Meet Our Administrative Fellows
Cincinnati Children’s Administrative Fellowship is a one-year project-based experience that is offered to recent master’s level-or-above degree graduates and current students. This is an opportunity to develop and understand the administration and operations of one of the top pediatric and academic medical centers. During their year at Cincinnati Children’s, fellows lead and participate in real-time strategic projects across the organization while also building relationships with team members and leaders throughout Cincinnati Children's. The fellowship experience consists of but is not limited to:
- Project work
- Observational learning experiences
- Professional development
Throughout the administrative fellowship, we strive to help develop and mold the healthcare leaders of tomorrow. Meet our 2023 administrative fellows!
If you have a project for one of our fellows that could put their skills to use and broaden their experience, please complete this form to propose a project for a fellow to lead or take part in. To learn more, including information about the administrative fellows, examples of past projects, and parameters that should be considered, visit our program information page on CenterLink.
Madison Copeland
Where did you grow up? I am originally from south Georgia but grew up mostly in northern Kentucky. I have lived in Georgia since graduating high school, and my parents and extended family are in Georgia as well.
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? I have always been fascinated with medicine and healthcare. It is an incredibly complex system that people depend on daily, and I have always been interested to learn more about how it works. I have worked in several roles in healthcare, including patient-facing as an EMT and in a support role in a Level IV Newborn Intensive Care Unit in Atlanta. These roles highlighted the importance of good management, leaders, and operational efficiency, among many other things.
Organizational struggles are reflected in patient care, and I am passionate about ensuring that the “behind-the-scenes” work promotes the highest quality of care for every patient and family.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? I am most looking forward to the people. Cincinnati Children’s is world-renowned in pediatric healthcare, and I am eager to learn from the leaders who contribute to the success of this organization. The culture at Cincinnati Children’s is welcoming, inclusive, and embraces young professionals, making it an ideal place to learn and grow as a future leader. I have already felt so welcomed by the current administrative fellows and fellowship director, and have enjoyed meeting many leaders and past fellows throughout the application and interview process.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? Above all, I hope to learn as much as I can during my time as an administrative fellow. I am eager to get involved with projects in the hospital and the community and provide a benefit to the organization. I have several interest areas, but I hope that this fellowship solidifies the area that I may be best suited for post-fellowship. I hope to welcome doing things out of my comfort zone and maximize every opportunity I am given.
On your days off, where could we find you? On my days off, you can definitely find me in a local coffee shop. I am always on the hunt for the best cold brew or oat milk latte. I also love doing yoga, trying new restaurants, and going on walks or runs outside!
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? In fifth grade, my teachers awarded superlatives as part of our “graduation” to middle school. I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed,” which further fueled my desire to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world I live in. I was a kid that never stopped learning, set extremely high standards for myself, and didn’t always feel like I fit in; I loved being on the Academic Team and hated cheerleading. Though the award was small, it instilled the confidence in me to be myself, embrace my love for academics, and know that I could achieve great things if I set my mind to it.
What is your secret superpower? My secret superpower is my ability to work with anyone. I am able to adapt to different situations and teams, realizing when I should be a leader and when I should take a step back and just listen. I enjoy working with people and always strive to be someone others want to work with.
Brandon Felton
Where did you grow up? I was raised in Oak Park, Illinois, about 15 minutes west of Chicago.
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? Initially, I aspired to attend medical school. However, during the process of attaining prerequisite hours, I became inquisitive of what makes hospital systems go, while concurrently becoming aware of the impact that healthcare systems have on a population’s health. With a passion to leave an impact on society before my time, I find healthcare administration too hard to pass up. For me, I find this career path to be rewarding and a starting point in my healthcare journey.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? I look forward to sharing conversations with everyone I will meet and experiencing first-hand how Cincinnati Children’s consistently meets its mission and attains its vision, time and time again.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? At the end of my time as an administrative fellow, I hope to have established meaningful relationships for growth and networking and have sharpened my skills to drive operational success in systems that improve our society’s health.
On your days off, where could we find you? Likely outdoors exploring the Ohio and Kentucky land areas or volunteering at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center or Ronald McDonald House.
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? On Saturday mornings, when I was younger, my grandfather would play artists like James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Marvin Gaye on his record player, and my sister and I would dance for hours. Today, what that translates into is that I have a vibrant spirit that is willing to put myself out in the open and make the most of it.
What is your secret superpower? Time control. Having the ability to contort, elongate, shorten, experience, or re-experience time would be pretty fun, I think. Time is fleeting whether we acknowledge it or not.
Cate Young
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? I have always been fascinated by medicine, but my interest in healthcare administration stems from my passion for social justice and health equity. I feel so fortunate to begin my career at a point in history where organizations are changing the definition of healthcare services and expanding what actions can be taken to better serve our communities. The pandemic shined a light on many disparities within our healthcare system, and I am so excited to dedicate my time towards efforts that improve access for all.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? I am most looking forward to working with and learning from the staff at Cincinnati Children's. It speaks volumes about the culture here that every staff member I’ve spoken with is so happy and passionate about the place they work. I am also looking forward to serving the children and families of Greater Cincinnati, gaining a perspective different than any of my previous healthcare experiences.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? As an administrative fellow I hope to leverage my upcoming leadership opportunities to strengthen my confidence and lens as a healthcare administrator. I also hope to contribute creative and significant projects to both the organization and the community.
On your days off, where could we find you? Outside of work, I try to spend as much time making art as possible, whether it’s writing, photography, or painting. I love all opportunities to be creative in my own work and experience the work of others. Art gives such a unique perspective into someone’s thinking, emotions, and their approach to life.
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? My mom’s favorite story to tell about me is the first time my sister and I went swimming at my grandparent’s dock. We were both very young and excited. Although my sister is three years older than me, once she got to the edge she hesitated and got scared. I, on the other hand, got a running start and jumped right in without any fear. My mom says that was the first of many big leaps I’ve taken in my life, and over time, I’ve learned to turn my fear into excitement. I’m so excited to see what big steps are next for me at Cincinnati Children's!
What is your secret superpower? I am often the friend and colleague others go to for a listening ear or friendly advice. I’ve been told in the past I am good at reading situations and the feelings of everyone in the room, but I have always tried my best to understand as many different viewpoints as possible.