About the PDC Fellowship Program
The Administrative Fellowship at the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) is a 2-year program for Masters-level graduates or students whose program requires a year-long fellowship before graduation. The program offers career development opportunities, hands-on experiences in outpatient practice management, and exposure to one of the world's top academic medical centers. Fellows gain first-hand experience in dealing with the internal and external pressures that affect the local and national healthcare landscapes, and how they impact all entities within Duke Health.
To ensure we are in the heart of the action, PDC leadership is strategically located in the center of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, which places us in the middle of our clinical network and supports our current growth plan.
Informational Webinars: TBD
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Important Dates:
Applications for the 2022–2024 fellowship program are now closed. Please check back at a later date for more information.
Year One: Learn the Ropes
During the first year, Fellows rotate through clinical and administrative departments of the PDC, Duke University Health System, and Duke University Hospitals. During these rotations, Fellows gain a comprehensive understanding of PDC and its strategic initiatives by shadowing senior administrators and PDC leaders, who also mentor Fellows on a monthly basis to ensure they are successful.
Fellows will also have department-specific projects in each of their rotations to provide a broad understanding of all areas of PDC's administration. This also gives Fellows to get a better sense of where to hone their focus in year two.
Rotations:
Project Work
Project work may be proposed by senior leaders or the fellows, based on personal interest and professional goals. Fellows work with leadership to evaluate and select projects that combine the professional interests of the Fellows and the needs of the organization.
Projects assigned during the first year allow Fellows hands-on experience with various types of initiatives across all departments and functional areas of PDC's administration. A new project may be assigned during each of the Fellows' 2-week rotations, allowing them to develop working relationships and working knowledge of the organization.
Year Two: Hone Your Experience
During the second year, Fellows select an area of the PDC in which to work based on career interests, organizational priorities, and continued mentoring. In this more focused year, Fellows become part of the management team, and develop health administration leadership experience.
Project Work
Projects in the second year are related to the specific areas in which the Fellows have elected to hone their skills and experience. Because these projects can go on throughout the duration of their second year, Fellows have the opportunity to manage them from start to finish and create solutions with lasting impact
Required Application Materials:
Prior to initiating your application process, prepare the following items:
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Resume/CV
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1 Current Official Graduate School Transcript
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Undergraduate Transcript (Unofficial Accepted)
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2 Letters of Recommendation (Academic and Professional)
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Please address letters of recommendation to the "PDC Administrative Fellowship Selection Committee"
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1-Page Statement of Purpose: Explain how your life experiences and journey into healthcare influenced the person you are today and your decision to pursue an ambulatory administrative fellowship?
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1-Page Supplemental Essay: Select one of PDC's values—teamwork, excellence, safety, integrity, and diversity—and describe its importance to healthcare leadership.
Personal statement supplemental essays should be written in 12-point font, single spaced, with 1-inch margins. Please adhere to the page limits listed above.
Successful Applicants:
Are driven and team-oriented
Have foundational knowledge in the core competencies of healthcare administration
Desire personal and professional growth
Educational Requirements:
Applicants must have completed degree requirements for CAHME, AACSB, CEPH, and/or AUPHA-accredited Masters in Health Administration, Masters in Business Administration. We also accept applications from candidates whose programs require a one-year fellowship prior to graduation.
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Meet the Team
Preceptor
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Simon Curtis, MHA
Vice President, Ambulatory Services
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship: Duke University Hospital, 2010–2012
Simon joined PDC in 2013 after his role in Ambulatory Operations at Duke University Hospital, bringing more than eight years of experience in a variety of administrative and leadership roles at Duke Health and the PDC.
Simon is responsible for the operations of all ambulatory clinics in the PDC. In this role, he oversees all aspects of these clinics, including patient satisfaction, safety, employee relations, and finance. He also oversees Duke Health Access Services.
Simon is a founder of the PDC Administrative Fellowship program and has been Preceptor since its inception in 2015.
First Year Fellows (2021-2023)
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Natalie Orellana, MHA
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Education: University of Florida, Master of Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Fields of Interest: Operations, pediatrics, finance, patient experience
Personal Interests: Tutoring, serving in church ministries, traveling
Ellice Mae Sanchez, MHA
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Education: University of Central Florida, Master of Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Fields of Interest: Operations, strategy, business development and value-based care
Personal Interests: Pilates, exploring new places, crafting
Second Year Fellows (2020-2022)
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Addison Newman, MHA
Hometown: Wilmington, North Carolina
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Fields of Interest: Population health, strategic planning, finance
Personal Interests: Golf, traveling, reading, Duke basketball
Kelly Page, MHA
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Fields of Interest: Process improvement, patient experience, strategic planning
Personal Interests: Scrapbooking, exercise and fitness, traveling, reading
Julianne Robertson, MHA
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina
Education: Medical University of South Carolina, Master of Health Administration
Healthcare Fields of Interest: Ambulatory operations, process improvement, population health
Personal Interests: Exploring new cities, yoga, reading, live music
PDC Administrative Fellowship Alumni
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Camille Grant Valentine, MHA, MAT, CLSSGB, CPPS (2015-2017)
Title: Director of Community Affairs, Duke Raleigh Hospital
Hometown: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Education: Georgia State University, Master of Arts in Teaching; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: “The PDC Administrative Fellowship has afforded me the opportunity to explore the broad field of ambulatory care, while deepening my knowledge of healthcare administration. The professional and personal relationships that I’ve gained at the PDC are ones that will last a lifetime. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to find my niche in healthcare administration, and my voice as a young careerist. I look forward to the opportunities to come with confidence knowing that I’ve been prepared by an extraordinary administrative fellowship program.”
