WVU graduate named first administrative fellow for Mon Health System
With a passion for healthcare and a desire to improve health equity across the state, West Virginia University School of Public Health alumna Anna Sellaro has been appointed as the inaugural administrative fellow for Mon Health System.
Sellaro, of Morgantown, is a May 2024 graduate of the Master of Health Administration program and began the fellowship program in July.
She says she is honored to be selected as the health system’s first administrative fellow and enthusiastic about pioneering the new role.
“This opportunity represents a pivotal moment in my career journey, one that I am both excited and prepared to embark upon. This experience offers me a unique chance to immerse myself in the intricacies of healthcare administration that will undoubtedly deepen my understanding of the industry and equip me with practical skills that are essential for advancing into leadership roles.”
The one-year appointment will provide Sellaro with opportunities to learn from senior executives through rotations and project-based work in various areas of the organization including hospital operations, continuous improvement, strategic planning, financial management, patient safety, information technology, regulatory compliance, physician partnership, insurance/payer relations and rural healthcare management. Her final experience is an executive-level capstone project encapsulating the skills and insights she gained throughout the program.
“Mentorship plays a crucial role in my career development plan,” she said. “Establishing these relationships will not only provide me with invaluable perspectives but also help me refine my career goals based on real-world experience and expertise.
“The connections with professionals both within and outside Mon Health System will not only expand my professional network but also expose me to different perspectives and innovative practices within the healthcare industry.”
The administrative fellowship program isn’t Sellaro’s first learning experience with Mon Health System. Throughout her graduate studies, she served as an intern in the human resources department and completed a capstone project during her final semester.
“The MHA program challenged me in many different ways. It's taught me to look at health from a bigger perspective than just one person,” she said. “The added advantage of being able to complete a hands-on internship and capstone project before we graduate helps us get a firsthand look at the different paths we can take after graduating. I will be able to take these experiences and apply them to my future career.”
While Sellaro knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, it wasn’t until her sophomore year that she found her fit in public health.
“I chose the field of public health at WVU after many attempts to find where I would belong in different majors my freshman year. I wanted to help people in medicine, but I saw that it wasn't for me. Being a student in public health, you are still on the frontlines helping people – just in a different way.
“That following fall semester, I was fully enrolled, and I knew immediately this was the field I wanted to be in for my future career. It all just clicked, and I knew the material I was learning was a perfect fit for me.”
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in health services management and leadership from the WVU School of Public Health in May 2022, Sellaro chose to complete a master’s degree to help her achieve her goal to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes on a broad scale.
“I am committed to exploring various facets of the field to discover where I can best contribute,” she said. “Having grown up in West Virginia, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by rural and underserved communities in accessing quality healthcare services. My goal is to contribute to initiatives that address these disparities, ensuring that all residents, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status, have equitable access to essential healthcare services.”
Expanding on her education, Sellaro plans to utilize the opportunities provided to her through the fellowship to explore different avenues within healthcare administration to discover where she can make sustainable improvements in care access and outcomes throughout the state.
“My decision to pursue an MHA after completing my undergraduate degree stemmed from a genuine passion for healthcare and a desire to acquire the specialized knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in healthcare administration. Choosing WVU ensures a well-rounded and enriching educational experience that prepares students for future success in their careers and beyond.”
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jw/8/5/24
MEDIA CONTACT: Lindsay Wiles
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Public Health