Undergraduate Administrative Internship Program

Program Description

1 of 4

• 2024 LiH Cohort

• 2023 LiH Cohort

• 2022 LiH Cohort

• 2021 LiH Cohort

Overview

Cleveland Clinic’s Leadership in Healthcare Undergraduate Administrative Internship Program (LiH) is a competitive 10-week summer program offered to rising Junior and Senior college students. This program welcomes all academic majors, commonly including Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, and Business Management. The LiH internship is suitable for students of all backgrounds in alignment to Cleveland Clinic’s values.

As the healthcare industry grows and serves a wider range of patients from various backgrounds, having leaders who understand and represent these communities is essential. Embodying the organization’s vision of being the best place in the world to receive care, LiH interns bring unique perspectives and experiences, embodying the organization’s vision of being the best place in the world to receive care.

Why choose a career in Healthcare Administration?

Healthcare administration involves managing the operations, strategies, finances, and services of healthcare organizations. Administrators work closely with medical staff and other healthcare professionals to ensure that healthcare organizations run smoothly and are able to provide quality patient-centered care.

A career in healthcare administration offers significant potential for personal growth and professional development. Healthcare is a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry, and administrators are at the forefront of driving change. Administrators have the opportunity to become agents of change, influencing how healthcare is delivered. This field also provides ample opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and community impact.

Why choose the Cleveland Clinic Leadership in Healthcare Undergraduate Administrative Internship?

1. Cohort Model: Interns benefit from the program’s cohort model, where they will have the opportunity to network and collaborate with other students Interns are assigned to clinical and non-clinical departments across the enterprise
2. Dedicated Leadership and Support: Interns are supported by mentors and a dedicated team to ensure that their experience aligns with their professional goals and interests. In addition, each intern is assigned a sponsor that works with the intern to identify projects that satisfy their interests and enhance their professional development as they navigate the organization over the summer.
3. Professional Growth & Networking Opportunities: LiH interns have a unique opportunity to gain in-depth exposure to careers in healthcare leadership. Through a high-challenge and high-support framework, students are pushed to explore new interests in the field of healthcare administration and develop as future healthcare leaders
4. Hands-On Experience:  Although placements and project work are subject to change each year, all interns will have the opportunity to complete meaningful project work that promotes well-rounded professional development. Please see the “Past Interns” tab for examples of previous intern placements and key projects.
5. Experience Cleveland: Cleveland, Ohio, offers a vibrant and enriching experience for both visitors and residents. With over 150 parks, 35 museums, and many top-rated restaurants, the city is celebrated for its vibrant arts and culture scene, providing a unique and engaging environment for all.

Post-graduate opportunities

LiH interns can extend the length of their internship and continue interning at the Cleveland Clinic as they finish out their coursework.  They are encouraged to pursue a graduate degree and apply to the Graduate Administrative Internship and Administrative Fellowship Program.

Application Process

Applications are now open for the Summer 2026 Undergraduate Administrative Internship!  See below for instructions on how to apply.

Who qualifies?

This internship is open to rising Junior and Senior undergraduate students who are passionate about healthcare administration and leadership development.

Selection Process

• Applications will be accepted from October 31, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. ET December 31, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
• First-round virtual interviews will take place in early January 2026, and second round interviews will take place in late January to early February 2026. Final offers will be made by the end of February.

To Apply

To get started, click on the Portal Instructions below and review the infographic. This is a step-by-step guide to create your account and submit your application. 

Please note: all document submissions must be in PDF format in order to be reviewed by the selection committee. 

• View application instructions

Instructions

Step 1: Create an account in the Clinician Nexus Application Portal. Sign up is free!

Step 2: Complete the application. Application materials include:

• Resume (1-page, PDF format)
• Cover Letter (PDF format): In the cover letter, applicants should indicate their interest in Cleveland Clinic and specific goals for their summer internship.
• One Short Essay Responses (500 words or less):
  • Healthcare administration requires integrating professional and personal experiences as well as personal commitment to people and the communities served. Share what inspires you to pursue the administrative and leadership side of healthcare and explain how your own background and identity influences the way you hope to lead. (PDF format)

Step 3: Once you have uploaded your materials, remember to click the [Save and submit request] button.

Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to log into your Clinical Nexxus profile and view your application status and/or edit your materials before the deadline.

Contact us

For questions about the program or application process, please email us at AdminFellows@ccf.org.

Program Structure

Each intern is assigned a sponsor that works with the intern to identify projects that satisfy their interests and enhance their professional development as they navigate the organization over the summer.

Leadership

Kayla Robinson
Program Director, LiH Undergraduate Administrative Internship Program
Associate Strategy Partner II

Kayla is an Associate Strategy Partner at Cleveland Clinic serving on the Strategic Partnerships and Integration team. In her role, she manages relationships and deals with many internal and external partners varying from global health system affiliates to digital health startups to hospitals within the Cleveland Clinic system. She often works closely with the enterprise’s Executive Strategy Council to successfully drive operational and innovative strategies. Before this role, she completed an Administrative Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and a Graduate Internship working in Executive Administration.  

