Current & Alumni Fellows

Current Fellows

Dalton Fletcher, MS, MHA

 

Dalton Fletcher, a Lexington, N.C. native, holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Exercise Science from Appalachian State University, where he researched obesity’s impact on the respiratory system. He joined Cone Health in 2019 as an exercise physiologist in the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation department at Moses Cone Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dalton played a key role in establishing PPE conservation processes and standard work for PPE room managers at the Green Valley campus, which helped preserve N95 mask supplies. During this time, he also earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration. In 2021, Dalton became the manager of the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation department at Annie Penn Hospital, where he focused on streamlining patient entry processes, improving outcomes, and boosting employee retention. Colleagues describe Dalton as a hardworking and innovative leader dedicated to health care in rural populations and process improvement.

Afi Koffi, MPH

Afi Koffi, originally from Philadelphia, holds a B.A. in Health Services and an MPH in Health Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, focusing on strategic project development and funding for mental health initiatives, and at Genentech in the Public Affairs and Access division, where she managed Medicaid access projects and market analysis. Additionally, she has engaged in community outreach as a Community Assistant Leader at The Corner in Pittsburgh. Afi’s career reflects a commitment to healthcare access, quality, and compliance, especially in underserved communities. She is passionate about advancing health equity through inclusive policymaking, process improvement, and leadership. 

Jaleesa Shepard, MHA

 

Jaleesa Shepard, originally from Massachusetts, holds a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her career reflects a commitment to addressing social determinants of health, advocating for patient-centered care, and fostering professional growth. Jaleesa has held roles as a healthcare liaison, educational program director, and pharmacy operations specialist, where she led initiatives to improve employee retention, streamline patient discharge processes, and develop a career framework for pharmacy technicians. She has also authored policy briefs to expand mental healthcare access and establish social insurance for long-term care in North Carolina. Jaleesa’s global healthcare perspective was shaped by her volunteer work in Belize, where she improved healthcare delivery and infrastructure, particularly through a mobile pharmacy service for marginalized communities. Known for her preparation, ambition, and dedication, she is passionate about collaborating with peers and enhancing healthcare delivery and outcomes.

Alumni Fellows

(*) indicates that the Fellow is currently employed at Cone Health.

Fellowship Testimonials

How has the Cone Health Administrative Fellowship Program helped you grow as a health care professional? 

“The Administrative Fellowship Program at Cone Health exposed me to many different facets of health care. The two-year program gave me time to understand the complexities of a health system, work on meaningful projects, and find my passion before graduating and finding an area of focus.” 

“The Cone Health Administrative Fellowship provided me with a new lens through which to view how and why decisions are made throughout our health system for our patients, staff and community.  The breadth and depth of exposure to service lines and key operating units across the health system allowed me to explore my personal career interests and develop skill sets that have made me a more well-rounded leader.” 

“I personally feel that I received about 10 years-worth of experience and learning in the two years that I was a Fellow. The scope and diversity of projects that I was exposed to helped me understand the most effective leadership techniques to produce great results. Even more valuable were the insights and coaching I received from the senior leadership team that helped refine me both as a leader and as a human being.”  

Based on your experience, why would you recommend the Cone Health Administrative Fellowship Program to potential applicants?  

“First, the vision and the culture. Cone Health aspires to be one of the best health systems in the U.S. by always doing the right thing for patients and employees – being a part of this is inspiring. Second, the Cone Health Fellowship is two years, which provides enough time to build relationships, earn trust of senior leadership and be able to work on significant projects. Cone Health invests in the Fellowship in order to develop future leaders of the organization and the high retention rate of former fellows still working in the organization is proof of that intent.” 

“The Fellowship allows you to see how a very large and progressive health care system is operated from the top to the bottom.  You get to see how all the departments are connected and intertwined, which gives the Fellow the opportunity to see what he or she may or may not be interested in doing.  With the ever-changing landscape of health care, the Fellowship also gives the opportunity to sit in on discussions at the senior executive level. I think it makes you well-rounded in your view of healthcare, while allowing you to be a part of something much bigger than yourself.” 

“The access to learning, mentors, projects, board leadership and community involvement makes the Cone Health Administrative Fellowship, without a doubt, one of the best Fellowship Programs in the country.”