Administrative Fellowship Program

Administrative Fellowship Program

Applications Beginning June 1, 2026

Children’s Wisconsin will be accepting 2027-2029 Administrative Fellowship applications beginning June 1, 2026.

To submit your application, please send your application to AdminFellow@childrenswi.org. The application deadline will be September 11, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST. Please refer to application requirements for further details.

To provide further information for applicants, we will be hosting two optional informational webinars in July and August 2026. These sessions will provide an overview of the fellowship, application expectations, and opportunities to ask questions.

About The Program

We are seeking fellowship candidates who would seriously consider post fellowship employment opportunities with us, should the fit be mutually agreeable and a position available.

The Administrative Fellowship at Children's Wisconsin is a two-year educational program designed to provide master’s-trained individuals with an exposure to the various functions of a comprehensive pediatric health system.

Children's Wisconsin is the region's only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. In Milwaukee and throughout the state, we provide kids and families a wide range of care and support — everything from routine care to lifesaving advances and treatment options. Our academic partner, the Medical College of Wisconsin, brings many of the nation's most well-respected doctors to our team. Together, we work to ensure that every child and family we serve receives nothing but the best. The health system provides care to patients, clients and families in a variety of community settings:

  • Two hospital locations — Milwaukee and Neenah
  • Specialty and primary care practices
  • Robust community services offerings
    • Foster care and adoption services
    • Child and family counseling
    • Child advocacy services
    • Family resource centers
  • Chorus Community Health Plans, an affiliate of Children's Wisconsin, is a health insurance organization dedicated to providing access to the highest quality health care and services to its members, offering two products — BadgerCare Plus and Individual and Family Plans.

Key Dates

  • Job posting opens: Monday, June 1, 2026
  • Informational webinar: July & August 2026 virtually, dates to be determined. Sign up for a webinar.
  • Application deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
  • Applicants invited to complete video interviews: Monday, September 14, 2026
  • Finalists notified of onsite interview offer: Monday, September 21, 2026
  • Finalist onsite interviews at Children's Wisconsin: Monday, September 28, 2026 – Tuesday, September 29, 2026
  • Selection notification: No later than Friday, October 2, 2026
  • Fellowship begins: July 2027

Our Fellows

Sonny Osowski, MHA | 2024-2026

Sonny Osowski is from right outside of Milwaukee, growing up in Hartland, Wisconsin. She attended Saint Louis University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Health Management, Mathematics, and Biostatistics and furthered her alumna status by completing their Accelerated Masters of Health Administration Program. During her time at SLU, Sonny had the opportunity to work at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital and focused on highlighting key strategic insights via analysis. During this experience, she furthered her passion for pediatrics, especially the need for comprehensive, integrated pediatric healthcare to provide the best and most complete care for kids. With this drive, Sonny is thrilled to be back in her home state working towards our vision of making the children of Wisconsin the healthiest in the nation. When not at work, Sonny enjoys cooking, going to the lake, and spending time with family and friends.

Kaitlyn Fuerst, MHA | 2025-2027

Kaitlyn Fuerst grew up in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wi, in a town called New Berlin. She attended the University of Iowa, where she received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Public Health, along with her Master's in Health Administration. Throughout her time at the University of Iowa, she completed her administrative internship at Intermountain Health, at Logan Regional Hospital in Logan, Utah. She also served as a graduate research assistant with Iowa Health Care with their Community Clinics, overseeing all ambulatory services. Kaitlyn gained her passion for pediatric healthcare at a young age, as her family was involved in Make-A-Wish Wisconsin growing up. That said, in her free time, she volunteers on the Wishmakers of Wisconsin board, along with spending time outside as much as she can. She loves to hike, golf, ski, travel, and spend time at the lake on the weekends!

John Smith-Wiehe, MHA | 2022-2024

Business Intelligence Manager

"The Children’s Wisconsin Administrative Fellowship gave me the opportunity to take what I learned in graduate school and apply it to real world situations. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go both broad and deep on topics across the healthcare continuum, to learn from experts, and to impact the health and well-being of the children of Wisconsin. In particular, I am grateful for the coaching and support to help me understand how my skills and interests overlapped with the needs and opportunities of the health system."

