My name is Carly Varisco, and in July 2022, I completed the Administrative Fellowship Program at Ochsner Health. I started this journey in 2021 because I wanted to gain experience in healthcare operations and learn what happens in hospitals on a day-to-day basis. The program was a great experience for me because although I had prior knowledge and experience in human resources (HR), the fellowship allowed me to grow my knowledge of healthcare in general and expand my use of my HR knowledge to understand the bigger picture.

Here are three things I gained in the Administrative Fellowship Program:

Networking

During my time as a fellow, I was able to build relationships with my cohort and network with other leaders and teams. Those networking opportunities gave me the chance to work on projects with different hospitals, clinics and corporate offices. Building those relationships has helped me a lot in my current role at Ochsner, and when you work in operational roles, connecting with people is incredibly important. I learned how to communicate effectively with my team members and leaders, which is very valuable in my current position.

Experience

The administrative fellowship is a unique opportunity for anyone looking to explore different projects and areas in healthcare, especially if you’re unsure about which pathway you want to choose. The best part is that people are willing to train and coach you during the fellowship. Plus, you’ll work a lot on improving the patient experience, which is essential in healthcare.

Patient Care

The fellowship presented me with opportunities to work on projects and collaborate with different operational leaders, as well as behind-the-scenes experiences of what it takes to best care for patients. You get to see how non-clinical teams contribute to Ochsner values such as patients first and excellence. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes when caring for patients, and you get to learn more about those processes. 

Who should apply?

The fellowship welcomes a range of professionals, making it a great fit for various backgrounds and experiences. While some participants come directly from a healthcare-related master’s program, others may have worked in different fields before realizing their interest in healthcare.

The program is open to those who have already been in the workforce for several years, providing a unique opportunity for career changers seeking to transition into the healthcare industry. The administrative fellowship program would benefit people with backgrounds in:

• Business
• Communications
• Social work
• Finance
• HR
• Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS)

For those starting a healthcare career, it's crucial to have a passion for helping people and supporting clinical professionals. Healthcare is fast-paced, so being flexible and adaptable is essential. Each day brings new challenges, and you need to communicate effectively with a varied group of people. Despite the challenges, it's a rewarding experience. In my current role, I get to interact with patients daily. Seeing my staff grow and succeed in their roles is incredibly fulfilling. I take pride in coaching them and ensuring our patients have the best experience possible. Even though I work in an operational role, I know that our success makes a positive impact on patient care.