Harbor City Medical Center in 1982

Our History

In 1988, the idea for an Administrative Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente was initially discussed by a group of KP senior leaders and internship preceptors for graduate students. At the time, KP offered a one-year health administration internship at Harbor City Medical Center sponsored by Medical Group Administrator Pat Crowe and Hospital Administrator Jim Heidenreich. This internship and many others in health administration were being cut due to regulatory changes and modified graduation requirements for graduate programs in health administration. Fortunately, a group of KP leaders identified how critical the longer on-site experience was to post-graduate students.

An Idea was Born

Bob Blair, the then yearlong intern at Harbor City (now South Bay), partnered with Mr. Crowe, Mr. Heidenreich, and other regional and area senior leaders to help organize and develop the post-graduate Administrative Fellowship Program at KP. The initial fellowship involved two service area rotations and a regional office rotation. Since the program’s inception, Administrative Fellows have completed rotations in the Northern California, Southern California, Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii markets within the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Permanente Medical Groups, Regional Offices, and Program Offices.

More than 30 Years Later, the Program Continues to Thrive

KP continues to promote and nurture the development of future health care leaders through mentorship, active participation, and exposure to the KP enterprise. Due in part to visionary leaders and outstanding preceptors, the post-graduate opportunity has become one of the most sought-after and highly competitive Administrative Fellowships in the United States. Graduates of the program can be seen in leadership positions throughout the organization, advancing our mission of providing high-quality, affordable health care services and improving the health of our members and the communities we serve.

I am grateful so many years later to have been fortunate to stay connected to our Administrative Fellowship Program, initially as a preceptor, and now over the past 10 years as the program Executive Sponsor for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. The program has grown to include all areas, many regional departments and teams, and now even our Program Offices. We are one of the most respected post-graduate Administrative Fellowship Programs in the U.S. Many wonderful leaders have made this possible. We stand on their shoulders! Each alum of the program carries the responsibility to continue that legacy through their success and impact on KP and the health care industry through their leadership and contributions.

Bob Blair
Chief Administrative Officer, Riverside Service Area