Since 1971, Houston Methodist Administrative Fellowship Program has offered a select group of outstanding people an opportunity to participate in health care at the highest levels. Over 100 alumni of the program have gone on to become leaders in their chosen fields.
For more information about the fellowship experience, please contact our Administrative Fellows below:
Kagatou Diallo, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from The Ohio State University (OSU). Her undergraduate experiences include supporting immigrants and refugees, assisting communities impacted by homicide, interning at the Franklin County Auditor’s Office, and gaining hands-on healthcare experience at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. These experiences sparked a passion for healthcare that is not only rooted in her personal and professional experiences, but also on the belief that healthcare plays a vital role in an individual’s life. She pursued a Master of Health Administration to better understand the complexities of healthcare systems and to help shape solutions that positively impact patients and communities through more equitable, accessible, and compassionate care. During graduate school, Kagatou served as Diversity Enhancement Chair for the Association of Future Healthcare Executives, supported parenting college students through OSU’s ACCESS Collaborative, and worked as a Unit Clerk at OSU Wexner Medical Center and as a Patient Access Representative in the Psychiatric Crisis Emergency Department at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She also completed an Administrative Internship in Hartford HealthCare’s Women’s Services - Maternal Health Equity department, where she led projects aimed at improving birth outcomes and advancing maternal health. Drawn to Houston Methodist for its I CARE values, Kagatou is enthusiastic about contributing as an Administrative Fellow to an organization that embodies her commitment to integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence in delivering patient-centered, equitable care. She views the fellowship as an exciting opportunity to learn, expand her skills, collaborate with inspiring leaders, and contribute to innovative healthcare solutions that positively impact the patients and communities served.
CONTACT INFO:
Ashleigh Smith was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History and her Master of Health Administration from the University of Florida (UF). As an undergraduate, she developed an interest in the impact of non-clinical drivers of health and the role hospitals play in forming community partnerships to address these factors and enhance patient care. While completing her graduate program, Ashleigh served as a graduate assistant at UF’s Heavener School of Business, where she managed daily operations for a leadership development program supporting undergraduate business students. She also completed a summer administrative internship with UF Health’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, where she led an exam room utilization time study aimed at improving patient flow and operational efficiency. Ashleigh is dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery by improving patient and provider experiences and applying data-informed strategies to expand access to care. As an administrative fellow, she is committed to advancing Houston Methodist’s mission by supporting initiatives that promote excellence in patient care and healthcare delivery. In her free time, Ashleigh enjoys spending time watching UF football, reading her favorite books, and traveling with family.
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Cody Pech is from Raceland, Louisiana. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He has completed internships across the country, including a Business Operations Intern role with a large physician group spanning Louisiana and Mississippi. He also worked as a Performance Engineering Intern with UAB Health System, where he focused on workflow analysis and process improvement, and as a Business Development Intern with UCI Health in Orange County, California, where he supported strategic growth by fostering relationships with community and faculty physicians. These experiences fueled his passion for driving operational efficiency to improve patient outcomes and enhance clinician well-being. As an administrative fellow, Cody is committed to advancing Houston Methodist’s mission of providing high-quality, cost-effective care. In his free time, Cody enjoys exercising, exploring new food and coffee spots, and cheering on his LSU Tigers.
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