Vanessa Santamaria
Associate Program Director, LiH Undergraduate Administrative Internship Program
Project Manager II, Ambulatory Operations

Vanessa is a Program Manager in Ambulatory Operations in Northeast Ohio, where she leads initiatives centered on standardizing processes, optimizing workflows, and implementing solutions across 150 ambulatory locations. She works closely with clinical service lines and shared services to coordinate system-wide projects that positively impact caregivers, the community, and the patients they serve. Before this role, Vanessa completed an Administrative Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and a Graduate Internship in Regional Hospital Operations.

In addition, Vanessa serves as the Associate Program Director for the Leadership in Healthcare Undergraduate Internship. She is passionate about supporting the program by facilitating weekly didactic sessions and mentoring undergraduate interns.

Joy Mason
Associate Program Director
Trauma Administrative Program Manager

Joy is the Trauma Administrative Program Manager at Main Campus where she works closely with hospital, institute, and regional leadership to lead strategic and operational initiatives for trauma and acute care. Before this role, Joy completed her Administrative Fellowship, Graduate Administrative Internship, and Undergraduate Administrative Internship at Cleveland Clinic. Joy earned her Master of Health Administration from The Ohio State University and BS in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University.

Joy serves as one of the Associate Program Directors for the Leadership in Healthcare (LiH) Undergraduate Administrative Internship. As a first-generation college student, Joy is passionate about increasing access to opportunities for leadership development, career advancement, and mentorship for students and early careerists. In this role, Joy is excited to help develop the next generation of healthcare administrators through meaningful educational programming, impactful events, and fostering cohort connection.

Past Interns

Saanchi S.
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Community Health
Placement: Digestive Disease Institute
Preceptor: Clara Ortega - Assistant Administrator General Surgery
Key project: LOS optimization for the Center for Gut Rehab and Transplantation

Micki Z.
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
Placement: Regional Operations at Hillcrest Hospital
Preceptor: Nick Anstine - Senior Director of Hospital Operations
Key project: Data-driven assessment of patient transport staffing at Hillcrest Hospital

Maria G.
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Health Policy and Management
Placement: Global Leadership and Learning Institute
Preceptor: Colleen Carrol - Senior Director Learning Strategy and Design
Key project: Creation of a Nurse Leadership Academy

Azza E.
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Major: Public Health & Health Care Management
Placement: Medical Specialties Institute
Preceptor: Amelia Brown - Executive Director
Key project: Creation of team-based action plan for MSI leadership rounding

Tyler B.
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Major: Industrial and Operations Engineering
Placement: Buildings & Design
Preceptor: Christine Foley - Administrative Director
Key project: OKR Reporting dashboard innovation

Sara C.
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Major: Public Health & Sociology
Placement: Talent Acquisition
Preceptor: Kiersten Kanaley - Vice President
Key project: Content design and production for the Caregiver Video Studio

Andrew C.
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences & Health Equity
Placement: International Operations
Preceptor: Bill Baddour - Senior Director
Key project: Financial assessment for Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at Cleveland Clinic Las Vegas

Ela M.
Undergraduate: Emory University
Major: Human Health and Psychology
Placement: Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Preceptor: Jacqui Robertson - Chief of Diversity & Inclusion
Key project: Best practices guide for multicultural care to advance communication with diverse linguistic groups

Estefania D.
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Major: Biology & Society
Placement: Regional Operations
Preceptor: Renee Kolonick - Vice President
Key project: Comprehensive exam room utilization assessment at Main Campus

Macey D.
Undergraduate: Vassar College & Columbia University
Major: Public Health (accelerated dual degree)
Placement: Supply Chain
Preceptor: Erica Maltese - Administrative Director
Key project: Contract translation and creation for clinical commodities as part of the goods procurement cycle

Kaci H.
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Major: Human Development (accelerated MHA program)
Placement: Regional Operations
Preceptor: Chris Rodriguez - Chief Operating Officer
Key project: Renovation of Lutheran Hospital’s Connect Today page

Jamil R.
Undergraduate: University of Dayton
Major: Health Sciences
Placement: Hillcrest Hospital
Preceptor: Nick Anstine - Senior Director of Hospital Operations
Key project: Data-driven assessment of linen usage and distribution at Mentor Hospital

Rhea J.
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee
Major: Public Health
Placement: Supply Chain & Integrative Food Services
Preceptor: Erica Maltese - Administrative Director
Key project: Capital assessment of space and equipment across East and West Ohio Submarkets

Testimonials

“I have opened up and made new lasting friendships.” - Andrew C.

“I feel motivated each day to come in and face a new challenge.” - Jamil R.

“I have learned to be more independent, think strategically, and practice discernment. Being on my own and taking public transportation in a city that I’ve never been to really forced me to be more alert and wiser about my decisions.” - Kaci H.

“I lived alone for the first time this summer and I was able to gain a sense of independence and confidence in myself!” - Rhea J.

“I learned how to balance responsibilities and worked on achieving a work life balance.” - Sara C.

“I have grown in terms of my professionalism and knowing how to conduct myself in these spaces. I have grown to be more independent and become more comfortable with change.” - Azza E.