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Lean Healthcare Practitioners
Charles Hagood - President / CEO
Charles Hagood, MBA, President and Founder of Healthcare Performance Partners (HPP), has overseen the introduction and implementation of Lean Healthcare systems in numerous healthcare organizations including some of the largest non-profit hospitals, national systems, small critical access hospitals, clinics, and large for-profit systems. HPP is one of the few organizations that have successfully translated Lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System (TPS) to the healthcare industry. Charles also is a founding Principal of The Access Group, LLC (TAG), which is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee USA area along with HPP, and has worked with Fortune 100 companies throughout the world (GE, Tyco, Cessna, Nissan and many others) in their Lean transformation and process improvement initiatives. Charles also oversees the application of Lean/TPS methodologies into the planning, design, and construction phases of a wide range of clinical and hospital renovation and construction projects. Charles received his MBA from Belmont University's Massey School of Business and is on the faculty of the Belmont University Lean Healthcare Certificate Program.
Dave Munch, M.D. - EVP & Chief Clinical Officer
Dr. David Munch is the Senior Vice President of HPP. He comes from Exempla Lutheran Medical Center as their Chief Clinical and Quality Officer. He has been leading their Lean Production applications for the past 5 years resulting in substantial improvements in both clinical and non-clinical processes. Dr. Munch is an instructor for the University of Michigan's Lean Certification Program and has been a frequent speaker on the subject of leadership effectiveness and Lean transformation for a number of healthcare organizations including Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), The University of Rochester Medical Center, Yale-New Haven Health System, Tulane University Medical Center, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), and the Voluntary Hospital Association (VHA). Dr. Munch has served on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's High Reliability Advisory Group, has an extensive background in hospital operations, health plan governance, physician organization governance and clinical practice in Internal Medicine.
Laura Archer - Senior Vice President of Strategy & Services Development
Laura Archer is senior vice president, Healthcare Performance Partners, responsible for strategy and services development. Laura has extensive experience in facilitating performance improvement in health care service delivery. Her career spans twenty five years with experience in academic, for profit and faith based providers. She has extensive experience in engaging executives, medical staffs, and front line employees to drive sustainable improvements. Laura has served as a professional consultant with Ernst & Young and Deloitte Consulting , served as an internal employed consultant for Parkland Health and Hospital System, Harris Methodist Health System (now Texas Health Resources) and a faith based academic medical center. She has led decision support services and has a strong background in utilizing data to mobilize teams in driving sustainable improvements in work processes. Laura received her undergraduate degree in accounting and organizational administration from Oklahoma State University and her M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration, from Oral Roberts University. Laura is a non-practicing Certified Public Accountant.
Marshall Leslie - Vice President of Business Operations
Marshall, a Six Sigma Black Belt serves as HPP's Director of Project Support and has overseen numerous Lean Healthcare client engagements. As a former multiple year "top-ten percent" performer at General Electric, Marshall brings clients the much needed tools and techniques needed in any industry, including healthcare. Marshall is also a graduate of General Electric's Operations Management Leadership Program; he has experience in various supply chain capacities including quality engineering and global sourcing for both GE and Procter & Gamble. Marshall has led cross-functional Lean and Six Sigma teams in North America and Europe with a track record of delivering process improvements and bottom line results. In addition, he brings a strong Lean background coupled with experience in Kaizen facilitation, Lean Enterprise implementation and Six Sigma application. Marshall worked side by side with former Toyota Japanese Sensei's in identifying, developing solutions, and overseeing implementation of waste reducing systems and much improved processes throughout value streams. Marshall's expertise in both Six Sigma and Lean enables him to apply a broad spectrum of process improvement tools tailored the healthcare industry's needs. He holds a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).
Gary Bergmiller, Ph.D - Director
Gary brings 25 years of experience directing Lean system design, implementation and cultural transformation. Gary has served as the senior official leading lean transformations for world class companies such as GE, Philips, and Cox corporations. Prior to joining HPP Gary worked with Toyota Way series author Dr. Jeffrey Liker to develop a Toyota Way academy healthcare workshop. Additionally, Gary was hand selected by Dr. Liker to lead the implementation of the Toyota way for the entire western US and Canada Hertz operations. Gary's expertise is in developing sustainable improvement cultures, lean strategy deployment, executive training, lean management systems, value stream based organizational structures, designing corporate wide lean programs, building teams of lean facilitators, and integrating lean and green systems for a holistic approach to waste elimination. He has authored a series of articles based on his research that have been cited in the EPA's current research effort Lean and Environment: Next generation and Jeffrey Liker's book Toyota Culture. Gary holds a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University, a Masters in Engineering Management from University of South Florida and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of South Florida.
