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Charles D. Stokes Administrative Fellowship Program

Your pathway to executive leadership should include the chance to influence real innovation that changes lives while growing and developing your individual skills. Explore this opportunity to apply graduate study principals in a fully integrated, dynamic health system. Read on to learn more about the advantages of an administrative fellowship with us.

About the Fellowship Opportunity

The Charles D. Stokes Administrative Fellowship Program at Memorial Hermann Health System offers future health care leaders an opportunity to explore the facets of a fully integrated health system focused on delivering value-based care to our community through high-quality patient care and increased access to care. The fellowship position is a hybrid rotational-based program that includes opportunities for project leadership. Individuals will rotate and work in various parts of the organization including Community and Academic Acute Care, Rehabilitation, Ambulatory, Health Plan, Physician Organization and Corporate support departments. 

The fellowship is a one-year, full-time salaried position with benefits. Throughout your rotations, projects will be assigned to you, providing access to executive level leadership throughout the organization.

About Charles D. Stokes

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Charles D. Stokes (December 30, 1953 – July 23, 2024) was a highly respected health care leader whose 50-year career began as a critical care nurse and evolved into executive leadership across the Southeast. He served in various leadership roles in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, culminating his career as CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System in 2019, after many years as COO. A passionate advocate for mentoring and talent development, Chuck Stokes served as a preceptor for the Memorial Hermann Administrative Fellowship from 2013 to 2018 and played a pivotal role in shaping future health care leaders. He also held influential positions such as Chairman of American College of Healthcare Executives (2018-2019) and interim chair and Executive-in-Residence at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Healthcare Administration. His legacy of leadership, mentorship, and excellence continues to inspire the next generation of health care professionals.

About Our Preceptor

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Erin Asprec

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
The preceptor for the administrative fellowship is Erin Asprec, EVP and COO of the Memorial Hermann Health System. Erin joined the Memorial Hermann Health System in 2002, working as the Director of Business Development, followed by the Liaison to then President and CEO Dan Wolterman. For more than 15 years, Asprec has held integral roles within the Memorial Hermann Health System, including key leadership positions — most recently as Chief of Acute Care Services and Chief Transformation Officer, guiding the strategic, operational and financial management of Memorial Hermann's extensive network of care delivery sites. In January 2020, she was appointed as the system's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President and leads the organization's operations, service lines, clinical transformation and consumer experience, providing executive oversight to all 17* Memorial Hermann hospitals and hundreds of outpatient clinics. Erin has been recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston's "Women Who Mean Business" and selected among the "Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas" by the National Diversity Council. She is a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Texas Hospital Association and has served on several health care and community boards. She holds a master's degree in health hare administration from St. Louis University.

Our Fellowship Structure and Rotations

Our administrative fellowship allows you to apply graduate study principals in a fully integrated, dynamic health system. Our hybrid rotational-based program includes opportunities for project leadership as you rotate and work in various parts of the organization.

Quarterly Rotations:

  • 3 months:  Texas Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center)
  • 3 months:  Corporate
  • 3 months:  Community Hospitals
  • 3 months:  Ambulatory & Service Lines

Past Fellows Area of Project Involvement:

  • HEAL High School Bloomberg Grant
  • ED Leadership Rounding System Strategy
  • EPIC Implementation
  • Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital East Tower Expansion Project
  • Hospitalist Scorecard for System
  • Bed Logistics Department at Memorial Hermann-TMC
  • Memorial Hermann-TMC Master Facility Business Plan
  • Joint Commission Preparedness Efforts
  • Home Health Profitability Plan
  • COVID-19 Response Efforts


Who Should Apply?