Jack Scalcucci, MS-HSM | 2012–2013

Vice President, Ambulatory Services

“The Administrative Fellowship at the Children’s Wisconsin is an amazing opportunity to learn within an organization that fully supports the fellowship model. The access, opportunities, and projects aligned with the fellowship included major initiatives and organizational priorities. While the work and experience was, in itself, rewarding, the culture and support of the organization during the fellowship created an environment that truly afforded me the ability to grow as a healthcare leader.”

Mike Flaherty, MHA | 2010–2012

Division Administrator, Anesthesiology

“The Administrative Fellowship at Children’s Wisconsin provided a wonderful opportunity to gain in-depth insight into the inner workings of a health system and immerse myself in pediatric healthcare. This was accomplished through work on high value strategic projects, direct leadership opportunities, and access to learn from the teams across the system about the work that they do to better the lives of children throughout Wisconsin. The accessibility of senior leaders throughout the system furthered my understanding of leadership and all that goes into strong decision making that drives an organization forward. I would not be the leader I am today if I did not have these experiences and will continue to use what I learned during the fellowship throughout my career.”

Elisa Gricunas, MHA, RN | 2004–2005 

Pediatric Nurse II

"The Administrative Fellowship at Children’s Wisconsin was a year filled with complete immersion into the corporate and organizational culture of Children's. This opportunity promoted administrative growth, and fostered a dynamic application of my graduate knowledge in a pediatric health care setting. The projects I pursued in my Fellowship confirmed my interest in patient safety and clinical quality improvement. The fellowship experience transcended into my nursing practice in how I care for my vulnerable pediatric patients. This includes promoting safe care delivery to the patients and families I serve, and has also influenced the various council and committee work I have pursued."

Alexandra Patterson
 2023-2025
 Division Administrator: Ophthalmology, Children’s Wisconsin

Eleanor Parsons (Jansen)
 2023-2025
 Business Manager, Surgical Services

Chelsi Jentsch (Reilly)
 2020-2022
 Division Administrator: Otolaryngology, Children’s Wisconsin

Marianna Valadez
 2019-2021
 Business Development Planning Manager, Advocate Health

Jenny Patterson, MHA
 2016-2017
 Department Administrator, Medical College of Wisconsin

Jeffrey Durfee Jr
 2014-2016
 Administrative Director of Surgery & Dentistry, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Jennifer Movrich (Friedman)
 2009-2011
 Continuous Improvement Manager, Skygen

Zachary Remmich
 2008-2009
 Director of Advisory Solutions, Lumeris

Anit Makhija
 2008-2009
 Director Of Performance Improvement, Children's National Health System

Melinda Moe (Malek)
 2007-2008
 Director of Operations, QuadMed

Greg Coleman
 2007-2008
 Senior Data Analyst, Optum Health

Philip Kissack
 2006-2007
 Strategy and Operations Consulting Manager, Advocate Health

Zarine Hanson (Anklesaria)
 2006-2007
 Registered Nurse, Bellin Hospital

Heather Oakland (Lipp)
 2005-2006
 Business Development Manager, Sanford Health

Matthew Groninger
 2004-2005
 VP, Medical and Surgical Subspecialties, Akron Children's Hospital

Elizabeth Welt
 2003-2004
 Business Analysis Specialist, Children's Hospital of Michigan

Nandita Nanchal
 2003-2004
 Chief of Administration - Dermatology, UW-Madison

Lori Cahalan
 2002-2003
 Technical Services, Epic Systems

Brett Norell
 2001-2002
 Principal, Newpoint Healthcare Advisors

Rahul Vinchhi
 2001-2002
 Director of Clinic Operations, Dignity Health

Edward Warzonek
 1999-2000
 Quality Assurance Coordinator, Milwaukee County

Pouneh Barnes (Yasai)
 1998-1999
 French Immersion Teacher, Kent Gardens Elementary School

Ranjan Pai
 1997-1998
 Chairman, Manipal Education & Medical Group

David Petasnick
 1996-1997
 VP, Operations at Rush Coply Medical Center

Tammy Guns
 1994-1995
 Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, The Divorce Resource Centre of Colorado

Jennifer Christmann
 1992-1993
 President, The Christmann Group (Consulting)

Sherri Ewing
 1990-1991
 Associate CNO at Lurie's Children's Hospital

Gary Colpaert
 1989-1990
 VP Clinical and Support Services, Froedtert Hospital

Juliet Kersten
 1988-1989
 Retired, VP of Ambulatory Services, Children’s Wisconsin

Narendra Kini
 1988-1989
 CMO, CDR Health

Contact Us

For more information or questions about Children’s Wisconsin’s Administrative Fellowship Program, please contact us at AdminFellow@childrenswi.org.

