About Us
Meet Our Fellows
- Kenya Wright
-
Brooklyn, NY
Vanderbilt University, Bachelors degree in Medicine Health and Society
4th Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
As a job seeking senior, I knew that I wanted to work at the intersection of healthcare and business and I knew that I wanted to work in an environment that would encourage learning, exploration and accelerated development so when I learned about the Management Fellowship at Vanderbilt’s career fair I knew it was a natural fit. So far, I’ve gained much more than I could’ve ever imagined as a Management Fellow. The work is so rewarding and every day I feel like I can make a positive difference on my team, on the company and on the patients we serve.What have you worked on during your time here?
My first project in the fellowship was an initiative to design a process for offering referrals to patients who cannot treat at City of Hope. This project has allowed me to respond to a blue sky problem with a solution-oriented idea, think through the all of the operational requirements and push the idea from process flows outlined in a slide deck to a function that will be implemented. Along the way, I’ve received incredible mentorship from the second and third year fellows on the team.
As a second year fellow, I’m currently serving in a project management capacity on a initiative to eliminate approximately 60 million dollars of spend across the enterprise. I’m also supporting other initiatives to evaluate ways we can further the understanding of patient treatments and outcomes in the oncology industry by leveraging our robust data sets and an initiative to design a lower cost care delivery model for our clinics.What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
If time and money weren’t an issue I’d love to travel the world and be a luxury resort reviewer. I don’t know if that counts as a hobby but it would definitely be fun! - Katie Hirthler
-
Bucks County, PA
Villanova University, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Mathematics & Business
4th Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
I first found out about the fellowship while preparing for a career fair last fall. When I started looking for jobs my senior year, I knew I wanted to be in a very collaborative, team centric environment. I also knew I wanted to be working on quick turn-around projects that would have an immediate impact on the company. So, even though it didn’t necessarily line up with my engineering background, I knew this position would be right for me and I would be able to use my engineering-based problem solving skills in different applications.What have you worked on during your time here?
As a first-year fellow, my main project was building a daily report to be sent to hospital leadership in order to inform decisions that need to be made every day. For this project, I had to work to gather the information and metrics that should be included and then work to put them all together in a digestible report. Currently, as a second year, I am working with a first year to build out a program to help our patients share their positive City of Hope experiences with other potential patients. This way, potential patients can learn more about what it's like to treat at City of Hope, and they can feel supported as they start their cancer treatment journey.What weird food combination do you really enjoy?
Chicken and applesauce! - Adam Crittenden
-
Northville, MI
Northwestern University, Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Asian Studies University
4th Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
I’m originally from Metro Detroit, and I attended Northwestern University, where I studied Neuroscience and Asian Studies. During my summers, I interned at a healthcare tech start-up focused on streamlining genetic test ordering in oncology practices and a hospital system in Michigan, where I worked in data analytics. Post-graduation, I wanted to further hone my leadership and technical capabilities, while gaining a greater understanding of the shifting trends in contemporary American healthcare. The Management Fellowship provided an excellent opportunity to pursue these interests through rotational project- based work. In the long-term, I envision myself working at the intersection of medicine, tech, and public policy.What have you worked on during your time here?
Since joining City of Hope, I’ve worked on several projects across operations, analytics, and strategy. I’ve provided the financial and operational reporting for the doubling of City of Hope’s physician relations team, spearheaded an automated appointment campaign, and led the integration of City of Hope’s new online risk assessment tool with the system’s clinical screening operations. Currently, I’m working with City of Hope’s Enterprise Analytics team on the implementation of an enterprise-wide analytics governance program.How do you spend your free time?
Beyond work, I enjoy scuba diving, hiking, skiing, and traveling. My most recent adventures include trips to France, Spain, and the mountains of North Carolina, and I’m looking forward to upcoming dive trips in the Florida Keys and Mexico. - Akhil Shanishetti
-
Hyderabad, India
Northwestern University, Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering; Managerial Analytics Certificate
3rd Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
My initial goal during college was to apply my engineering background to address inefficiencies within the pharmaceutical industry. While my coursework enabled me to use data to tackle problems, I sought to apply similar skills in a team-oriented setting, which led me to joining a few student consulting organizations. Through these groups, I was exposed to 4 unique healthcare strategy projects that exposed me to the healthcare field and made me realize that I enjoy solving high-impact problems through a business lens. On campus, I also greatly enjoyed mentoring new students as a peer adviser and spearheading professional development opportunities for my peers through the chemical engineering society.