Teresa Carpenter, RN - Director
Teresa Carpenter, RN is the Director of Lean Clinical & Facilities Design and brings a unique perspective to lean healthcare as a registered nurse with extensive architectural design and facilities planning experience. Teresa began her career in healthcare working through the ranks from Admitting Clerk to Patient Care Director of various critical care units, medical-surgical units, and support departments such as Respiratory Therapy and Cardiac Rehabilitation in several South Carolina facilities. With over 12 years experience in the acute care environment, Teresa moved to our Nashville area where she spent almost a decade as Clinical Operations Coordinator for an internationally recognized leader in healthcare architectural design. Among these projects, she was the lead planner on the nationally recognized St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend, Wisconsin, the world's first hospital designed to reduce medical error. Teresa assists hospitals and healthcare systems in all aspects of applying Lean to the master plan, design, and operational aspects of a facility design or clinical expansion. Teresa holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston, and a degree in nursing from Trident College in Charleston, South Carolina. As the Director of Lean Clinical Design with HPP, Teresa serves as an educator, advisor, advocate, and interpreter for Lean healthcare integration into a wide range of clinical and hospital renovation and construction projects.
Dave Krebs, PE - Director
Dave is a licensed Engineer who brought over twenty-six years of Lean Healthcare experience in the Lean intensive automotive industry to the healthcare industry. Dave has successfully overseen the implementation both for profit and non profit health systems. David has held positions such as President, Plant Manager, Director of Product Planning and Program Management, Product Manager, Senior Engineer, Project Engineer, and Senior Staff Engineer. David has worked with companies such as BJKC-Americas Corporation, AlliedSignal/Bosch and AlliedSignal (a leader in the Six Sigma initiative throughout the world). Dave has worked with a number of HPP healthcare clients throughout the USA, as well as numerous other successful Lean Healthcare client engagements.
Rick Morrow - Director
Rick Morrow has 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, aviation, automotive, supply chain and technology. Most recently Rick held the position of Director, Business Excellence with The Joint Commission and led the Center for Transforming Healthcare. In this position he was the Deployment leader for the Joint Commission’s Lean Six Sigma initiative leading teams in developing solutions across America and launching globally. Rick developed The Joint Commission’s Robust Process ImprovementTM Lean Six Sigma (LSS) belt and leadership training used internally and in its Center for Transforming Healthcare. Rick led the collaboration with leading organizations successful in improving hand hygiene and reducing wrong site surgery. He introduced Design for Lean Six Sigma in developing a web-based solutions tool. Prior to the Joint Commission, Rick held senior level Continuous Improvement positions with United Airlines, Motorola, SKF and Eaton. As Vice President at SKF, a firm known as a leader in reliability, his LSS was credited with achieving Zero Defect processes which he then rolled out internationally. At Motorola, he directed the quality turnaround of its safety product, OnStar. He wrote Motorola’s corporate-wide Lean courses and led the strategic and tactical planning using TPS globally. Certifications include Motorola Master Black Belt and a MBA from the University of Illinois’ Executive Program. He is an international speaker on Lean and Six Sigma at conferences including NPSF, ASC and ASQ. Rick is a contributing editor on safety publications.
Dave Pickens - Director
Dave, a Six Sigma Master Blackbelt, has been instrumental in helping healthcare organizations apply and integrate Lean Healthcare and Six Sigma principles into their organizations. Dave was responsible for leading the team in the reduction of waste and processing time in clinical departments as well as other successful Lean Healthcare client engagements. Dave has a BS and MS Degree in Statistics from the University of Tennessee, and brings almost 20 years of engineering, quality engineering, and Lean experience to Healthcare Performance Partners (HPP). Dave worked for a number of years with Allied Signal, a world leader and pioneer in developing Six Sigma techniques and applications. Dave is a proven professional that provides training, Lean Healthcare and Kaizen event facilitation, as well as Six Sigma and Master Blackbelt support for healthcare and clinical organizations.
