Current Fellows
Kaitlyn Apodaca
Kaitlyn grew up in various cities throughout the West Coast between California and Washington. After graduating from Boston College with her degree in Biochemistry, Kaitlyn completed her Master of Health Administration at The George Washington University. In between undergraduate and graduate school she worked at Definitive Healthcare supporting the Customer Success and Sales Executive teams in sales strategy, analytics, and business operations. Kaitlyn interned at the Cleveland Clinic with the Pediatric Institute during her graduate experience and engaged with projects in clinical operations, business operations, and finance. Over time, she has developed an interest in operations and patient experience. During her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys reading new books (including keeping up with her Goodreads goal), finding new restaurants, practicing Pilates and yoga, and trying new activities and hobbies.
Ihunanya Muruako
Ihunanya was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Community & Global Public Health from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. During undergrad, Ihunanya was a participant of the University of Michigan Summer Enrichment Opportunity where she cultivated her understanding of influencing factors in health equity and health management and policy. Her experiences allowed her to understand the dynamic field of healthcare and healthcare management thus prompting her to earn her Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her fellowship, Ihunanya completed her administrative residency at the Cleveland Clinic in International Operations and is excited to be returning this year as an Administrative Fellow. During her time in graduate school, Ihunanya completed projects in the areas of process and quality improvement and operations. She also served as a Public Health Educator at the Franklin County Health Department. Ihunanya is deeply passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, the caregiver experience, and quality of care. Outside of work, Ihunanya enjoys pilates, spending time with loved ones, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Clara Ortega
Clara was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management & Policy from Georgetown University, and her Master of Healthcare Administration from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Prior to graduate school, Clara worked as a Healthcare Consultant at Guidehouse, specializing in hospital operations and performance excellence. Within two months of starting this role, she was quickly entrusted to serve as the Quality Assurance Lead to support one of the largest clients at the firm, helping to develop a nation-wide contact center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Clara worked at Johns Hopkins Medicine International, supporting the Global Services team to forge partnerships across the Latin America market. As a result of her background and experiences, Clara has developed a passion for international operations, strategy, and leadership. Looking ahead, Clara is excited to be joining the Cleveland Clinic as an Administrative Fellow to take a deeper dive on how this world-class institution operates. Outside of work, Clara enjoys trying new restaurants with friends, traveling, and exploring the Tremont towpath trail next to her new home in Cleveland.
Shivang Patel
Shivang was born in New York, but grew up in Kentucky. Shivang attended the University of Louisville where he received his Bachelor of Science in Public Health. During his time in undergrad, Shivang gained experience through his time shadowing the Chief Medical Hospital at Baptist Health Hardin and working as a project manager for Trilogy Health Services. In 2023, Shivang graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Master's in Health Administration. In graduate school, Shivang completed an administrative practicum at UK HealthCare. At UK HealthCare, he worked on projects revolving around utilization, case management, and U.S. News and Worlds Report. Last summer, Shivang completed his administrative residency at Norton Healthcare where he gained a broad exposure to hospital operations. Shivang has worked on projects focusing on surgical first cases for the enterprise as well as facilitated and organized contracts for their newly acquired hospital. Shivang is passionate about improving healthcare delivery through innovation and strategic growth. Outside of work, Shivang enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, and watching sports.
Katina Porras
Katina was born and raised in Guatemala. She attended Wake Forest University for her undergraduate degree and where she created her own major in Public Health Policy and Communication. After graduating from Wake Forest University, Katina moved to New York City to attend Columbia University in pursuit of an MHA. During graduate school, Katina co-founded Villa, a maternal health startup that aims to close health gaps in maternity care by addressing the social drivers of health. Additionally, Katina completed her Graduate Administrative Internship at Cleveland Clinic Florida, working with the Medical Operations team. Beyond her healthcare career, Katina is a makeup artist, who enjoys the outdoors, travel, and dance.
Hemal Prasad
Hemal was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Tampa, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Emory University. Hemal attended the University of South Florida to complete his Master of Health Administration and a certificate in Health Informatics. He completed his administrative internship at the University of South Florida Health system studying patient readmission rates, conducting patient surveys, and addressing data quality issues to uncover root causes of readmissions. Throughout his graduate education, Hemal served as a research assistant on a project studying Florida hospital’s experience adopting the Levels of Maternal Care as well as a teaching assistant for courses concerning health services management and quantitative analysis. Outside of work, Hemal enjoys working out, playing video games, reading, and traveling to new places.
