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Administration, Operations, and Quality Fellowship


This two-year SAEM-accredited fellowship is specifically designed to train healthcare leaders by developing expertise in clinical operation, quality and process improvement, human resource management, information technology, financial management, program development, observation medicine, and leadership. 

Fellows will develop skills by participating and leading specific projects and initiatives with increasing levels of complexity and autonomy while completing a fully funded Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare at the University of Colorado Denver Business School. Administrative fellows are part of the core leadership team for the University of Colorado Hospital emergency department, internationally recognized for innovation in emergency care delivery.

In this fellowship, you will:
  • Develop the skills needed to become a healthcare leader across government, hospital, and departmental settings 
  • Refine professional presentation skills and have access to funding support for professional presentations
  • Receive diverse mentorship from nationally recognized operations and quality leaders
  • Gain exposure to informatics, with opportunities and funding for Epic physician builder certification (including an in-person option at the Epic campus, if desired)
  • Engage in clinical shifts as academic emergency medicine faculty at the University of Colorado Hospital, with exposure to both resident-supported and independent (solo) practice settings

Program Leadership


Jean Hoffman Headshot 100X120Jean Hoffman, MD, MS, MBA, FACEP
Fellowship Director
Clinical Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Greg AdamsGreg Adams, DO, MBA
Assistant Fellowship Director
Clinical Site: University of Colorado Hospital

Fellowship Details


As healthcare has evolved over the last decade, so too have the competencies required for physicians to lead effectively in an increasingly complex environment. Traditional post-graduate training alone is insufficient to prepare emerging leaders who must manage population health, navigate a dynamic regulatory landscape, reduce costs, and respond to rapid advances in both clinical care and technology. Modern physician leaders must also develop expertise in quality improvement, patient safety, and outcomes measurement, alongside a working fluency in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital health tools.

Effective healthcare leadership now demands the integration of best clinical practices with proven business strategies, strong operational and quality frameworks, and the thoughtful adoption of technology to enhance care delivery. As we transition from a system focused on volume to one centered on value, leaders must be equipped to leverage AI and informatics, drive continuous quality improvement, and implement scalable, technology-enabled solutions that improve patient outcomes while maintaining efficiency and sustainability.

768 clinical hours per year about 6-8 clinical shifts per month

Compensation typically includes:

  • All tuition & fees are covered for Executive MBA in Health Administration from the CU Denver Business School
  • Contact the Fellowship Director or [email protected] for more details about compensation and reimbursement for scientific or educational presentations.

 

Application process:

  1. Apply online and include:
    1. CV
    2. Personal statement
    3. Two letters of recommendation
  2. Phone interview with fellowship director or core faculty
  3. Virtual interviews to be held later in the year

Operations work

  • Attend monthly case review committee where multidisciplinary/multispecialty teams come together
  • Attend regular cadence of the following meetings
    • ED case review committee
    • ED operations
    • ED process improvement
    • ED quality improvement 
  • Lead projects in process improvement and departmental quality 
  • Participate in hospital leadership meetings, departmental projects and meetings

Curriculum


Goals:

  • Participate in and complete at least two quality, safety, process improvement, or operations projects under the mentorship of fellowship core faculty
  • Participate in and complete one finance project
  • Participate in and complete one information technology project
  • Develop at least two research projects
  • Participate in Department of Emergency Medicine research meetings as assigned
  • Submit one scholarly publication, abstract, or presentation over the 2year fellowship
  • MBA Program Completion

Participation in the MBA program requires an average commitment of approximately 15 hours per week (48 semester hours) and is completed over an 18-month period.

Fellows perform all required course work to successfully earn an Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration from the CU Denver Business School. Successful degree completion is expected at the conclusion of the second year of the fellowship. In-class sessions occur in Denver approximately seven days per semester. The remainder of course work is completed online throughout the year.

Curriculum includes:

Management Accounting in Healthcare Organizations

Microeconomics

Statistics & Epidemiology

Managing Healthcare Outcomes

Healthcare Economics

Healthcare Management Information Systems

Healthcare Leadership

Healthcare Corporate Finance

Strategic Human Resources Management

The Healthcare System

Quantitative Methods

Healthcare Marketing

Health Policy

Ethics & Health Law

Healthcare Strategic Management

Management of Healthcare Organizations

Electives

Clinical Curriculum

Fellows build advanced clinical expertise through direct patient care in a high-volume, high-acuity emergency department. Clinical participation averages 6–8 shifts per month, totaling 1,536 hours over the two-year fellowship. Most shifts are completed at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, with additional opportunities at affiliated UCHealth freestanding emergency departments.

This experience is designed to refine clinical judgment, strengthen efficiency in complex care environments, and drive excellence in patient outcomes.

Key components include:

  • Refinement of clinical skills within a robust academic emergency medicine setting
  • Achievement of board certification in emergency medicine (if not already attained)
  • Development of high performance across patient experience, quality, and operational metrics
  • Exposure to clinical informatics and observation medicine
  • Active participation in teaching medical students, advanced practice providers, and residents

Note: Due to the rigor of fellowship expectations, including board certification, MBA completion, and administrative engagement, external shadowing is not permitted without prior approval.


Administrative Curriculum 

Fellows engage in structured leadership and administrative training that complements their clinical experience and supports long-term career development in academic and operational medicine.

This component emphasizes mentorship, reflective practice, and active participation in departmental and institutional initiatives.

Core elements include:

  • Participation in Emergency Medicine Case Conference (M&M) and departmental faculty meetings
  • Engagement in department, school, and hospital committees
  • Development of leadership skills through involvement in departmental and interdepartmental initiatives
  • Regular mentorship meetings with fellowship leadership and guided reflection on professional growth
  • Participation in and facilitation of journal and book clubs focused on operations science and leadership
  • Development of advanced communication and presentation skills for academic and institutional audiences

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