Overview

Overview

The Graduate Administrative Internship Program is a competitive 10 to 12-week summer program offered to graduate students in MHA, MBA, and MPH programs. Eligible students will have completed their first year of graduate studies. The internship program will provide students the opportunity to work within a specific institute or department at Cleveland Clinic, either at Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio or at one of our Florida locations. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to hone their competencies in a variety of areas (e.g., clinical operations, international operations, strategy) by participating in regular didactic sessions and case studies. Although housing is not provided, interns will receive resources to assist them in identifying housing options.

Why Cleveland Clinic?

Cleveland Clinic, which was ranked in 2021 as the No. 2 hospital in the country by U.S. News and World Report, has the largest graduate administrative internship program in the nation. This program prepares the next generation of healthcare leaders. Interns gain excellent career experiences in leading-edge areas of healthcare management. Interns are supported by a dedicated team to ensure their experience aligns with their professional goals and interests. Additionally, interns benefit from the program’s cohort model; interns will have the opportunity to network and collaborate with students from other top graduate programs.

Previous institutes and departments that interns have worked in:

Post-Graduate Opportunities

Many interns go on to become administrative fellows at Cleveland Clinic. Before they return to graduate school, interns are given the opportunity to apply and interview for the Administrative Fellowship Program through an Early Decision process.

Project Work

Project Work

The Graduate Administrative Internship Program provides interns the opportunity to complete a variety of projects. The intern will work with their preceptor to identify projects that satisfy their interests and enhance their professional development. 

Examples of projects that previous interns have completed include:

  • Revision of Patient Safety Presentation for Caregivers in the Pediatric Institute 
  • Analysis of Physician Engagement Data in the Pediatric Institute
  • Publication of Pediatric Outcome Measures 
  • Development of an Interactive Tool to Recommend Block Schedule Adjustments for Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Presentation to Executive Team on COVID-19 After-Action Review
  • Process Map to Improve Efficiency of Medical Assistants in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute
  • Creation and Implementation of an Audit Tool for Emergency Department Plan of Care Boards
  • Activation Planning for a New Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospital
  • Development of a Geriatric Telehealth Pilot Program
  • Business Plan Development for Regional Hospital Service Line Growth
  • Utilization of Telemedicine to Improve Regional Access to Care
  • Reduction of Kidney Transplant Readmissions
  • Reduction of CT and MRI Wait Times
Program Sponsors

Program Sponsors

Each intern is assigned to a sponsor. The sponsor acts as a mentor and works with the intern to identify projects that satisfy their interests and enhance their professional development.

Previous sponsors include:

  • Executive Director, Cleveland Clinic Community Care
  • Institute Administrator, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute
  • Institute Administrator, Emergency Services Institute
  • Institute Administrator, Pediatric Institute and Children's Hospital
  • Executive Director, Executive Administration
  • Senior Medical Director, Cleveland Clinic Innovations
  • Executive Director, International Operations
  • Director, Product Development
  • Executive Director, Regional Hospitals
  • Institute Administrator, Taussig Cancer Center
  • Chief Strategy Officer

While interns receive tremendous support from their sponsor, who is typically in a director or executive-level role, interns typically work most closely with a preceptor who oversees their daily work.

Contact Information

Contact Information

For more information about the Graduate Administrative Internship Program, please contact:

Cassie Ciarlillo
 Cleveland Clinic - Health Education Campus
9501 Euclid Avenue, EC30
Cleveland, OH 44106
Email: ciarlic@ccf.org


 
Testimonials

Testimonials

“During my time within the Strategy Office, I was exposed to the broad reach of the enterprise on the healthcare industry across Northeast Ohio, the country, and the globe. The internship allowed me to both learn from industry experts and mentors with diverse backgrounds and contribute my unique skills to project work. As I progress into my career as a healthcare professional, I will carry the lessons learned and relationships formed from my time at the Cleveland Clinic.” -Katie Kane, 2022 Intern Class

"I was able to support multiple projects over the summer to explore my interests, and with the support of my preceptor, I had the chance to connect with mentors throughout the enterprise. The didactic sessions highlighted a range of areas to explore within the Clinic, as well as health administration more broadly. I'm thankful for the cohort model that made the internship experience and exploring all Cleveland has to offer so memorable!" -Sarah Goss, 2021 Intern Class

“My internship in the Taussig Cancer Institute at the Cleveland Clinic gave me the opportunity to develop leadership skills by immersing me into projects that had direct support on the daily operation and strategic direction of the institute. In addition to the projects, I received weekly 1:1 coaching from my preceptor which helped me to successfully utilize the many resources provided by the Cleveland Clinic. Finally, the developmental workshops provided throughout the internship further equipped me to become an operational leader post-graduation.” -Daniel Kopechek, 2021 Intern Class

"I was really on the fence between two different career paths, but doing this internship solidified how much I wanted to be in hospital administration, and hospital administration at one of the best health systems in the world." -Kayla Robinson, 2020 Intern Class

"I really appreciated the autonomy I was afforded as an intern. My preceptor also introduced me to numerous clinical and administrative leaders, and was personally invested in my internship experience." -Casey Lawrence, 2020 Intern Class

"I was afforded the opportunity to spend a summer interning at Cleveland Clinic in Executive Administration. Being placed directly on a team allowed for me to build strong relationships and help contribute to the organization. The greatest benefit of the internship was experiencing the culture of Cleveland Clinic. From the start of my experience, I felt welcomed and supported in the work that I was doing. The sheer size of the Main Campus in Cleveland is energizing. The internship helped broaden my understanding of health care and allowed me to build friendships with many. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable experience." -Andrew Haffner, 2019 Intern Class

Application Process

Application Process

Applications are now open for the 2023 Cleveland Clinic Graduate Administrative Internship. The application deadline is October 30, 2022 at 5:00pm.

Please apply using the link below to upload your resume and cover letter (addressed to the "Selection Committee"). Your cover letter should indicate your interest in Cleveland Clinic and goals for a summer internship.

Cleveland Clinic Graduate Internship Application

After initial reviews, select first-round remote interviews will take place in December, followed by second-round interviews and final selections in late December or early January. The internship may be on-site, remote, or hybrid. A competitive monthly stipend will be provided to students during the 10-12-week internship.