About the Program
The Administration Fellowship develops leaders and innovators in all aspects of healthcare administration
Housed within the Department of Emergency Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, our two-year Administration Fellowship prepares emergency physicians for leadership careers in academic medicine, healthcare administration, quality and safety, and health system operations. The fellowship provides financial support toward obtaining a Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) from one of the nation's premier health administration programs and offers immersive experiences across emergency department, hospital, and health system leadership.
A distinguishing feature of the fellowship is direct mentorship from departmental, hospital, and health system leaders. Fellows work closely with Administration Fellowship Co-Directors: Harinder Dhindsa, MD, MPH, MBA, Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Ramana Feeser, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Quality & Safety, as well as physician, nursing, operational, and administrative leaders throughout VCU Health. Through these relationships, fellows gain firsthand experience in strategic planning, healthcare operations, quality improvement, patient safety, workforce development, financial stewardship, change management, and organizational leadership.
The fellowship's close partnership with departmental and health system leadership allows fellows to participate in high-impact initiatives that influence emergency department operations, quality and safety programs, clinical innovation, physician leadership development, and enterprise healthcare strategy. Fellows are given progressive responsibility and meaningful leadership opportunities while receiving individualized mentorship tailored to their professional interests and career goals.
Graduates of the fellowship are prepared for careers as emergency department medical directors, vice chairs, residency and fellowship leaders, quality and safety officers, chief medical officers, health system executives, and other leadership positions in academic and community healthcare organizations.
The fellowship includes financial support toward obtaining a Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) and is structured around six core pillars: Leadership, Health System Science, Operations, Quality and Safety, Scholarship, and Career Development.
We plan to obtain certification through the SAEM fellowship accreditation process.
Fellowship Components
The Program focuses on several key areas of healthcare administration: leadership, health system science, operations, quality, scholarship, and career development.
Administration fellows develop and refine leadership skills through direct participation in departmental, hospital, and health system leadership activities. Fellows assume progressive leadership responsibilities as Assistant Medical Directors and actively engage in emergency department governance, strategic planning, physician leadership development, and organizational change initiatives.
Fellows gain practical experience in health system science and learn to navigate the complex interactions between emergency departments, hospitals, and healthcare systems. Opportunities include participation in enterprise-level committees, multidisciplinary initiatives, and system-wide projects designed to improve quality, access, efficiency, and patient outcomes. They will also provide education in these areas for emergency medicine learners.
Fellows serve as integral members of the emergency department operations leadership team. They participate in departmental, hospital, and health system initiatives focused on patient flow, operational efficiency, workforce management, process improvement, and healthcare innovation. Progressive responsibility and project leadership prepare fellows for future operational leadership roles.
Under the mentorship of the Vice Chair of Quality and Safety and health system quality leaders, fellows develop expertise in patient safety, quality improvement, peer review, root cause analysis, systems thinking, and performance improvement methodologies. Fellows actively participate in departmental and institutional quality and safety initiatives and gain experience leading projects designed to improve patient care and operational performance.
As part of a major academic medical center, fellows are expected to engage in scholarly activity related to healthcare administration, operations, quality, and leadership. Faculty mentorship and institutional resources support presentation, publication, and research opportunities throughout the fellowship.
Career development is a foundational component of the fellowship. Fellows receive individualized mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship through the Department of Emergency Medicine, VCU Health, VCU School of Medicine, and the MSHA program. The fellowship is designed to prepare graduates for leadership careers in both academic and community healthcare settings.
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 Co-Director, Vice Chair of Quality & Safety
Ramana Feeser, MD
Administration Fellowship Co-Director, Vice Chair of Quality & Safety
Email: venkata.feeser@vcuhealth.org
Harinder Dhindsa, MD, MPH, MBA
Administration Fellowship Co-Director, Department Chair
Harinder Dhindsa, MD, MPH, MBA
Administration Fellowship Co-Director, Department Chair
Administration Fellowship Core Faculty
Taruna Aurora, MD
Enterprise Medical Director of Utilization Management and Physician Advisor Services, Clinical Decision Unit Co-Director
Taruna Aurora, MD
Enterprise Medical Director of Utilization Management and Physician Advisor Services, Clinical Decision Unit Co-Director
Email: taruna.aurora@vcuhealth.org
Moshe Feldman, PhD
Organizational Psychologist
Anne Jackson
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Angela B. Lindsay, DO FACEP
Medical Director, VCU New Kent Emergency Center
Angela B. Lindsay, DO FACEP
Medical Director, VCU New Kent Emergency Center
Email: angela.creditt@vcuhealth.org
Frank Petruzella, MD, MS
Interim Chief Medical Officer, CHoR
Jon Silverman, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Jon Silverman, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Pawan Suri, MD
Chief, Division of Observation Medicine
Michael Vasell
Administrator
Michael Vasell
Administrator
Michael J. Vitto, DO MS RDMS RDCS FACEP FAEMS
Chief of Operations
Michael J. Vitto, DO MS RDMS RDCS FACEP FAEMS
Chief of Operations
Email: michael.vitto@vcuhealth.org
Shannon Walsh, MD
Associate Chief of Operations
Fellows
Abigail Stanley, DO
First Year Fellow
How to Apply
Applications are accepted from July 1 through October 15, but may be considered outside this time frame under special circumstances.
Applicants must:
- Hold a medical degree.
- Complete an ACGME-accredited Emergency Medicine residency program before the start of fellowship.
- Be eligible for an unrestricted medical license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Be eligible for medical staff appointment, credentialing, CMS participation, and employment within VCU Health.
Application Process
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Feeser:
Ramana Feeser, MD
Venkata.Feeser@vcuhealth.org
Applicants should submit:
- Cover letter describing their interest in the Administration Fellowship.
- Current Curriculum Vitae.
- Three professional references, including names, titles, and email addresses.
- Personal statement describing career interests in healthcare administration, leadership, operations, quality, patient safety, or health system science (encouraged but not required).