  • Support fellows in developing a comprehensive understanding of pediatric health care operations
  • Provide a variety of learning opportunities through exposure to both clinical and non-clinical settings
  • Prepare fellows for future health care leadership roles specifically in pediatric systems

The fellow will be accountable to the Chief Operating Officer and supervised by two preceptors. In addition, the fellow will have access to many other senior leaders through their project work who will provide guidance throughout the fellowship.

They will provide support to the fellow and conduct performance reviews every three months to provide the fellow with feedback on their performance. In addition, the fellow will also provide direct reports to hospital operations vice presidents. The fellow will also be expected to provide updates on their project work with the leader sponsoring that particular project.

Qualifications/Eligibility

  • Master's degree in health care administration, business administration or related field
  • Basic knowledge of health care operations from previous employment, such as an internship, is preferred
  • Must be a graduate by the time the fellowship position begins
  • We do not sponsor visas for this program

Key Competencies for Fellowship

Collaborates

  • Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives
  • Partners with others to get work done
  • Gains trust and support of others

Communicates Effectively

  • Is effective in a variety of communication settings, one-on-one, small and large groups or among diverse styles and position levels
  • Attentively listens to others
  • Provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization

Instills Trust

  • Follows through on commitments
  • Keeps confidences
  • Shows consistency between words and actions

Self-Development

  • Shows personal commitment and takes action to continuously improve
  • Accepts assignments that broaden capabilities
  • Learns from new experiences, from others, and from structured learning

Being Resilient

  • Maintains a positive attitude despite adversity
  • Bounces back from setbacks
  • Grows from hardships and negative experiences

The following items are required to be emailed as one PDF document to AdminFellow@childrenswi.org by the deadline of Sept. 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Official Graduate School Transcripts
  • Personal statement (addressing your career goals, your decision to pursue a pediatric administrative fellowship, specific skills you would bring to the organization, and attraction to Children’s Wisconsin). One page maximum.

Letters of recommendation

Two (2) letters of recommendation are required:

  • (1) Academic
  • (1) Professional

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly from the submitter to AdminFellow@childrenswi.org. The subject line of the email should read "Letter of Recommendation — Name of Applicant".

Letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline date — Sept. 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST.

Interview/Selection Process

After a thorough review of all complete applications, we will notify applicants who have been selected for an interview.

Onsite Interview
Candidates invited to interview on-site will participate in a dinner on the evening of September 28, 2026, and a day long series of individual and panel interviews with various Children’s Wisconsin executives, leaders and former fellows on September 29, 2026. Candidates should plan on arriving the ahead of the dinner on September 28. Overnight accommodations and travel plans will be coordinated as appropriate. On-site interviews will take place September 29, 2026. 

Selection:
The candidate selected for fellowship will be notified by Oct. 2, 2026.

Year 1

The first year of the fellowship is designed to immerse the fellow in the operations of Children's Wisconsin. Initially, the fellow will meet with all members of senior leadership at both the system and hospital level and then with different department leaders to gain a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the organization. To fully appreciate the operations of a health system, during the first year the fellow will shadow front-line staff to better understand the connection and impact of the decisions made by leadership teams. In addition, the first year will include project work core to the development of a future health care leader, as well as exposure to a fellow's particular area(s) of interest.

Year 2

In the second year of fellowship, the fellow will take the lead on various hospital and system-level initiatives in addition to pursing projects of interest. In addition, second year fellows will have the opportunity to mentor new first year fellows.

Sample projects and areas of exposure may include:

  • Construction and process improvement projects
  • Broader exposure to system level activities (including an introduction to system governance and Board relations)
  • Deeper exploration of health care finance and operational efficiencies
  • Hospital or system level quality improvement efforts
  • Interim leadership opportunity