Current Fellows
The MD Anderson Administrative Fellowship is successful in training and developing fellows for their careers after the program. Past fellows have found great opportunities inside and outside of MD Anderson.
Through the eyes of our administrative fellows, MD Anderson is the perfect place to grow. It offers numerous opportunities for development and making significant contributions to our institution. Under the leadership of the President's Office, the fellows spend 18 months employed at MD Anderson working on projects in a focus area they select based on their interests.
Our Fellows
2020-2021
Mary Titus
Tulane University
Mary Titus received her Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration from Tulane University in New Orleans. During graduate school, she completed her integrated administrative residency at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, where she focused on hospital operations and strategy.
Prior to pursuing her master’s degrees, Mary attended The University of Alabama where she double majored in Biology and Psychology. Mary was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and was heavily involved in research throughout her undergraduate years. Between graduating from The University of Alabama and starting at Tulane, she was a Research Technician at Baylor College of Medicine studying infertility and sterility using the mouse model.
Mary is a Houston native and excited to be back in the city she grew
up in. She looks forward to building relationships across the
institution and further developing her leadership skills. Mary’s
passions lie in strategy and institutional advancement, and she is
thrilled to be a part of MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Braden Hellstern
University of Minnestoa, Twin Cities
Braden Hellstern received his Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota in May 2020. During the program, Braden was active in leading process improvement projects with healthcare organizations and volunteered as a Spanish interpreter at a local clinic. He also represented his school by competing in multiple national case competitions.
In 2017, Braden earned his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University where he studied business administration and public health. During his time at the university, Braden confirmed his interest in healthcare as he worked as a project and facilities manager for a federally qualified community health center. In the summer of 2018, Braden continued his work in rural health at Banner Healthcare in Colorado where he conducted a leadership analysis project.
While at Banner, Braden became familiar with MD Anderson Cancer center as an organizational partner. He is honored to join the team at MD Anderson as an administrative fellow and determined to contribute to the inspiring vision of Making Cancer History®.
Aleeza-Maria Vitale
George Washington University
Aleeza Vitale is a third-year MHA candidate at the George Washington University and will receive her degree upon completion of her fellowship. Throughout her time at the George Washington University, Aleeza held the role of graduate research assistant and completed her summer residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This most recent exposure sparked her interest professionally in Academic Medical Centers and cancer care.
Her interests in healthcare administration include operations, strategy, and addressing care access challenges in communities. Her goals professionally from this fellowship are to grow her leadership and project management capabilities while learning directly from those creating transformational change at MD Anderson.
Prior to pursuing a master’s degree, Aleeza attended the University
of Miami, where she majored in health sector management and policy.
Aleeza grew up in Brussels, Belgium and has spent most of her life in
Europe. In her free time, she enjoys working out, any outdoor
activities, traveling, and taking the time to read or journal. Her
personal and professional experiences have formed her passion for
cancer care. Aleeza is excited for the opportunity to be a part of an
organization that emphasizes thoughtful, personalized care and
research with a mission as important as that of MD Anderson.
Emily Thompson
Texas A&M University
Emily Thompson received her Master of Health Administration degree from Texas A&M University. While in graduate school, she was able to serve as a graduate research assistant at the Southwest Rural Health Research Center, where she worked on several HRSA-funded research projects and publications. In addition, she was able to complete her practicum experience in MD Anderson’s Division of Internal Medicine.
Prior to pursuing her MHA, Emily attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration degree with majors in accounting and human resources management. While at Mercer, Emily primarily worked in the political arena, serving as a field director on several campaigns and working at the U.S. Senate. Her advocacy for several issues led to her becoming both a Truman Scholar Finalist and a Stamps Scholar.
Emily hopes to further develop her competencies during her administrative fellowship and gain greater exposure to all aspects of MD Anderson while using her skills to serve others. The mission of MD Anderson has personal significance to Emily, and she is honored to take part in the fight to end cancer.
2019-2020
Kaitlyn Block, MPH
Yale School of Public Health
Kaitlyn Block received her Master of Public Health concentrated in health policy from Yale. As a graduate student, she completed her healthcare management practicum at Smilow Cancer Hospital and interned in the Office of Patient Experience at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, Kaitlyn attended the University of Texas at Dallas as a Terry Scholar, where she studied public health and political science. In her final semester, she participated in the Archer Fellowship program in Washington, D.C. and interned at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Office of External and Legislative Affairs.
As a native Texan, born and raised in Houston, Kaitlyn is excited to return to her hometown and begin her career at MD Anderson. She is passionate about addressing the whole health of a patient and looks forward to expanding her knowledge of cancer care, specifically by focusing on areas related to quality and performance improvement.
Josh Breazeale, MBA
Louisiana State University
Josh Breazeale received his Master of Business Administration degree at Louisiana State University specializing in healthcare management. An Alexandria, Louisiana native, Josh earned a B.S. in Business Management from LSU, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He served multiple roles, including Philanthropy Chairman and President, while also assisting in a $7 million capital campaign as a member of the Project Steering Commission for the Star & Crescent Foundation of Louisiana.
Prior to joining MD Anderson, he interned at Gold Weems Law Firm, focusing on medical malpractice defense. In the summer of 2018, he served as Admin Intern at CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, where he supported department directors and the Cabrini Foundation to discover the strengths and limitations of their hospital and clinics.
Josh has a passion for patient-first cancer care and looks forward to working in areas related to finance, institutional strategy, and institutional advancement.
Laura Farris, MHA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Laura Farris received her Bachelor’s degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Vanderbilt University, where she studied the social and political implications of health and healthcare. During this time, too, Laura developed her interest in cancer care through volunteer work and an administrative internship with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.
In 2019, Laura obtained her Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there, Laura assisted UNC’s Department of Family Medicine through projects related to staffing, clinical expansion, patient experience, and performance improvement. She also aided the rural health research team at UNC’s Sheps Center for Health Services Research with communication efforts targeted at critical access hospitals (CAHs) around the country.
Laura is passionate about improving care continuity and clinical operations through a focus on the patient experience. She is excited and honored to aid the mission of MD Anderson Cancer Center as a fellow this year.
Shaun Kurian, MHA
Texas A&M University
Shaun Kurian graduated from Texas A&M where he earned his Bachelor of Science in July 2017 and completed his Master of Health Administration in May 2019. During his Master’s program, he served as the President for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Student Chapter where he actively engaged with students from the Medical, Pharmaceutical and Public Health fields about improving quality and safety within the healthcare system. Prior to college, he went to The Woodlands High School in Texas where he actively played soccer and golf.
Shaun did his practicum at CHI St. Luke’s Health, The Woodlands Hospital in Texas, where he was tasked to lead the project in transitioning the Executive Health Program to Springwoods Village Hospital. After this stint, he continued working part-time at CHI St. Luke’s Health to assist with additional projects at the hospital while completing his second year of the MHA program.
Shaun looks forward to further developing his leadership skills and talent within the realm of hospital operations at MD Anderson. He is passionate about streamlining processes and improving the overall patient experience in order to provide holistic patient-centered care and in Making Cancer History.