This project-based fellowship offers the unique opportunity to participate in key projects that support Vizient's Member Networks, Performance Improvement, and Education and Learning strategic plan.
The Performance Improvement Fellowship role
Fellows will engage with senior-level executives, cross-functional teams and Vizient member health care organizations to assist in enhancing current performance improvement programs and develop new products to better serve our member's needs. Performance Improvement Fellows will develop knowledge, skills and practical experience related to quality, safety and operational improvement, program management and strategic execution.
Performance Improvement Fellows will finish the program with:
- A comprehensive understanding of evidence-based strategies and performance improvement methodologies that drive excellence in health care organizations
- A more expansive view of the specific challenges and solutions clinical and operational executives from health care systems of all sizes value
- A growing sense of expertise regarding today’s most pressing health care issues and the necessary tools to address them
Learn more
Program location: Chicago
Duration: 1 year
Number of positions: 2
Qualifications
- Master's Degree in a related field (including MHA*, MBA with a healthcare concentration, MPH, etc.)
- Completed an internship within a medical setting
- Strong quantitative and project management skills with familiarity in performance improvement methodology
- Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational skills
- Strong communication, interpersonal and writing skills, and professional presence with the ability to develop positive and professional relationships with cross-functional teams across all levels of the organization
- Proficient in Microsoft suite of products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as Outlook
*CAHME accreditation highly desired
Application requirements
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A one-page personal statement (indicating interest in healthcare performance improvement)
The application period for 2024-2025 fellowship cycle is now closed.
Preceptor
Julie Cerese, PHD, RN, MSN
Group Senior Vice President, Networks and Performance Improvement
Julie Cerese leads the member connections experience including networking, performance improvement benchmarking and collaborative and member training and education. In this role, she works with colleagues to support members to achieve their quality, safety, cost and market performance goals. Having begun her career in nursing, Cerese has focused on clinical quality and performance improvement. She has conducted studies on the unique factors that differentiate top performers and has supported nursing and physician leaders to achieve their goals. Cerese has a keen interest in interprofessional education and collaboration.
Mentor
Laural Whitmore, MSE, BSE
Vice President, Improvement Collaboratives
Laural leads Vizient’s Performance Improvement Collaboratives program which provides members a topic-based, collaborative framework for improvement, leveraging data and analytics to measure and sustain performance. Prior to joining Vizient, Laural was a health care consultant working with hospital clients on operational performance improvement. In past roles, Laural led regional performance improvement, contracting and member networks in New England and managed clinical program development. Laural holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering, both from the University of Michigan.
Mentor
Amber Hanser, MHA, CPHQ
Senior Director, Performance Improvement Collaboratives
Amber Hanser is a Senior PI Program Director in Vizient’s Performance Management Collaborative team. She’s been with Vizient for 8 years and previously worked in Vizient’s Center for Advanced Analytics. Amber is responsible for managing and delivering national performance improvement projects and publishing evidence based best practices and action strategies to help more than 1,200 member organizations. Amber graduated from University of Missouri with a Master of Health Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics. She is also a certified healthcare quality professional (CPHQ) through NAHQ.