Bradley Schultz - Director
Before joining HPP, Bradley was serving as Vice President of Operations & Quality for Infinity Resources Inc. where he pioneered the application of Lean, Six-Sigma, Work-Out and CAP (Change Acceleration Process) in the retail market sector. Bradley began his career in manufacturing with GE Healthcare and was working as a Manufacturing/Quality Engineer when GE adopted the Six-Sigma methodology from Motorola. In 1995, GE Healthcare began providing consulting services based upon these tools to its customers through its Performance Solutions business unit, pioneering the application of Six-Sigma in healthcare. Bradley joined Performance Solutions in 1996 during its infancy and remained with the business unit for seven years. During that period Bradley provided significant leadership to Performance Solutions to adapt the firm's products to the unique needs of healthcare clients and to translate the firm's published materials out of the language of manufacturing engineering and into the language of healthcare. Bradley's educational background includes: a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Post Graduate Certification in Quality Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering, a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Six-Sigma Master Black Belt Certification from General Electric, and Front-Line Leadership Development Certification from Achieve Global.
Tom Stoffel - Director
Before joining HPP, Tom served as President of Transformation Group, Inc,. Tom Stoffel developed TGI Healing Healthcare - a brand of Lean Healthcare training tools designed to make lasting improvements. With over 10 years of continuous improvement experience, Tom has helped hundreds of organizations make lasting improvements. He has developed an excellent working knowledge of Lean practices and principles by working with a diverse client base - Fortune 100 companies down to less than 15-employee manufacturers. In the healthcare environment, Tom has led healthcare organizations in both the development of high-level Lean Strategies down to hands-on implementation of Lean in a clinical setting. Tom has achieved the levels of Certified Lean Specialist from the Business Improvement Group and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), along with being an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer. These certifications build on an Engineering Degree from the University of Michigan. Training experience includes Lean, Quality, and Leadership Training, as well as serving as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Waubonsee Community College.
Richard Tucker - Director
Richard Tucker is a Director with HPP and has served as a coach, facilitator, and project manager for healthcare clients in the training and implementation of Lean Healthcare Tools and Methodologies. Prior to joining HPP, Richard had over sixteen years of business and industry experience in operational and leadership positions. With his work in healthcare, Richard has lead teams in the utilization of lean healthcare tools to eliminate waste, giving back precious time to the front line caregivers to focus on their patients. One project eliminated over 2 miles of walking (and one hour of time) per nurse each shift by relocating frequently used supplies closer to the point of use. A critical care team standardized the care of central line catheters to significantly reduce blood stream infections and improve staff satisfaction with the new process. In addition to his ongoing support of healthcare organizations in their lean journey, Richard is a founding faculty member of Belmont University's Lean Healthcare Certificate Course. Richard's educational background includes BS and MS degrees from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. Richard has attended formal training courses in Lean Manufacturing, Leadership Development, and Shainin Statistical Problem Solving.
Don Bingham - Senior Associate
Don brings over twenty years of experience in automotive manufacturing to Lean Healthcare. This includes seventeen years with Nissan Motor Manufacturing where he made strides in industrial engineering, supervision, supplier development and Lean Manufacturing. Don was instrumental in Nissan's Lean Manufacturing techniques where he taught Kaizen Methodology, utilizing tools such as 5S and Standardized Work. While at Nissan, Don spent time in Japan on new vehicle model projects, benchmarking Japanese vendors and training. Don was with General Motors for three years where he helped to implement their Lean Global Manufacturing System at St. Catharine's Engine plant in Ontario, Canada. Don holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and Math from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. He earned a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification in 2007.
