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 2024 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.
Abigail Borden
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Atlanta, GA.
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? As an adolescent, I exhibited a strong interest in management and organization. My mother still tells stories of when I was 3 years old and how I’d spend more time organizing my Barbie dolls and accessories than playing with them. This deep interest kept manifesting itself through stage managing plays and musicals in sixth grade, to working and running over 15 shows by the time I graduated high school.
I have always sought roles in which I could use my leadership skills, such as prom committee, Vestry group, and even starting my own club during high school, dedicating our time to volunteering at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
As the oldest child, my attraction to responsibility and “being in charge” only matured as I did. When I first started my undergraduate studies at Clemson University, I was a pre-business major and soon realized that something was missing from my core economic and management classes.
I always had an interest in healthcare, especially after my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia right before my freshman year of college. This growing interest in healthcare led me to discover the health science major with the health service administration concentration. Since it was a perfect mix between business, health, and humanities, becoming a healthcare administrator seemed like the ideal opportunity for me. I knew this was the right decision as I took my first health course. Even though it was extremely challenging, it provoked my need to learn more. Realizing I had so much to learn about healthcare and all the different ways I could apply my skills, I was genuinely thrilled to discover more.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? I am most looking forward to working closely with senior leadership. I believe that with their guidance, I will gain insight into management styles, how the organization functions on a day-to-day basis, and that, overall, I’ll expand my current knowledge base.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? The main thing I want to do as an administrative fellow is learn. I want to grow my academically acquired knowledge of the actual management of a healthcare organization. I also hope to build deep connections and relationships with those I work with and meet during my time as a fellow.
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? In fifth grade, my parents bid on and won the prize "Principal for the Day" for me—something I had begged them for. I was so excited. I reorganized my backpack and dressed up for school. As principal for the day, I led morning announcements, checked in on classrooms, and even got to sit in on an administrative meeting. I approached this job very seriously and took notes meticulously throughout the day. I also made sure I visited every classroom because I did not want to miss anything. My principal later told my mom she had never had another student take so much pride in being “Principal for the Day" as I did. This experience illustrates my desire to be a strong leader even at a young age.
What is your secret superpower? I have an incredible sense of direction. I almost never get lost, and on the rare occasion I do, I can easily get myself on the right path. For example, when I was 13, my mom and I got separated in the New York subway on our second day, and I found my way back to the hotel with no phone. Usually, it only takes one look at a map and I can find my way around anywhere.
Anuhya Cheemarla
Where did you grow up? I was born in Hyderabad, India, but grew up in Cumming, GA.
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? My interest in healthcare began when I witnessed how the system helped my father. We had recently immigrated to the United States. Watching everyone on his team work together to help really drove me to want to learn more. After that, I spent my summers volunteering at different hospitals, observing and learning about healthcare delivery. I had a particular interest in pediatrics. I was especially interested in healthcare administration after working for the Georgia Department of Public Health, supervising a contact tracing team for the COVID-19 pandemic. I spent my time speaking to different families who had faced unfair treatment throughout the pandemic and decided that I wanted to be someone who can advocate for change in those communities.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? I am particularly passionate about bettering the community before they step foot in the hospital, and the initiatives and partnerships Cincinnati Children’s has developed is something I’m excited to explore. Working with leaders at an organization that pours into community health through both direct healthcare delivery and community support is something I’m really looking forward to. I’m also looking forward to shadowing and learning from all the wonderful people at the organization. Cincinnati Children’s really promotes a welcoming environment, and I’m ready to learn!
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? During my time as an administrative fellow, I hope to work on projects that directly help the kiddos. Children are a unique patient population who need unique delivery solutions, and I would love to have done something tangible to help make any process they go through a little bit better. I also hope to develop some meaningful relationships at the organization. Cincinnati Children’s is a world-renowned organization with a vision of empowering through leadership. I hope to foster relationships with these leaders to become a better advocate for the kids.
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? One story from my childhood that best explains who I am today is the time I was cast as the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland in the 6th grade musical. We had to do a run-through of the show for the whole school, and a few of my friends were scared. I was also nervous, but I helped them feel better by talking them through it and showing them that I was going to unapologetically embody the character. We all ended up having the best time on stage and continued to have fun throughout all our performances! I think this experience and everything else I did around performance arts really pushed me to be courageous and take risks with everything I do and to always try and be a welcoming person.
What is your secret superpower? My secret superpower is that I have a good memory, especially with recognizing music. I can recognize most songs I’ve heard at least once within the first 15 seconds! Whether I’m at a coffeeshop or a grocery store, I’m usually humming along.
Corbin Kirksey
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Monticello, KY—right on Lake Cumberland.
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? Seeing my father help people through direct patient care at a critical access hospital, I had to find a way to be in healthcare. After deliberation between becoming a medical doctor or health administrator, health administration and the potential impact we could make as an organization to our service areas to increase access and increase quality won me over and ultimately led me to where I am now.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? Cincinnati Children’s and the impact it has on children’s health and their families is something I had to partake in. Being able to have the resources, workforce, and mission to be partners in health with our patients will allow us to make a positive impact on future generations.
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? As an administrative fellow, I hope to build relationships, identify my areas of interest within the many aspects of healthcare that impact our patients, and most of all, become a fellow that can lead our organization to improve quality and access through various initiatives within Cincinnati Children’s.
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? When I was young, my brother and I spent some time on a farm where we would plan out a pathway starting from point A to get to point B. There were only two routes to get to each, the easy way or the hard way that came with pain—the “NO PAIN WAY.” This way was filled with briar patches, thorns, and had a harder terrain. My brother would ask, which way are we taking today? I would say, “NO PAIN.” Knowing there would be pain along the way, we would brace ourselves to get to point B, coming out with scratches as we caught our breath trying to get to point B as fast as possible. While this was probably a dumb thing to do as a child, it reminds me of the ways in which I’ve gotten to where I am now…not the easiest pathway, but one filled with barriers, times where I had to push through to get here. This story defines my curiosity, perseverance, and will to push through adversity.
What is your secret superpower? My secret superpower is super speed, I’ve always been known to be a quick athlete, especially on the tennis court.
Japjit Tutt
Where did you grow up? 1. I was born in San Jose, CA, but moved to Indiana when I was 8. I consider Greenwood, IN, to be my hometown as I have spent the majority of my time there.
What sparked your interest and passion for a career in healthcare administration? My interest in healthcare administration was sparked by my passion for social justice. As a woman of color and daughter of two immigrants, I have been witness to structural barriers that have adversely affected the health of minoritized communities. I have been privileged enough to educate myself on our healthcare system and recognize the challenges/complexity of it. We, as healthcare professionals, have an opportunity to improve disparities in care and provide equitable, quality care to every patient we serve.
What are you most looking forward to about working at Cincinnati Children’s? I have had some exposure to pediatric care, but the vast majority of my work has been with IU Health, an adult academic health center. I am looking forward to learning more about pediatric care and how it may differ from adult care. Cincinnati Childrens' reputation precedes itself. I am excited to work for one of the nation's best!
What do you hope to accomplish in your time as an administrative fellow? I hope to learn, experience, grow and network. My aim is to complete this fellowship with enhanced skills and leadership capability.
What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today? I have always been an extroverted "people person." My parents often tell me that as a young one, there was no such thing as a "stranger" to me. I was always enthusiastic to meet new people and quickly developed bonds with those around me. I believe this trait carried on with me into adulthood, personally and professionally.
What is your secret superpower? 1. I believe my superpower to be my positivity. I have the ability to remain positive even in the face of adversity.