The Duke University Hospital Fellowship Program is designed to provide in-depth experience and knowledge of how the health system, and specifically Duke University Hospital, function at all levels of the organization. The Duke University Hospital Fellowship Program provides development opportunities that foster the learning of various competencies critical to the success of healthcare leaders, an understanding of the structure of DUH/DUMC/DUHS, and an appreciation of the complexities of operating a hospital/health system in an academic environment.

Program Structure

The Duke University Hospital Administrative Fellowship is a two-year program. During the first year, fellows gain in-depth exposure to the Health System through departmental rotations and project work. Rotations and projects are developed based on learning and developing competencies critical to the success of healthcare administrators. These competencies include:

• Financial Management
• Strategic Planning
• Time Management
• Project/Construction Management
• Facilitation/Interpersonal/Presentation skills
• Performance Management
• Management Engineering
• Project Management
• Patient Safety monitoring/Clinical Outcomes
• Physician Relations
• Balanced Scorecard Framework
• Healthcare Informatics

In the second year, working closely with senior management, fellows focus on specific areas of interest to develop in-depth knowledge and skills. At this point in the fellowship, fellows are encouraged to focus on specific departments/service line or interests and engage in projects and learning that will prepare the fellow for a post-fellowship job in their areas of interest.

Rotation Structure:

The Fellows typically spend 3 weeks rotating in Clinical Service Units (CSUs)/Departments within DUH/DUHS giving them time meet with all of the key individuals in various CSUs/Department, and to engage in at least one project, focusing on the competencies of the program. The competency-based rotations are to be designed so as to be completed during the fellow(s) rotation in a given area. The Fellowship Coordinator will review the project submissions with the fellows on a monthly basis to ensure that their experiences are achieving the goals of the fellowship. During the rotations, the fellow(s) will meet with key individuals in the CSUs/Departments. The focus of these meetings is to learn the role of the individual as well as to begin to address the specific project that the fellow(s) will be working on. For instance, if the fellow is to learn how to develop a unit's staffing schedule, they will meet with the Nurse Manager(s) to introduce themselves, learn about the Nurse Manager's role/history at Duke, and begin to learn about the key factors that affect scheduling.

Projects:

Beyond the projects that will be included in the rotations, fellows also will be able to pick up other work that addresses either core competencies or their personal interests. All projects are then reviewed by the Fellowship Coordinator with the fellows for appropriateness, fit and determination for assignment. Fellows are also encouraged to seek out projects that meet their interests.

Professional development is a key component of the DUH Administrative Fellowship Program. Fellows are given an annual stipend to travel to healthcare related conferences. Senior administration also works with the fellows to develop ad-hoc professional development sessions aimed at developing the competencies of the program.

Hospital Leadership Meetings

Throughout the first and second year of the fellowship, fellows are invited to participate in Ad-hoc and standing hospital and health system meetings. These meetings include but are not limited to:

• Executive Committee of the Medical Staff
• Hospital Leadership Council (DUH Operations Meeting)
• Performance Improvement Operations Committee
• Duke University Hospital Department Heads Committee

A Unique Institution

Duke University Medical Center, the heart of Duke University Health System, is rated among the very best health care facilities in the nation. The Medical Center began with a 1925 bequest from North Carolina industrialist James Buchanan Duke, who dreamed of creating the best medical institution between Baltimore and New Orleans. The Medical Center has long since surpassed that dream. A tradition of bold leadership, a firm commitment to excellence in research, educaiton, and patient care, and an innovative multidisciplanary approach have earned the Medical Center consistent recognition as one of the nation's leading health care facilities.

Duke University Health System is committed to providing a wide range of specialty, primary, and emergency care services at sites in Durham and across North Carolina. Services are offered at multiple facilities and practices throughout Durham, Raleigh, and the entire state.

Duke University Hospital has been recognized as one of the greatest health care providers by such publications as TIME and U.S. News & World Report. A full-service tertiary and quaternary hospital, Duke University Hospital is licensed for 1,019 beds.

See related article: Training New Health Care Leaders

Video Links

• DukeHealth Virtual Tour
• Achieving Our Goals: Duke and the Balanced Score Card