Karly Gregory, MPH (2019-2021)
Title: Strategic Services Associate, PDC
Hometown: Wakefield, Rhode Island
Education: Boston University, Master of Public Health
Fellowship Experience: "The PDC Administrative Fellowship engaged me in ways I did not expect. Duke Health is a truly diverse, complex health system, and exposure to the many facets opened my eyes to the value of passionate people, humble inquiry, and intentional collaboration. The PDC leadership engages and challenges fellows through meaningful conversations and project work, while also encouraging continued growth to set you up for success. This program and the Duke culture are impressive, and I’m excited to carry these experiences and learned skills into my career."
Herlydcia Joseph-Andre, MHA (2016-2018)
Title: Clinical Operations Manager, Department of Medicine
Hometown: Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Education: University of Florida, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: "The program has provided me with unique insight into healthcare delivery through valuable exposure, impactful projects, and diverse rotations that allowed me to see first-hand the core operating factors that fuel the working engines of the organization."
Sonia Kohli, MHA (2017-2019)
Title: Project Manager, Department of OBGYN
Hometown: Hilton Head, South Carolina
Education: Medical University of South Carolina, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: "The PDC Administrative Fellowship allowed me to understand ambulatory operations through rotations and hands-on projects. The fellowship enabled me to gain knowledge of different specialties and work alongside providers to improve the patient and provider experience. The entire experience was rewarding for both my personal and professional growth, and I am grateful for the relationships and friendships I made throughout the program."
Rachel Liao, MHA (2017-2019)
Title: Program Director - Access, PDC
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Education: University of Washington, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: "The PDC Administrative Fellowship has been a wonderful growth experience. I am deeply grateful for the numerous blessings it has afforded me. The fellowship's rotational structure, mentorship opportunities, and project work provided a unique platform, upon which I gained broadly-applicable hard and soft skills, experiential training, and unparalleled exposure to a multidisciplinary network of talented professionals."
Priscilla Lunsford, MIE (2018-2020)
Title: Lean Improvement Coach, PDC Operations
Hometown: Windsor, North Carolina
Education: North Carolina State University, Master in Industrial Engineering (MIE)
Fellowship Experience: “The PDC Administrative Fellowship provided me with a great opportunity to understand ambulatory operations and how they fit into the greater healthcare system. I was positioned within the system to develop my abilities while also providing value to the organization. The leadership at the PDC plays a large role within the fellowship and demonstrates the values we hold as an organization. Deciding to apply for this fellowship has been one of the best decisions I have made in my career.”
Michaela McMorris, MHA (2018-2020)
Title: Planning Analyst, PDC Strategic Services and Network Development
Hometown: Piedmont, South Carolina
Education: Medical University of South Carolina, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: “The PDC Administrative Fellowship has been an amazing opportunity for me to grow as a young professional. Through the fellowship program, I was able to learn valuable information from the rotations, form strong professional relationships, and polish my skills and abilities for my healthcare career. Overall, I am truly grateful for this experience and very excited to see how I can apply what I learned in the fellowship to my future endeavors.”
Kate Medynskaya, MHA (2019-2021)
Title: Strategic Services Associate, Duke Heart & Vascular
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: "The PDC Administrative Fellowship provided me with an opportunity to learn more about the ambulatory side of health care while continuously growing as a professional. I not only experienced each individual administrative department, but also clinical areas within Duke Hospital. PDC administrative and clinical leadership is heavily invested in the growth of its fellows through mentorship and project support and continues to support fellows post fellowship opportunities."
Joshua Neubert, MHA (2019-2021)
Title: Program Manager, PDC
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Education: The Pennsylvania State University, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: "The PDC Administrative Fellowship was key to developing a foundation for my career. It met all of my goals in an organization and fellowship program. Experience with a world-renown institution this early in my career offered me exposure to leadership, ambulatory operations and the business of healthcare. There is system-wide support for the administrative fellows and frequent opportunities to connect with the program post-fellowship. I look forward to strengthening the many relationships made during the fellowship program."
John Ruch, MMS (2015-2017)
Title: Financial Analyst, PDC Finance
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Education: Duke University Fuqua School of Business, Master of Management Studies
Fellowship Experience: “The PDC Administrative Fellowship allowed me to understand how a world-class health system functions at an executive level while simultaneously experiencing clinical operations in an up-close and personal way. This approach helped me to understand all aspects of healthcare delivery while also fostering my personal and professional development.”
Lauren Walls, MHA (2015-2017)
Title: Clinical Operations Director, University of Miami Health System
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Education: University of Texas Arlington, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: “The PDC Administrative Fellowship provided me with many opportunities to interface with physician and university leadership across all areas of the PDC and health system. Working with these leaders has been invaluable in helping me understand the complex issues the health care industry faces today, and furthering my professional development."
Austin Williams, MHA (2016-2018)
Title: Financial Analyst, PDC Finance
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Education: Medical University of South Carolina, Master of Health Administration
Fellowship Experience: "The program has allowed me to expand my knowledge of all aspects of managing a large outpatient physician-faculty practice. One of the most exciting aspects is getting to learn about the unique relationship between PDC and Duke University Health System."
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