Matthew Davis - Senior Associate
Matthew has nearly 20 years of professional experience, with many years devoted to Lean in a manufacturing and supply chain environment at Cummins, Inc. Since being exposed to the Toyota Production System, Matthew has effectively facilitated Kaizen, Point Kaizen & 2P events, Value Stream Map training and implementation sessions, as well as 5-S and SMED globally (Brazil, France, Mexico, South Africa and the U.S.). Matthew’s functional expertise spans strategic and tactical experience in operations, sales, supply chain management and human resources. He also has leadership experience with diversity in management consulting and higher education roles. Matthew is recognized as an innovative change-agent, analytical team builder and motivational driver of results. As a results-driven leader, he has the capacity to analyze and solve complex business problems utilizing a disciplined, data-driven approach. Matthew is a graduate of Pitzer College with a bachelors in Political Studies, and Vanderbilt University with a Masters in Business Administration. He is a certified Six Sigma Sponsor and is a Certified Facilitator of Lean on the Shop Floor for Kaizen/Kaizen Blitz Events, 2P, 5-S, and Value Stream Mapping.
Ken Lowe - Senior Associate
Ken joins HPP bringing over twenty six years experience in manufacturing which includes sixteen years in the automotive industry. He has a proven background to be a change agent utilizing business metrics to analyze and develop lean strategies that address the voice of the customer. His professional experience includes successfully leading operations in various roles to include Controller, Materials Manager, Operations Manager and Plant Manager. He was introduced to Lean Methodology while working with Johnson Controls, a lead supplier for Toyota, where he was Champion of Lean Implementation at his plant. Ken most recently worked with Cummins Filtration where he teamed up to lead the adoption of Lean Methodology in manufacturing plants worldwide. He has experience in the leading and the training of: Kaizen events (Rapid improvement, Breakthrough, 2P), Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, 5S, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), A3 reporting and Visual Management (QCDS - quality, cost, delivery, safety). Ken has completed Six Sigma Green Belt - DMAIC training. Ken has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bethel College with a focus in Finance.
Bill Lowstuter - Senior Associate
Bill Lowstuter, who received his B.S. degree in Engineering from the University of Illinois, brings HPP clients many years of experience from numerous industries, including Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Service companies. His skills and talents in the area of improving quality while maximizing productivity through the development and implementation of Kaizen and Lean enterprise principles are superior. Bill was also a pioneer in applying Lean to the Healthcare setting with much success. Bill's multi-disciplined background includes direction over functional organizations such as operations, quality assurance, materials management, purchasing, environmental, health and safety, and human resources. His experience in these areas provides a unique perspective that allows perfect complimenting between strategic and tactical plans.
Alex Maldonado - Senior Associate
Before joining HPP, Alex's professional experience included process improvement, operational, and leadership positions in the medical delivery systems and appliance manufacturing industries with Baxter Healthcare and Whirlpool. Alex has had a successful track record in improving results-driven processes with an emphasis in personnel training, project leadership, and operating systems designed to improve customer service and sustainability. He has led the development and implementation of processes to support Lean initiatives that reduce critical path lead-time, reduce expediting costs, capital improvement projects, inventory reduction, and trained and educated staff/employees in Lean Methodology. Alex is well recognized in the following areas: Value Stream Mapping, Hoshin Strategic Planning, Office and Floor 5S, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Process Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (PFMEA), Quality Improvements and Mistake Proofing, Six Sigma, Cellular Design, Standardize Work, Pull Systems (kanb an), Equipment Design and Installation (DFLMA), and Safety Programs. He has a B.S. in Industrial Technology Engineering from Mississippi State University and has also completed the Six-Sigma black belt program.
Marilyn Petersen, RN - Senior Associate
Marilyn brings over thirty-five years of clinical practice and nursing leadership to Healthcare Performance Partners. The first 15 years of her nursing career included clinical practice in critical care, obstetrics, emergency medicine, inpatient rehab, medical - surgical nursing and peri-operative services. Marilyn's leadership roles began 12 years ago in acute and non-acute healthcare, coordinating JCAHO survey readiness, Director of risk management, case management, medical staff quality improvement and house-wide CQI. Her executive roles include compliance officer, quality improvement officer and chief nursing officer. Before joining Healthcare Performance Partners, she spent 8 years as a consultant with VHA, a healthcare alliance of more than 2,300 healthcare organizations across the country. The focus of Marilyn's work was in operational assessment and process redesign for teaching and non-teaching hospitals. Marilyn's broad clinical experience, executive leadership and proven record in process redesign provide valuable expertise to the application of LEAN principles in healthcare. Marilyn holds a master's degree in Nursing Administration and Adult Health from Andrews University and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.
