Alumnus Earns Prestigious Fellowship with Medical University of South Carolina

For former MHA student, Tony Holman, accepting a fellowship to the Medical University of South Carolina meant taking a leap of faith. Moving his wife and three kids would be no easy feat, but he knew it would be worth it.

Growing up, Holman gravitated toward healthcare. After spending a lot of time in hospital settings with his late father, it was watching his father’s patient care that inspired him to work toward change within the industry.

Holman describes his late father as the North Star for what kind of leader he wants to be. “He was at home successfully leading a team,” Holman said. “He was an amazing leader. People loved him, and they could feel his love for them.”

Holman said his father’s legacy left a lasting impression. “I want to lead out of love,” Holman said. That desire shined in his applications to fellowships across the country, he said. Out of over 13 fellowships, Holman was accepted to three final-round interviews, something that doesn’t happen to everyone. Ultimately, he was offered fellowships at both East Carolina University Health (ECU Health) and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

It was MUSC’s work in digital transformation and outreach technology that interested Holman. His technology skill set is unique within his cohort, and his bachelor’s degree in information technology helped him stand out amongst the candidates.

“I knew my unique tech background would be an asset for me,” he said. He encourages others to find their unique skills, experience or qualities and lean into those. One of his favorite quotes from his time in the MHA program comes from Don Clifton, who said, when speaking about focusing on your strengths, “You can be a lot more of who you already are.” Don Clifton developed CliftonStrengths, a psychological assessment used by students in the MHA program to help them identify unique leadership skills. For Holman, his background in IT and natural instinct for people were advantages he knew could help him stand out.

For students interested in applying to fellowships, Holman suggests putting forth your why as much as possible. “What’s your reasoning?” Holman said. “Take some time to discover why you truly want to become a leader in healthcare. Health systems want to know your ‘why’ and ‘why them?’”

Holman credits MHA Program Executive in Residence Steve Bateman among others for providing the support and feedback he needed to apply to fellowships and become a healthcare leader. “The content was good, the professors were amazing, and the cohort was excellent,” Holman said of the MHA program.