Rieley Snyder and Hannah Warden, West Virginia University School of Public Health Master of Health Administration students, spent the summer enhancing their skills and gaining real-world experience as the inaugural administrative residents at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center (collectively known as WVU Medicine East) located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
During her residency at Berkeley Medical Center, Snyder worked to improve various aspects of the patient experience in the emergency department and developed monthly operating room reports to drive efficiency and utilization.
“This first-hand learning experience provided me with a tremendous amount of knowledge in all aspects of healthcare administration from workflows and operations to effective communication with staff to a better understanding of cross-departmental collaboration,” Snyder said. “I have also been fortunate to learn about expansion in hospital services, physician recruitment and so much more.”
In addition to her academic studies, Snyder is secretary of WVU School of Public Health’s Health Administration Student Association, a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the West Virginia Medical Group Management Association. Prior to her administrative residency, she served as a patient experience intern for Genesis Medical Associates’ Heyl Family Practice and worked as a health navigation and research assistant in the School of Public Health.
At Jefferson Medical Center, first-time administrative resident Warden actively participated in over 250 senior leadership-level discussions, committees and meetings. Through these discussions, Warden focused on improving inpatient and outpatient services, financial feasibility, physician recruitment and exam room utilization--deepening her understanding of the importance of strategic initiatives and day-to-day operational organization in two community hospitals and ambulatory facilities, in a health system that has rapid growth in multiple states.
“The opportunity to shadow and collaborate with senior leadership staff this early on in my career will build a great foundation for me,” Warden said. “Wherever my career takes me, this administrative residency experience will be known as a beginning point that confirmed my desire and improved my confidence to lead.”
Along with her academic responsibilities, Warden is a member of the WVU School of Public Health Student Association of Public Health and the Health Administration Student Association. She gained experience as a student intern with the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health, worked as a student ambassador and orientation leader for the WVU Office of Admissions and served as the 2024-25 WVU Panhellenic Association president.
Both Snyder and Warden are part of the first cohort of accelerated bachelor’s to Master of Health Administration students in the WVU School of Public, who are slated to graduate in May 2026. The school’s accelerated programs are designed for highly motivated undergraduate students with an interest in continuing their educational path--ultimately earning a master’s degree in a faster, more cost-efficient manner.
Photographed at the top are Hannah Warden(left) and Rieley Snyder(right).
-WVU-
po/9/2/25
Media Contact: Lindsay Wiles
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Public Health
304-293-1699; lindsay.wiles@hsc.wvu.edu