Early career professionals pursuing a master’s degree in health care administration, public health, business administration or related disciplines by the program start date.
  • Program Start Date:  June 2026
  • Program Length:  One year

How to Apply

Please email your complete application packet as a combined pdf to adminfellowship@memorialhermann.org 
Packet should include the following:
  • 500 word personal statement on why you're interested in the Memorial Hermann Fellowship
  • 500 word essay on "What is a major disrupter facing health care currently?"
  • Current resume
  • Three letters of recommendation (can be sent directly from recommender or included in applicant submission)
  • Current transcript


Application & Selection Process Timeline

Information session webinars to be held 12 - 1 p.m. CST on:
  • April 25, 2025 - register here.
  • June 20, 2025 - register here. 
  • July 16, 2025 - register here.
  • August 15, 2025 - register here.
Application opens:  May 31, 2025
Application closes:  August 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Start date:  June 2026

For questions or more information about the program, email adminfellowship@memorialhermann.org

What Past Fellows Are Saying About Our Progam
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Gabriella Lopez

2021 Administrative Fellow
Manager of Operations, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
Why Memorial Hermann?
"For me it was important to start my career at an organization that would allow a certain level of autonomy to explore. With direction from my preceptor at the Memorial Hermann-TMC campus, I was able to fully immerse myself in the academic medical center setting, and I was able to tailor the second half of my year-long fellowship to include rotations at community hospitals and other system services departments."

Key Projects:
  • System Clinical Education Optimization Core Team Member
  • Business Case for Tele-Sitters
  • Development of the Bed Logistics Department at Memorial Hermann-TMC

​​​​​​​Learning Opportunities:
"With the right combination of smart and passionate people, stream-lined communication and a can-do attitude, teams flourish. This fellowship is an incredible opportunity to see first-hand the amount of work that goes into being a trusted source of care for the Greater Houston community."
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Justin Glenney

2020 Administrative Fellow
Director of Hospital Operations, Memorial Hermann | Rockets Orthopedic Hospital
Why Memorial Hermann?
"I was drawn to Memorial Hermann because I wanted an opportunity to learn and grow in a fully integrated academic medical center that also is home to one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the nation. Memorial Hermann eats culture for breakfast. I wanted to be part of an organization that had a culture of execution and support, and that's exactly what I've found here."

Key Projects:
  • FANS Transition from Sodexo to Morrison Healthcare at Memorial Hermann-TMC
  • Employee Morale Committee Member at Memorial Hermann-TMC
  • COVID-19 Special Projects

Learning Opportunities:
"Participating in the Memorial Hermann Administrative Fellowship Program, you'll work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while learning operations, strategy an finance among other things, from some of the top health care thought and operations leaders in the nation. This program provides experience within a health system that covers the full range of medical care from primary care to surgical and post-acute care to palliative care. Additionally, a medical group, insurance plan, and community benefits organization are part of the Memorial Hermann Health System that could provide key learning opportunities."
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Kate Willis

2014 Administrative Fellow
VP Hospital Operations, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
Why Memorial Hermann?
"I chose Memorial Hermann because of the intentional focus on quality care and patient safety. The fellowship offered unparalleled opportunities to see multiple facets of a large health system from frontline workers to corporate executive functions. I also had the opportunity to build many relationships throughout the organization as a fellow. The relationships and experiences gained through the fellowship have been key in my development as a health care leader. I will always be grateful for the leadership and opportunities provided by this experience."

Key Projects:
  • Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital expansion
  • Physician Recruitment Process
  • Hospitalist Executive Scorecard Creation

Learning Opportunities:
"I built many relationships through the organization as a fellow. I learned that relationships are crucial to anyone's success in health care. Knowing who to connect with, building a strong foundation and gaining trust is key in executing goals."
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Jason Glover

2013 Administrative Fellow
Senior Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Hermann-TMC Adult Services
Why Memorial Hermann?
"Our values of caring for the community and being a leader in High Reliability Health Care, and Memorial Hermann's integrated network across the continuum of care allows fellows to explore a wide range of opportunities and services within health care."