It was these experiences and my desire to be immersed in a mission-driven organization that compelled me to pursue the Management Fellowship. Through speaking with the Fellows, I was confident that I’d be challenged by a highly accelerated program that would broaden my horizons and empower me to have a tangible societal impact, all while being surrounded by incredible individuals invested in my success.What have you worked on during your time here?
My first project was a one-month sprint with the other first-year Fellows in which we explored new products and services that City of Hope could implement to bolster our care delivery to cancer patients nationwide. Recommending a business case for our respective verticals to executives was a great opportunity to align with enterprise priorities early-on and develop fundamental problem-solving skills.
The next project in my rotation entailed working with City of Hope’s Community Engagement and Outreach Team (CEOT) with Katie Hirthler, a second-year Fellow. CEOT is a group that has found success with producing patient referrals by nurturing relationships with diverse City of Hope affiliated and external stakeholders. Our objectives included improving CEOT’s internal tracking and operations, identifying robust patient referral pipelines, and formulating an expansion strategy that scaled and prioritized the group’s initiatives.If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
Without a doubt, I would opt for Morgan Freeman. During high school, I was fascinated by his show, Through the Wormhole. His narration style and iconic velvety smooth voice would take fascinating topics such as time travel, existence of parallel universes, life after death, and many more, to a whole new dimension. - Michael Riley
-
Philadelphia, PA
Vanderbilt University, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics; minor in Corporate Strategy
3rd Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
My goal for my first stage of my career was to enhance my strong points and, most importantly, strengthen my weak spots. As a Computer Science major at Vanderbilt, my professional and academic work taught me how to solve technical problems more complex than I ever imagined I could tackle. However, when I came across City of Hope's Management Fellowship, I realized that a challenging, fast-paced program in business was the perfect next step on my journey towards well-rounded excellence. I am continually grateful that I have taken that step with an organization with a people-driven mission and along with such a talented team.What have you worked on during your time here?
In the first month at City of Hope, I worked with the first-years in the prevention and wellness products space. My focus was in screening products and completed research and calculations to determine market size, players in the space, and potential financials for City of Hope. Afterwards, I transitioned to my current work in pharmacy analytics. I collaborate with the data analytics team and the clinical pharmacy team to discern if City of Hope is prescribing financially detrimental drugs instead of clinically equal yet financially preferable ones.Would you rather have unlimited tacos or unlimited sushi for life?
Trick question! The objectively correct answer is unlimited Chipotle bowls (with the tortilla on the side) - Sydney Wasserman
-
Milwaukee, WI
Vanderbilt University, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human & Organizational Development with a minor in Spanish
3rd Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
At Vanderbilt, I chose to study both Psychology and HOD out of a love and fascination with people: how we function, how we interact within organizations, and what we need to be the happiest and healthiest selves that we can be. When I started my job search, I knew that I wanted to continue engaging in the team-based problem-solving work that my coursework entailed, but I wanted to be creating solutions for an organization that is mission driven and purpose oriented, so that my work would improve quality of life for those it touched. More than anything though, I sought a role through which I could learn and grow across the board, both in knowledge and skills, while still playing an active role within and making an impact on the organization. Simply put, the fellowship program checked all of my boxes – a fast paced, growth-oriented program at the crux of health care and business at an organization that is a force for good.What have you worked on during your time here?
Since starting my first year, I have primarily worked within the products space, examining opportunities for City of Hope to expand beyond its brick and mortar hospitals, and serve individuals across the cancer care continuum that we cannot directly treat in these facilities. My team has been analyzing and operationalizing offering within both genetics and nutrition. This work has provided a fantastic chance to engage in the problem solving process from start to finish – I have had the ability to brainstorm and select product offerings that would best meet organizational need and criteria, think through and produce operational models for these offerings, and work with organization leaders to see these products through to pilot implementation. It has been phenomenal to be both supported and challenged each day, and to produce work that adds value to the organization, its leaders, and the cancer patient population.How do you spend your free time?