Mary Tallett
Mary was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Management & Policy from St. Louis University, where she also completed an Accelerated Master of Health Administration. Guided by her personal philosophy of "lift as you climb," Mary co-developed a healthcare speaker series called Med"U"Cation, which aims to provide exposure to a diverse range of healthcare professionals for underserved youth. Mary also worked as a graduate administrative intern at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Clinical Operations, where she project managed the activation of a bariatric practice in a new market region. In her free time, Mary enjoys spending time with her mischievous dog, Theo, practicing yoga, and listening to crime podcasts.
Jessica Yuen
Jessica grew up in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Health and Society from Cornell University. Afterwards, she worked at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a COVID analyst supporting efforts to monitor community testing volume across nine lab sites. With colleagues, she participated in two American Public Health Laboratory poster sessions - one advocating for asymptomatic community testing of COVID and another on ensuring data interoperability between laboratory and hospital electronic record systems to reduce health disparities. The importance of policy and data analytics to drive equitable health improvements motivated Jessica to pursue a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University. During graduate school, her team won the 2022 Cleveland Clinic Case Competition on addressing disruptors to primary care. This helped her recognize the innovative and impactful work Cleveland Clinic has done and will continue to do to improve patient access, experience and longevity. She is excited to be an Administrative Fellow to learn how to advance both clinical and non-clinical operations for the wellbeing of patients, caregivers, the community, and the organization. Outside of work, Jessica likes to try new recipes and restaurants, improve her artistic skills, and explore her new home of Cleveland.
Alumni Fellows
Fellowship Program through project involvement, mentorship, and social activities. Alumni are available as a resource for the current Fellows during the Fellowship Program. connected to the Fellowship Program through project involvement, mentorship, and social activities. For the current Fellows during the Fellowship Program.connected to the Fellowship Program through project involvement, mentorship, and social activities. Alumni are available as a resource for the current Fellows during the Fellowship Program.
“As a native of New York City, living in the Midwest never crossed my mind. But shortly after moving here, I fell for Cleveland’s charm. The city has something for everyone’s social preferences – you just have to find the right crew and you’re good to go! Over the last year, I have had the chance to check out some of Cleveland’s best restaurants and patios, see some of my favorite artists in concert, and watch Lebron’s last games as a Cleveland Cavalier. Most importantly, Cleveland is a place where I have made some lifelong friendships. I am truly thankful for the experiences that I have had thus far and look forward to making more memories!.”
– Michele Acheampong
“As someone who was born and raised in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for graduate school, I was never supposed to like Ohio. I moved to Cleveland 5 years ago to serve as an Administrative Fellow for the organization and couldn’t see myself leaving until I had the opportunity to join our Cleveland Clinic London team and further our mission internationally. Having lived in Central London for a few months, I am enjoying it to the fullest yet missing all of the friendships, activities, scenery, and entertainment that Cleveland afforded me during my time there. Cleveland is an incredibly energetic and thriving city to start one’s career. There are countless restaurants, parks, breweries, sporting activities and night life. I look forward to one day relocating back to the city that has given me so much!”
– David Oliphant
The Administrative Fellowship has been a valued management development program within the Cleveland Clinic for over 30 years. Over the past five years, 100% of Administrative Fellows have been offered permanent positions post-fellowship. The list below includes Alumni from the last 10 years currently working at Cleveland Clinic.
Name | University | Year of Fellowship |
Current Position at CCF |
Location | Department |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guo, Xinyue | Northwestern University | 2020/2021 | Program Manager II | CC Lou Ruvo | Neurological Institute |
Haffner, Andrew | Saint Louis University | 2020/2021 | Program Manager | Regional Operations | Regional Operations |
Kabambi, Joséphine (Josie) | Columbia University | 2020/2021 | Contract Manager | CC Abu Dhabi | Global Mobility |
Kaleel, Robert | Cornell University | 2020/2021 | Assistant Administrator | Respiratory Institute | Respiratory Institute |
Tipper, Bradley | University of Alabama | 2020/2021 | Program Manager II | CC Florida Hospital Weston | Executive Office |
Okie, Whitney | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 2019/2020 | Administrator | Florida | Hospital Medicine Institute & Clinical Operations |
Anstine, Nicholas | Ohio State University | 2019/2020 | Administrative Director | Regional Operations | Regional Hospital Administration |