Key Projects:
  • Developed a hospital scorecard that allowed the system Chief Operating Officer to quickly understand our performance on key performance indicators
  • Academic Partner Affiliate Agreement Committee

Learning Opportunities:
"The Memorial Hermann Administrative Fellowship Program is a life changing experience that provides exposure to a wide array of experiences in the health care ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to learn leadership skills, work on impactful projects and engage in areas that interest you. The fellowship was one of my greatest development opportunities, and has been a springboard for my career. It is rare to have the access and experience that Memorial Hermann offers through the Administrative Fellowship Program."
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Sonya Sharfaei

2024 Administrative Fellow
Service Lines Project Manager
Why Memorial Hermann?
“I chose Memorial Hermann because of the organization’s reputation as a health system deeply committed to improving the health in the Houston community.”

Key Projects:
  • OP Endocrinology Growth Project
  • Post-Discharge Follow-up Clinic Analysis
  • Telemetry Replacement Plan 

Learning Opportunities:
The fellowship structure offers a variety of learning opportunities such as: 
  • Executive mentorship – fellows have the unique opportunity to rotate and work alongside senior leadership.
  • Professional development – fellows have the opportunity to attend a leadership conference of their choice during the fellowship, enhancing their professional growth while also engaging in networking opportunities with Memorial Hermann leaders.    
  • Project-Based Learning – fellows have the opportunity to lead and contribute to meaningful projects, gaining hands-on experience that enhances their learning and professional development. 
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Dazha Hawkins

2023 Administrative Fellow
Project Manager, Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital
Why Memorial Hermann?
“Memorial Hermann provided me with the opportunity to explore my interests and strengths at a time when I was still defining my career path. From the very beginning, I felt a genuine investment in my growth and development. The organization’s deep commitment to both its communities and employees sets it apart – it fosters an environment where everyone is supported and encouraged to thrive. Memorial Hermann’s dedication to continuous improvement and innovation made it the perfect place for me to grow as a leader.”

Key Projects:
  • Development of the Greater Heights Unit-Specific Hospital Surge Plan to enhance capacity management and emergency preparedness.
  • Buildout of the Southwest Community Health Strategy, focusing on expanding access to care and strengthening community partnerships.
  • Epic Device Deployment, ensuring digital readiness and effective implementation across the system.

Learning Opportunities:
As an Administrative Fellow at Memorial Hermann, I have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in hospital operations, strategic planning, and health care administration within one of the largest health systems in Texas. The fellowship provides exposure to senior leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and high-impact projects that drive organizational success. Key learning areas include: 
  • Executive Leadership Development
  • Hospital Operations
  • Strategic Planning & Implementation
  • Community Health & Partnerships
  • Innovation & Process Improvement  
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Alexander McCullough

2023 Administrative Fellow
Manager of Operations, Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital
Why Memorial Hermann?
"When selecting a fellowship, it was important to me to start my career at an organization that values the community it serves and develops its leaders to be operationally proficient in their roles. As a Texas native, I have long been aware of the impact Memorial Hermann has on the Houston Community. Memorial Hermann’s reputation of providing innovative and quality care drew me towards this organization. After speaking with leaders and their teams, their passion inspired me to join in their mission to serve Houston as a highly reliable organization. The fellowship offered endless opportunities to build relationships with experienced leaders and set the foundation of an impactful career."

Key Projects:
  • HEAL High School program development & Bloomberg Grant Proposal
  • Sugar Land Emergency Department Throughput & Patient Experience
  • TMC OR Efficiency – Room Turnover Time​​​​​​

Learning Opportunities:
This fellowship provides the perfect environment for personal and professional development. It is intentionally structured to force Fellows out of their comfort zones while giving them the autonomy to focus on their specific areas of interest. Perhaps the most important lesson to be learned is “Systems Thinking.” Fellows will observe and participate in processes at every level of the organization, which will teach them how each process serves a purpose in the larger ecosystem of the organization."
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