizational priorities of MD Anderson.

Can Administrative Fellows influence the structure of the program?
Yes. During the first two months in which you shadow divisional and departmental leaders, you may choose leaders or specific areas of interest to spend additional time. For example, you might be interested in our Houston-area locations. To gain more exposure, the fellow would discuss opportunities to shadow or work in that area with their preceptor.

What additional experiences might a fellow have in their 18 months?
Fellows are encouraged to fully engage in the institution and connect with various programs across the institution. There are many opportunities to connect with the patient community through our volunteer programs.

What kind of mentoring and professional support is provided for fellows?
Fellows receive support from the executive sponsors, the program director, preceptors, and fellow alumni, who provide guidance and career advice throughout the fellowship program.

What is the Leadership Institute?
The vision of the Leadership Institute is "to create relentlessly learning leaders transforming our unique challenges into opportunities in service of Making Cancer History®." Services include training courses, coaching and assessments. Fellows have the unique opportunity to access the LEADing Others curriculum in addition to one-on-one mentoring with Institute leaders.

How many fellows do you accept each year?
On average, we have accepted three fellows each year. The final decision is based on the candidate pool each year.

What is the fellowship's application timeline?
This year, applications are due September 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. After we have received your completed application, we will review the contents in their entirety. Those who are qualified will receive notification of a phone interview by the end of September. Once phone interviews are completed, applicants will be fairly assessed and then notified of their candidacy for an on-site interview which will take place in early October.

Do you need to be a current student to apply for the program or will MD Anderson accept fellows who obtained their graduate degree(s) in previous years?
You do not need to be a current student in order to apply for the program, but you must have received your degree or will receive your degree within twelve months of the start of the fellowship.

Can the fellowship be used for residency placement in order to complete my master's degree?
Yes, the fellowship may be used as a residency placement in order to complete your master's degree.  

Can you apply from a university that is not a CAHME, CEPH, or AACSB accredited school?
Unfortunately, you must have graduated or will graduate from a CAHME, CEPH, or AACSB accredited school.

I am currently enrolled in an MBA program, but how do I know I am qualified under the emphasis in health care management requirement?
You are qualified if you completed a specific concentration in your M.B.A. program that emphasizes healthcare within the curriculum; if you have worked in healthcare previously and you are choosing to further your education with an M.B.A.; or if you completed an administrative internship in a healthcare institution.

What happens after I complete my initial application?
Applicants who complete all required documents in the application and meet all criteria will be forwarded for consideration for a panel telephone interview.  On average, 25 - 40 telephone interviews are conducted each year.  Subsequent to telephone interviews a select number of candidates will be invited for onsite/virtual interviews with senior leadership.  After selected applicants confirm acceptance of the fellowship, they will receive an email from the Slate system with additional documents to be completed, signed and uploaded, including instructions and deadlines.

How can I tell if all of my documents have been submitted?
To check the status of your application, log on to your Slate account and select 'Status' from the menu. Your application is complete when all sections are complete and both letters of recommendation have been uploaded to your account. 

Who will read my personal statement?
All materials will be reviewed by the program and review committee. 

Who should letters of recommendation be addressed to?
Address letters to:
Leadership Institute MD Anderson Administrative Fellowship
7007 Bertner Ave.
Houston, Texas 77030

Can letter of recommendation be mailed?
No, all letters of reference should be submitted electronically from the recommender via the link sent to them.

What should I do if my letter of recommendation is not submitted?

Follow up with the recommender. After entering your recommender’s information, the recommender will receive an email link to upload their letter directly to your application. You will not be able to see the letter, but you will be able to see that the recommender submitted the letter. If the recommender tells you they did not receive the email link, follow these steps:

• Confirm that you entered the correct email address in Slate. If you entered the wrong email address, from your Slate account, go to Request Letters of Recommendation (LEFT menu) and select Delete next to the recommenders name, re-enter the information and submit another request.
• Login to your Slate account, click Request Letters of Recommendation from the left menu, and select Send Reminder.
• Tell the recommender that the email notification will come from SLATE_Support@mdanderson.org and to check their bulk/spam/junk folder. If this does not work, see if the recommender will give you their personal email address (e.g. gmail or yahoo).
• Inform the recommender that the link was emailed from SLATE_Support@mdanderson.org and have them check their spam/bulk/junk folder.

If the recommender still does not complete the recommendation, go to Request Letters of Recommendation (LEFT menu) and select Delete next to the recommenders name, enter a different recommender’s information and submit request.

If my program is not accredited, am I still eligible to apply?

Applications are only accepted from students from CAHME, CEPH or AACSB accredited schools.

Add under General Employment Questions

What is the salary for a fellow?
The Administrative Fellowship salary is competitive with other programs.

What benefits are included?
Fellows receive paid holidays and accrue both vacation and sick leave. Fellows and their dependents are eligible for full medical and dental benefits.

Upon completion, will the fellowship lead to a position within MD Anderson?
Although it is the hope and intent that fellows will continue to work for MD Anderson, there is no formal obligation to either party to offer or accept a position post-fellowship.

What kinds of jobs can fellows expect to get after they complete the fellowship?
This depends on a myriad of factors such as the qualifications and experiences that the fellow had prior to the fellowship, the positions available and the career path that the fellow has determined that he/she wants to pursue. Some examples of post-fellowship positions include project manager, program manager, administrative director and business center manager.

Does the Administrative Fellowship sponsor work visas?
No. We are unable to sponsor visas at this time. Applicants to the fellowship program must be either a citizen of the United States or be legally authorized to work in the United States.

What other employment opportunities are currently available at MD Anderson Cancer Center for recent graduates with an M.H.A., M.B.A. or M.P.H.?
For information about other employment opportunities available, please visit https://www.mdanderson.org/careers.

I’m currently employed at MD Anderson, am I eligible for the Administrative Fellowship Program?
Yes, if you meet all other program requirements.  Please note, the Administrative Fellowship is an educational program and participants are classified as trainees.