Adu-Brimpong, Joel | University of Michigan | 2019/2020 | Program Manager | CC Lou Ruvo Center Admin | Neurological Institute |
Johnsen, Elisabeth | Ohio State University | 2019/2020 | Program Manager | Chief of Staff | Chief of Staff Division |
Clare, Brianna | Saint Louis University | 2018/2019 | Assistant Administrator | DPSi | DPSi |
Hook, Andre | Cornell University | 2018/2019 | Project Manager | CC London | International Operations |
Loeger, Julia | University of Michigan | 2018/2019 | Project Manager | Innovations | Innovations |
Koickal, Shanna | Rush University | 2018/2019 | Project Manager | CC London | International Operations |
Martins, Alexis | George Washington University | 2018/2019 | Project Manager | Regional Operations | Regional Hospital Administration |
Acheampong, Michele | Yale University | 2017/2018 | Project Manager | CC Community Care | CC Community Care |
Beinkampen, Sarah | The Ohio State University | 2017/2018 | Project Manager | Chief of Staff | Clinical Affairs |
Colvard, Cachet | University of Michigan | 2017/2018 | Associate Administrator | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi | Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Emergency Medicine |
Houser, James | University of Alabama at Birmingham | 2017/2018 | Assistant Administrator | CC Community Care | CC Community Care |
Migliore, Nicholas | University of Minnesota | 2017/2018 | Project Manager | Market & Network Services | Market & Network Services |
Zerbini, Steven | Boston University | 2017/2018 | Assistant Administrator | Hospital Medicine | Medicine Institute |
Beutler, William | University of Pittsburgh | 2016/2017 | Project Manager | International Operations | International Operations |
Bogues, Renee | Cornell University | 2016/2017 | Project Manager | CC London | International Operations |
Crisp, McKinley | Yale University | 2016/2017 | Project Manager | Chief of Staff | Clinical Affairs |
Rader, Ashley | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 2016/2017 | Administrator | Medical Operations | Operations |
Wesolowski, Paige | George Washington University | 2016/2017 | Manager | Medical Operations | Operations |
Allyn, Brian | George Washington University | 2015/2016 | Administrator | Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute | Department of General Surgery |
Chan, Sing Yuen (Joey) | Yale University | 2015/2016 | Administrator | Nursing Institute | Nursing Administration |
Patzke, Andrew | University of Iowa | 2014/2015 | Interim Manager | Cleveland Clinic Canada |
Sports Health Orthopedics & General Operations |
Snowden, Joshua | The Ohio State University | 2014/2015 | Director | Global Patient Services | Operations |
Stovicek, Deanna | Virginia Commonwealth University | 2014/2015 | Administrator | CC London | Critical Care Medicine |
Yu, Vivian | University of Michigan | 2014/2015 | Administrator | CC Community Care | Primary Care & Internal Medicine |
Oliphant, David | University of Michigan | 2013/2014 | Administrative Director | CC London | International Operations |
Read, Katherine | Cornell University | 2013/2014 | Department Administrator | Emergency Services Institute |
Emergency Medicine |
Zimmer, Ted | University of Michigan | 2013/2014 | Director | Market & Network Services | Market & Network Services |
O’Rourke, Chris | University of Michigan | 2012/2013 | Institute Administrator | Emergency Services Institute | Emergency Services Medicine |
Schuessler, Kathryn | University of Michigan | 2012/2013 | Department Administrator | Emergency Services Institute | Emergency Services Medicine |
Zwischenberger, Andrea | George Washington University | 2011/2012 | Senior Director | Executive Administration | Executive Board Office |
Smith, Nehemiah | University of Michigan | 2010/2011 | Institute Administrator | Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute | Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute |
Laird, Travis | Penn State | 2007/2008 | Chief Business Operations Officer | CC London | International Operations |
Cissell, Molly | The Ohio State University | 2006/2007 | Director | Regional Operations | Beachwood Family Health Center |
Ibsen, Alison | Yale University | 2006/2007 | Senior Director, Cancer Programming | Taussig Cancer Institute | Taussig Cancer Administration |
Vidmar, Erick | The Ohio State University | 2006/2007 | Administrative Director | Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Nevada | Neurological Institute, Las Vegas |
Abhyankar, Dhanashree | UNC- Chapel Hill | 2005/2006 | Senior Director | CC Community Care | CC Community Care |
Kinnan (Snow), Meghan | St. Louis University | 2005/2006 | Executive Director | CC Community Care | CC Community Care |
Life in Cleveland
Once a haven for immigrants and a powerhouse of industry, Cleveland's cultural identity springs from its past and includes a vibrant mix of families, young professionals, entrepreneurs and college students – all with different ethnicities and backgrounds.
Historically, Cleveland has been roughly broken into two parts, the east and west, split by the Cuyahoga River. The West side is home to the Gordon Square Arts District and attractions like the popular Great Lakes Brewing Company, while the East side houses the trendy East Bank Flats waterfront district and Progressive Field, home to the Cleveland Indians baseball team.
In recent years, Cleveland has been enjoying a renaissance. Today, this metro area on the banks of Lake Erie is experiencing growth and revitalization. With continued development, opportunities abound for construction workers and electricians, as well as for professionals in the medical and IT sectors.