Outside of work, I love being active and outdoors, really in any way possible. I love hiking, biking, running, and weekly beach volleyball games with the fellows. I also enjoy baking and bringing my cookies/bars/breads to the office to share! - Alex Yom
-
Carmel, IN
University of Notre Dame, Bachelor’s degree in Political Science
2nd Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
As someone who wanted to gain experience in different business areas and build a diverse set of skills after college, the Management Fellowship’s design of rotating you a variety of projects throughout the enterprise was perfect for me. The fellowship allows you to continue on your path of career discovery while having the responsibilities and benefits of a full-time job. The amount of value and resources City of Hope puts into the program is also a big plus as fellows are promoted to managerial levels after the two-year program.What have you worked on during your time here?
As a first year fellow, I am currently staffed on my first rotation where I am working to build out data visualizations for our physician referrals and employer relations teams. Although I did not have much experience with data analysis prior to the fellowship, this rotation has allowed me to build my analytical skills and obtain technical expertise in SQL and Tableau.What weird food combination do you really enjoy?
I have gotten a wide range of feedback on whether or not this is normal but - Ketchup, Mayo, and Mustard to dip my fries in - Neha Gandra
-
Northville, MI
Vanderbilt University, Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with a minor in English, Women's and Gender Studies
2nd Year Fellow
What brought you to the Management Fellowship?
Upon graduating from Vanderbilt University, I knew I wanted to explore the healthcare industry, improve upon my presentation & data analysis skills, and work in a collaborative environment. Throughout the application/interview process, it became clear that the Management Fellowship would offer me all these opportunities. Moreover, I was attracted to the program’s emphasis on feedback, accelerated development, and rotational organization.What have you worked on during your time here?
As a first year fellow, I am currently working on two projects. Within corporate pharmacy, I am helping to innovate and operationalize expansion opportunities. This project has involved market research, product design, and financial modeling. My other project involves exploring opportunities to expand the mother standard of care to other sites. I am working primarily as a deputy project manager, helping to coordinate and communicate with a variety of teams. On the side, I am also researching diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the healthcare industry, to support some enterprise-wide initiatives.What weird food combination do you really enjoy?
Fries & honey! - Nathalie Zhou
-
Hangzhou, China
Wake Forest University, Bachelor’s degree in Mathematical-Business with minors in Psychology and Statistics
2nd Year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
Two major things, first being the nature of the job. Fellowship is in a fast-paced work environment where it encourages Fellows to take initiatives and it gives room for autonomy, which works out great with what I was looking for and it fits my personality. On top of that, Fellows can drive real-life impact when implementing solutions and strategies not just proposing hypothetical ideas, so the ability to drive results and organizational change is extremely rewarding. I can also gain exposure to a wild range of business functions and company executives, which presents tremendous amount of growth opportunities both professionally and personally. Second being the tight-knitted Fellowship culture, where I can be surrounded by hard-working, driven, and like-minded coworkers. Moreover, fellowship encourages open and honest feedback, and it fosters individual growth by Fellows helping each other and progressing togetherWhat have you worked on during your time here?
I have worked on Growth Strategy with the international team where we generate Remote Second Opinions, Data Analytics to empower side-wide initiatives by automating dashboards using Tableau and SQL, National Hospital Partnership and Rural Affiliate Partnership Strategies to diversify and broaden enterprise revenue streams, Corporate Strategy in Talent to increase employee engagement and provide career development opportunities, and Clinical Program in Health Equity to develop actionable care options for individuals who are uninsured or who are not currently insurance compatible with City of Hope.If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
A really good salesman who can make me feel better about my life. - Chloe Xu
-
Shanghai, China
New York University – Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Bachelor’s degree in Econometrics with a Political Economy track
1st year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
I discovered my interest in strategy and operations in junior year at college. In senior year, I came across the Management Fellowship at City of Hope on NYU’s Handshake, and healthcare seemed not only to be a high-growth industry but also incredibly rewarding from a career standpoint. Based on the job description and conversations with fellows, I was drawn to three facts about this program: 1) rotational strategic projects, 2) exposure to the management, and 3) NICE PEOPLE. I am a person who can only thrive in a supportive and positive environment, and the multiple rounds of interviews allowed me to get to know fellows and executives at City of Hope on both professional and personal levels.What have you worked on during your time here?
