For recent West Coast University graduate Max L., the path to healthcare leadership has been anything but linear.
“I have always wanted to do management and then I was originally trying to do physical therapy,” Max explained. “I applied twice, and I didn’t get in both times.”
That redirection led him to West Coast University’s Online Master of Health Administration program, and now he can shape the future of healthcare leadership.
Balancing Full-Time Work and Graduate School
Currently serving as a rehabilitation aide in Roseville, California, Max was recently named the 2024 recipient of the Patrick E. Fry Administrative Fellowship Grant. The award provides up to $30,000 for graduate tuition, books, and fees, and secured Max a place in the highly competitive 2025-26 Sutter Health Administrative Fellowship cohort.
“I was able to look up different schools that allowed me to do school and work at the same time, [and be flexible] if I needed to accelerate it or flex it backwards and slow it down. I found this in West Coast University.”
Max began his program in March 2024 while working full-time. The program’s flexibility allowed him to accelerate his studies and stay on track to graduate by June 2025, all while transitioning into new administrative roles at work.
Support from Faculty and a Busy Lifestyle
“I felt like I was able to keep up with the two classes at a time and still work 40 hours a week,” Max said. “At first, I was kind of like, ‘OK, am I going to have to cancel some stuff?’ because I also play on four softball teams and I travel a lot. I went to eight weddings last year and I was able to still get all the stuff done. It was a good experience to be continuously busy. I’ve always been super busy, and so I’m grateful that I was able to do that with West Coast University’s online program.”
Winning the Patrick E. Fry Administrative Fellowship Grant
Winning the Patrick E. Fry Administrative Fellowship Grant wasn’t just about funding, it was about opportunity.
“The administrative grant and fellowship… you have to be doing an accredited master’s program, you have to be working full-time, it had to be in health administration, a master’s in business or nursing,” Max said. “You had to get letters of recommendation, go through a Zoom interview with executives, and then an in-person interview in Sacramento. It was stressful, but it worked out.”
Preparing for a Healthcare Leadership Role
That process led to a life-changing next step.
“With the administrative fellowship, I get paired with one of the CEOs in the company for a year,” Max said. “I am going to be paired with the CEO of all surgery centers of Northern California for Sutter and work with a couple doctors and be a project manager. It’s a paid fellowship, and then on top of that I won the grant with it, and that covers $30,000 for school.”
Encouragement for Future Graduate Students
Max credits his ability to balance the demands of work, graduate school, and the fellowship process to the support he received from his professors and managers.
“The teachers have been great,” he said. “When I send them messages, they had time to respond and set something up. My jobs have been very flexible with allowing me to do some schoolwork and meetings. They’ve also understood this is a good career opportunity for me to build.”
Looking ahead, Max plans to use the Administrative Fellowship as a launching pad for his healthcare leadership career at his current workplace. For those considering advancing their education while working full-time, Max offers encouragement:
“A lot of people feel that they’re beyond going back to school and their window has sailed. It’s never too late,” Max said. “The thing I would definitely recommend is look at all the options available before just writing yourself off. There’s not one specific path for you to do one thing. And always be open to networking — talking to people about what they do and what you do, because you never know if they could help you.”
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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