Maureen Sullivan, RN - Senior Associate
Maureen Sullivan brings 28 years of healthcare experience in clinical nursing, management and quality leadership to Healthcare Performance Partners. Maureen, as the director of lean and quality improvement for Exempla Lutheran Medical Center successfully led the implementation of Lutheran's Lean production system from 2004 to 2008 demonstrating improvements in clinical quality, employee engagement, and financial stewardship. Maureen is skilled in coaching Lean principles at all levels of an organization integrating strategic planning, best practice and process improvement. As a registered nurse, Maureen's clinical experience is in medical surgical nursing with progressive responsibilities in nursing management at the front line, middle management, and administrative levels. Maureen is passionate about improving processes so that front line staff consistently meet and exceed the patients' needs. Maureen began her quality management career in 1996, coordinating, facilitating and managing improvement and accreditation programs at a departmental, site and system level within Exempla Healthcare. Maureen's nursing education started with an associate degree in Nursing from Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois followed by a bachelor of science in nursing with an emphasis in healthcare management at Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado. Maureen achieved certification from National Association for Healthcare Quality, certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ), Colorado State University in process mapping, and University of Michigan in lean healthcare.
Steve Wickham - Senior Associate
With over twenty years of healthcare experience, Stephen M. Wickham brings expertise in clinical nursing, fiscal management, team building, and quality leadership to Healthcare Performance Partners. Steve has a very comprehensive understanding of systems operations, fiscal leadership, performance improvement methods, and strategic planning. He has held three director level positions managing several service lines in nationally recognized healthcare facilities across the country. His management experiences include: Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, CA; the University of California Medical Center in San Diego; University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA, and Rose Medical Center in Denver, CO, a member of Hospital Corporations of America. Prior to his work with Healthcare Performance Partners Consulting Services, Steve held positions as the Director of Emergency/Trauma Services, Director of Patient Care Services, and Organizational Performance Consultant. Steve’s nursing education started in a diploma program in Cleveland, Ohio followed by a Bachelors Degree from the University of Phoenix, San Diego. Steve completed his Masters in Nursing – Healthcare Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2001. He recently completed certification from FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness in Hospital Emergency Response Training in Anniston, Alabama.
Jeff Wilson - Senior Associate
Throughout Jeff's career, he has delivered and applied progressive management and process improvement tools to help organizations reach new levels of performance. The industries span from healthcare to manufacturing, financial consulting and accounting. His experience with Six Sigma and Lean goes back to the early days of his career while working with Colgate Palmolive. Jeff had the opportunity to use process improvement tools as a participant on project teams and was so impressed with the effectiveness of these tools he began to further develop his understanding of and expertise in the implementation and use of them. Throughout his career as a front-line Supervisor, Materials Manager, Logistics Manager and Plant Manager, Jeff has used and championed the use of Lean tools to deliver exceptional results. Most recently, Jeff served in a consultant role with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership where he had the opportunity to support other organizations as they seek to improve processes by implementing Lean. He has developed Lean transformation plans, facilitated Kaizen events and developed training materials for numerous client companies. Jeff has a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Western Kentucky University. He also holds a Certificate in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) designation.
Naida Grunden - Consulting Associate
As a consultant/trainer for HPP, Naida Grunden brings over 20 years of experience as a writer and teacher. She served as Communications Director for the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative for five years, where she also taught the Lean healthcare curriculum. She is the author of several articles and one book, The Pittsburgh Way: Improving Patient Care Using Toyota Based Methods Prior to her work in health care, Naida directed communications for a large suburban school district, various engineering firms, and a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association. She holds a B.A. in English from California State University, East Bay, and a California secondary teaching credential from California State University, San Francisco.
Terri Hagood, RN - Nursing & Healthcare Delivery Advisor
Terri, a licensed RN and certified in Critical Care, brings 20 years of clinical experience to Healthcare Performance Partners (HPP). Terri has worked in various healthcare and clinical organizations such as Pediatrics, Neuro, Critical Care, Med/Surg, Assisted Living Facilities, and Home Health Services. Terri provides advice and counsel to HPP and its clients to insure clinical procedures and practices are adhered to. Terri attended Belmont University and Tennessee State University where she received her nursing degree.
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