I have had the pleasure working on multiple projects since I joined City of Hope. That is the charm about the program: you can take initiative and seek/create projects to work on. The projects include the First Year Fellows sprint (business & development for City of Hope's National Affiliate Program), new patient acquisition (appointment conversion at Chicago branch), international expansion (remote second opinion program in Greater China), and business intelligence (data mapping and strategic reformation of information systems).What hobby would you get into if time/money weren't an issue?
Farming or gardening! - Sonia Kim
-
Anaheim, California
Vanderbilt University, Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Economics
1st year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
A healthcare policy course taught me that my role as an aspiring physician isn’t only to engage with patients, but also to understand the business requirements in working with a hospital system. So, I was drawn to the Management Fellowship because it provided a desirable breadth of opportunity to learn about many aspects of healthcare, ultimately empowering me to become a more well-rounded leader in the healthcare industry. Beyond the areas of exposure that the fellowship would grant me, I was even more drawn to its culture. Throughout the interview process, I could sense how supportive and tightly knit the Fellows were. I knew that I wanted to be a part of this environment that would make my entry into the professional workforce less stressful, the learning curve more enjoyable, and my work be something that I look forward to every morning!What have you worked on during your time here?
I’ve worked in areas of strategy and business development (creating a prioritization matrix for City of Hope's Affiliate Program to find potential hospital partners and increase access to oncology care), internal talent development (developing Fellowship development sessions for personal and career acceleration), provider talent and administration (leading a 6-session healthcare business educational curriculum for City of Hope providers), and hospital operations and cancer prevention (standing up a screening program at the Chicago hospital for caregivers and high-risk populations).What food would you prefer to have unlimited quantities of for life?
Chips and guac, with lots of cilantro (more cilantro than you’re thinking of right now) - Abhishri Tainwala
-
Mumbai, India
Northwestern University, Bachelor’s degree in Economics, with a minor in History and a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications
1st year Fellow
Learn moreWhat brought you to the Management Fellowship?
While studying Economics at Northwestern, I realized that there was no industry that I gravitated towards specifically. My extra-curricular involvements and internships helped me realize that what truly excited me was solving business problems for organizations that had purpose-driven missions. When I learned about the Management Fellowship at City of Hope, I was convinced that it would be the right place to nurture my passion.Apart from the core values of the firm, what excited me most was the cohort-based, rotational structure of the program. I would immerse myself in an accelerated learning environment by switching to a new business faction every few months and would be continuously supported by multiple generations of Fellows while doing so.
What have you worked on during your time here?
After completing onboarding, I worked along with all the first year Fellows on crafting a go-to-market strategy for partnerships with rural hospitals and clinics that are unable to provide comprehensive oncology care to their local patient populations. Working in a 7-person team on a short, fast paced project for a high-priority enterprise initiative exposed to the fundamentals of analytical problem solving and challenged me to adopt both structure and creativity while designing effective solutions. Since then, I have been working with the Product team to analyze the current state of a patient’s financial journey at City of Hope and recommend solutions that would alleviate key pain points and improve a patient’s experience receiving care. I have been deeply fascinated by the impact from adoption of digital solutions in the healthcare industry and hope to keep working on projects that allow me to make any tangible difference to a patient’s care experience.What food would you prefer to have unlimited quantities of for life?
Bread, cheese and red wine - Rhea Desouza
-
Mumbai, India
University of Notre Dame, Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Anthropology
1st year Fellow
Learn moreWhat have you worked on during your time here?
I have been largely involved in two project areas. Firstly, I worked in a team of seven in the arena of business development to develop an algorithm that can automatically prioritize prospective hospital partners. In addition, I have created customized City of Hope product and service offerings to best address the unique needs of each potential partner. Secondly, I have been leading a marketing and outreach strategy development initiative for our existing hospital affiliates. Working with several teams across the enterprise, performing patient empathy interviews, and analyzing medical referral patterns, I have generated a detailed marketing outreach plan for CY2022 to drive maximal patient conversion.What is a fun fact about you?
I have studied in 5(ish) countries.