The healthcare industry is increasingly focused on cultivating the next generation of leaders.
Vrushangi Shah, adolescent and young adult program manager at UCLA Health Cancer Services, connected with Becker's in a recent podcast episode to discuss strategies that leading health systems are employing to build robust talent pipelines and nurture early careerists in the field.
Ms. Shah began her academic career at St. Louis University, where she was the founder and president of the healthcare management organization for undergrads. From there, she pursued a master’s degree in health administration at the University of Southern California, a program known for its rigorous 1,000-hour residency requirement. This program provided her with invaluable hands-on experience, which she described as instrumental in her career development.
The residency equipped her with critical skills and jump-started her career at UCLA Health, where she completed an administrative fellowship focused on hospital operations before assuming her current role.
Transitioning from a student to a professional was shaped by a series of opportunities that allowed her to apply her academic knowledge in real-world settings. This approach is one that leading health systems are increasingly adopting to build and sustain their talent pipelines, Ms. Shah said.
She emphasized the importance of health systems establishing strong connections with local schools and graduate programs. Programs like USC's, which require students to complete significant real-world experience, often lead to full-time roles within the organizations where students complete their residencies or internships, Ms. Shah said.
This model allows students to gain critical experience and the chance to secure employment post-graduation, while providing organizations with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from early careerists. Ms. Shah gave the example of UCLA Health's summer internship program that attracts top talent from across the country.
"To see these leaders develop over the summer and oftentimes come back and interview for our fellowship or come back and show an interest in UCLA health really shows that the time, the energy and the investment that we've put in these careerists, it's beneficial to them," Ms. Shah said.
However, building a talent pipeline is only part of the equation, and challenges and opportunities lie in how organizations develop and nurture early careerists. Emerging leaders are hungry for knowledge and eager to contribute, but they need support and guidance from their organizations to truly thrive, Ms. Shah said.
Creating an environment where early careerists feel safe to make mistakes and seek help requires a commitment from the organization to invest in the growth and development of these individuals, Ms. Shah said. She recalled her own experiences with mentors who provided her with challenging projects while also ensuring she had the support needed to succeed.
"They didn’t let me drown," Ms. Shah said. "They knew when to reach out and help me and identify my skills, but then also have honest conversations with me."
Ms. Shah also highlighted the importance of having a mentorship pipeline within the organization. Identifying leaders who are not only skilled in their fields but also committed to teaching and developing others is key to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
"Finding a leader who is going to say your name, especially in rooms where you are not present, is such a big gift," Ms. Shah said.
As healthcare systems look to the future, Ms. Shah said one of the greatest opportunities is for organizations to actively seek out leaders who are passionate about teaching and mentoring. She highlighted how organizations must look beyond their immediate geographic areas when recruiting talent. This approach diversifies the workforce and brings in a broader range of perspectives and experiences to assist in today’s complex healthcare landscape.
Ms. Shah said emerging healthcare leaders must understand what drives them to work in healthcare. Successful employees must be authentic and stay eager to learn, while prioritizing patience and self-compassion. She encouraged early careerists to embrace their unique paths and seek out mentors to gain perspectives and guidance throughout their careers.
"Your story is your superpower," Ms. Shah said.