The Vanderbilt Transplant Center has offered the Transplant Administrator Fellowship since 2011 to train the next generation of transplant administrators. Originally designed as a one-year program, the fellowship has evolved into a two-year program to maximize exposure to the many unique areas of transplant administration.
2023-2025
Lyzet Ignacio-Simon, Sr. Analyst, Transplant Business & Strategy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Master of Health Administration, University of Florida
2021-2023
Sara Rath,
Master of Business Administration, University of Minnesota
2019-2021
Anastasia Quarles, Program Director, Pediatric Transplant, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Master of Business Administration, University of Colorado
2016-2018
Makenzie (Cook) Buchert, Director of Transplant Services, Children's Hospital of Michigan
Master of Health Administration, Saint Louis University
2014-2016
Meredith (Stanley) Kalozdi, Product Manager-Connected Health Product Development, Ochsner Health System
Master of Health Administration, Tulane University
2012-2013
Asad Zaman, Director of Transplant Operations, Northwestern Medicine
Master of Health Administration, Indiana University
2011-2012
Scott Wansley, Director of Solid Organ Transplant, The University of Kansas Hospital
Master of Health Administration, The University of Memphis, Master of Business Administration, Jackson State University
Alumni Testimonials
"The Vanderbilt Transplant Administrator Fellowship continues to have a positive impact on my career as a transplant administrator. As a fellow and mentee of Ed Zavala, I was fully immersed in all aspects of transplant administration and service line leadership at a high volume, multi-organ transplant center, with a proven track record of excellence and success. I believe the experience I gained in strategic planning, operations, finance, budgeting, research and regulatory compliance is second to none as it is coupled with Vanderbilt's nationally renowned and consistent reputation of providing outstanding patient care and healthcare education. Equally important to the technical experience I gained, is the invaluable experience of being a member of a team that effectively works together to make their unique contributions part of a combined success. The team of administrators, nurses, physicians, surgeons, and ancillary staff that take pride in their work and the outcomes they produce.
As an alumnus of the Vanderbilt Transplant Administrator Fellowship program, I am able to draw on the benefits of solid mentorship, a foundation of operational excellence, vision of effective teamwork, and information from a network of experts as I lead the Solid Organ Transplant program at The University of Kansas Health System. As my career continues to progress, I am confident my experience as a fellow will remain significantly impactful." - Scott Wansley, MBA, MHA
"The Transplant Administrative Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a career changing opportunity for me. Although I had great academic instruction in my MHA program at Indiana University, no academic environment can substitute for real-world, hands-on learning. At Vanderbilt, I was constantly exposed to different aspects of operations in each of the respective transplant programs. Getting an opportunity to lead several projects, while working with a multi-disciplinary group of administrators and clinicians, also helped to further strengthen my aptitudes and develop competencies. Finally, having an opportunity to work alongside the preceptor of the fellowship, Ed Zavala, was an absolute privilege. Ed was, and still remains, a great mentor for me. The experience and relationships I have gained through the fellowship have helped me build a solid foundation as a leader. I am certain that choosing the Transplant Administrative Fellowship at Vanderbilt was the right decision for me."
- Asad Zaman, MHA
"This fellowship experience is truly unique and unlike any other fellowship. By focusing on a specific service line, I was able to learn the intricacies of the transplant world through many different experiences. I was exposed to not only the Vanderbilt Transplant Institute, but to transplant programs throughout the country through the dual fellowship with the Transplant Management Group. I was also fortunate enough to meet with other transplant administrators at two national transplant conferences. These conferences gave me the opportunity to learn more about the specifics of transplant as well as network with others throughout the nation. During my fellowship, I also had the rare opportunity to participate in several journal and book chapter collaborations. I am very pleased to say that because of this fellowship and the guidance of my mentor, Ed Zavala, I am now a published author. The Vanderbilt Transplant Administrator Fellowship also exposes you to executive level meetings. By being part of these meetings, I was able to learn how to learn the expectations held by the executive level. Another highlight of my fellowship experience was when I served as interim supervisor of a team of five employees. This opportunity gave me firsthand experience of operations management, which was truly valued by future employers when I interviewed for management positions. This fellowship develops future leaders, both in transplant and beyond. I am very pleased that I was able to have such a great experience."
- Meredith (Stanley) Kalozdi, MHA
"The fellowship experience in transplant was exactly what I was looking for post-grad. While I obtained an excellent education, and had been prepared for success in the working world, I knew that I had a desire to work in transplant long-term, and this fellowship is designed to prepare you for all of the intricacies that come with working in transplant. I was fully immersed in the transplant process, and was afforded opportunities to work in all elements of transplant administration. Working at one of the largest transplant centers in the country allowed me to complete projects in all four major organs as well as pediatric transplant. It also gave me the opportunity to explore new and novel transplant opportunities, in addition to getting to work alongside some of the brightest minds in transplant. Having the opportunity to lead several projects, while working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of administrators and clinicians, further strengthened my aptitudes and developed my leadership abilities. Finally, having the opportunity to work alongside the preceptor of the fellowship and administrator of the transplant center, Ed Zavala, was and continues to be an absolute privilege. Ed is an excellent mentor who wants to see you succeed. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to be a fellow in Transplant Administration at Vanderbilt, and I am so proud to continue my career here alongside this team."
-Anastasia Quarles, MBA
