This episode was originally recorded last summer during a previous fellowship cycle. While some timelines and processes may have changed, the insights shared remain valuable for students and early-career professionals exploring healthcare leadership pathways. Breaking into healthcare leadership doesn’t follow just one path—and administrative fellowships are only part of the picture. In this episode, Dr. Ginger Raya sits down with three emerging leaders—Sydney Tischler, Sofia Tovar, and Britney Gomes—to unpack the full range of early-career opportunities that can launch a career in healthcare operations and leadership. From internships and graduate practicums to administrative fellowships and first post-grad roles, the conversation explores how each of these experiences builds momentum in different ways. Sydney reflects on her journey from hands-on clinical and research roles to completing an Administrative Fellowship at Baylor Scott & White Health, and into her current work leading value-based care initiatives. She shares what helped her stand out, how she evaluated opportunities strategically, and what she learned once she was inside a large health system. Sofia and Britney bring perspectives from both sides of the pipeline—pre-fellowship and current fellowship—offering honest insight into preparation, skill-building, and navigating rejection, uncertainty, and non-linear career paths. Together, they discuss: How to choose between internships, residencies, fellowships, and consulting roles What hiring leaders actually look for in early-career candidates Why some candidates advance while others stall—and how to course-correct How to think about long-term career fit across hospitals, health systems, and industry This episode is a practical playbook for students, residents, and early-career professionals looking to break into healthcare leadership—no matter which entry point they pursue. 👤 Guest Highlights Sydney Tischler, MPH Program Manager, Value-Based Care Former Administrative Fellow, Baylor Scott & White Health 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneytischler/ BIO: Sydney Tischler currently works as a Program Manager at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, TX, where she collaborates on initiatives to increase access for the system's Medicare population. Sydney grew up outside of Dallas, TX, and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her undergraduate degree in public health. She developed a passion for healthcare and became involved in research, community service, and patient care. She found an interest in healthcare on a larger scale and decided to pursue an MPH in Healthcare Management at UTHealth Houston before completing an Administrative Fellowship at Baylor Scott & White Health in 2025. As an administrative fellow, she shadowed healthcare executives and worked on various projects at hospitals, clinics, joint ventures, and in other corporate departments. Through these rotations, she gained a better understanding of the healthcare landscape and developed an interest in finding ways to combine public health, clinical experience, and business ventures to provide excellent care to the community. Sofia Tovar, MPH Candidate UTHealth Houston School of Public Health 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-tovar/ Britney Gomes, MPH Administrative Fellow, Sutter Health 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britney-gomes-50b83/ BIO: Britney Gomes is a 2025–2026 Administrative Fellow at Sutter Health in Northern California, where she focuses on ambulatory operations. In her role, she partners with clinical and executive leaders to support initiatives that improve access, patient experience, quality, and operational performance across medical practice. Britney earned her Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2025 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Sociology from Baylor University. She is passionate about professional development and being a relationship driven leader, with a strong commitment to patient center care and cultivating engaged employee workspaces. 🎧 Podcast Credit Creator, Host, & Editor: Dr. Ginger Raya
