About the Program
The Administration Fellowship develops leaders and innovators in all aspects of healthcare administration
Housed in the Department of Emergency Medicine, our two-year administration fellowship prepares emergency physicians for careers in health care administration and quality. The fellowship includes financial support toward obtaining a Master of Science Health Administration from one of the best programs in the country at VCU. Learn more about the MSHA Program
We plan to obtain certification through the SAEM fellowship accreditation process.
The core pillars of this program include the following:
- Leadership
- ED and hospital system science
- Operations
- Quality and Safety
- Scholarship
- Career development
Fellows provide clinical care for approximately 60 hours per month, supervise residents and medical students and hold appointment as clinical instructors at the VCU School of Medicine (SOM). Additional moonlighting is also available.
Fellowship Components
The Program focuses on several key areas of healthcare administration: leadership, health system science, operations, quality, scholarship and career development.
The administration fellows will develop and enhance leadership skills and engage in opportunities for their own leadership development. Fellows will take an active role in all aspects of emergency medicine leadership, and have the opportunity in their final year to hone an area of particular interest. Administration fellows will serve as Assistant Medical Directors during their training and take an active role in all aspects of leading a emergency department.
Fellows will learn and engage in health system science to better comprehend and lead the complex interactions of leadership in an emergency department, hospital, and health system. They will also provide education in these areas to emergency medicine learners.
Fellows will serve in a role of progressive responsibility as part of the ED operations leadership team. They will interact in department, hospital, and health system initiatives to promote the delivery of efficient and safe emergency medicine care. Although the administration fellow will participate in all aspects of emergency medicine operations, an area of focus will be pursued in the final year of the fellowship involving change change management and scholarship.
Fellows will become proficient in critical areas of patient and systems safety. Through engagement with the Vice Chair for Quality and Safety in Emergency Medicine, along with our safety team at our hospitals and health system level, opportunities to participate and lead safety initiatives and reviews will be an important component of the fellowship. Review of patient safety metrics, six-sigma and root cause analysis methodology will help fellows develop important tools to improve patient care in the department and with multi-disciplinary health system partners.
The administration fellowship is designed to develop leaders in healthcare administration and quality leading to a variety of future career options. An emphasis on developing skills of lifelong learning and inquiry is an important element for future success. Based at a major academic medical center, there are ample opportunities, and an expectation, for scholarship and research during the fellowship. VCU School of Medicine and VCU Health System have multiple resources to facilitate success in research and scholarship.
Career and leadership development is a key aim of the fellowship. Multiple opportunities to obtain mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship are available through VCU Health System, the VCU School of Medicine, and the MHSA degree program. In addition, our experienced and nationally known faculty within the Department of Emergency Medicine will be integral to building a strong foundation for your career in health administration.
Life in Richmond
Urban life with a small-town feel
We encourage our students, residents and fellows to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and Richmond is a wonderful place to engage in that well-rounded lifestyle. As the capital of Virginia since 1779, Richmond attracts students, faculty and staff from around the globe. The city’s location affords easy day trips to destinations like Washington, DC, Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg and the Blue Ridge Mountains, among others.
As a mid-sized city with a metropolitan population of 1.3 million, Richmond provides stimulating activities while maintaining its intimate feel and unique vibe. Vibrant neighborhoods offer distinct, diverse experiences, with no shortage of art galleries, museums, music venues, restaurants, breweries and parks. For the outdoor enthusiast, you can’t beat the offerings in the city’s riverfront parks and urban wilderness areas such as white-water rafting, hiking, mountain biking and festivals.
Learn more about our community.
Program Leadership
Ramana Feeser, MD
Administration Fellowship Director
Ramana Feeser, MD
Administration Fellowship Director
Emergency Medicine
Professor and Vice Chair, Quality and Safety
Email: venkata.feeser@vcuhealth.org
Joel Moll, MD
Administration Fellowship Director
Joel Moll, MD
Administration Fellowship Director
Emergency Medicine
Professor and Vice Chair, Education
Interim Assistant Dean Faculty Affairs
Email: joel.moll@vcuhealth.org
Administration Fellowship Core Faculty
Harinder Dhindsa, MD MPH MBA
Professor and Chair
Harinder Dhindsa, MD MPH MBA
Professor and Chair
Emergency Medicine
Michael J. Vitto, DO MS RDMS RDCS FACEP FAEMS
Interim Chief of Operations, Emergency Medicine
Michael J. Vitto, DO MS RDMS RDCS FACEP FAEMS
Interim Chief of Operations, Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Associate Medical Director, Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety
Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Email: michael.vitto@vcuhealth.org
Shannon Walsh, MD
Medical Director, ED/Palliative Care and ED Nocturnist Operations
Shannon Walsh, MD
Medical Director, ED/Palliative Care and ED Nocturnist Operations
Emergency Medicine
Assistant Professor
Email: shannon.walsh@vcuhealth.org
Angela B. Lindsay, DO FACEP
Medical Director, VCU New Kent Emergency Center
Angela B. Lindsay, DO FACEP
Medical Director, VCU New Kent Emergency Center
Emergency Medicine
Associate Professor
Email: angela.creditt@vcuhealth.org
Jon Silverman, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Jon Silverman, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
VCU School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Danielle Gong, MD
Emergency Medicine Physician Informaticist
Danielle Gong, MD
Emergency Medicine Physician Informaticist
Emergency Medicine
Assistant Medical Director Telemedicine
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Email: danielle.gong@vcuhealth.org
Taruna Aurora, MD
Enterprise Medical Director of Utilization Management and Physician Advisor Services
Taruna Aurora, MD
Enterprise Medical Director of Utilization Management and Physician Advisor Services
Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor
Co-Director, Clinical Decision Unit, Emergency Department
Email: taruna.aurora@vcuhealth.org
Pawan Suri, MD
Chief, Division of Observation Medicine
Pawan Suri, MD
Chief, Division of Observation Medicine
Department of Emergency Medicine and Internal Med
Associate Professor
Email: pawan.suri@vcuhealth.org
Anne Jackson
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Anne Jackson
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Nursing Administration
Email: anne.jackson@vcuhealth.org
How to Apply
Applications are accepted from July 1 to October 15, but can be considered outside this window under special circumstances.
Applicants must have a medical degree, have completed an ACGME accredited emergency medicine residency program prior to starting fellowship, and be able to obtain a medical license in the commonwealth of Virginia. Because applicants work clinically in the emergency department, the ability to obtain medical staff credentials, CMS participation, and work in VCU Health System is required.
To apply contact the program director, Ramana Feeser at venkata.feeser@vcuhealth.org
You should provide:
1. Cover letter stating that you are applying for the administration fellowship
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Three reference names and emails
4. Personal statement addressing your interest in health administration is encouraged but not required