Description

CAHME and Joint Commission are united by a shared belief: that strong healthcare leadership is essential to advancing quality, safety, and healthier communities. Together, they award a one-year fellowship to a graduating student from a CAHME-accredited program who demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. While Joint Commission is headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, this fellowship is based onsite at its Washington, DC office, offering the fellow a unique opportunity to engage with healthcare quality, policy, and leadership work in the nation’s capital. Candidate must be able to work onsite at the Washington, DC office with a hybrid model. It is a full-time, exempt position with a $65,000 internship stipend (plus benefits).

Fellowship Activities and Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Executive Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations, as well as leaders and subject matter experts across the organization, to gain a comprehensive, immersive experience in healthcare quality, accreditation, policy, and leadership.
• Engage with federal and state healthcare policy initiatives by analyzing legislative and regulatory issues, supporting advocacy efforts, and gaining insight into how public policy influences healthcare quality, patient safety, and accreditation.
• Develop an understanding of healthcare delivery systems, organizational leadership, operational excellence, and performance improvement. Fellows gain exposure to the operational challenges and strategic decision-making processes within healthcare organizations.
• Contribute to the research, evaluation, and refinement of accreditation standards that support safe, effective, and high-quality patient care. Fellows gain insight into the evidence-based processes used to develop nationally recognized healthcare standards.
• Strengthen written, verbal, and executive communication skills through presentations, stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional writing. Fellows learn to communicate complex healthcare issues effectively to diverse audiences.
• Explore global healthcare systems, accreditation models, and international quality initiatives. Fellows engage with international partners to understand best practices and emerging trends in healthcare quality and patient safety worldwide.
• Examine the intersection of environmental sustainability, healthcare operations, and organizational resilience. Fellows explore strategies that promote environmentally responsible practices while maintaining high standards of patient care and operational effectiveness.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of Joint Commission’s mission, accreditation process, and role in advancing healthcare quality and patient safety. Fellows learn how accreditation supports continuous performance improvement across healthcare settings.
• Understand the components of Joint Commission accreditation surveys and certification reviews; observe one accreditation survey and one certification review.
• Support the growth and visibility of the CAHME/Joint Commission Fellowship in Healthcare Quality Leadership by contributing to outreach efforts, stakeholder engagement, and program development initiatives.

Requirements

Requirements:

• Student in a CAHME Accredited Program.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• Second year graduate in a health administration or related field graduate program, who will graduate by June 2027 prior to the fellowship start date, July 1, 2027.

Checklist: 
Interested students in CAHME Accredited programs review fellowship requirements and activities. Students apply online and submit the following:

• Resume
• Nomination Essay Responses (4 questions)
• Program Director Letter of Recommendation. (While the program director is preferred, other faculty may submit the letter with the approval of the program director.) 
• Professional Letter of Recommendation
• Transcript

Online application must be submitted by Friday, October 16, 2026. Apply for fellowship here.