Charlie Lucero
Albuquerque
Summary
Strategic and results-oriented nursing executive with over two decades of progressive leadership in procedural services. Renowned for driving operational excellence, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and implementing high-impact initiatives that elevate patient outcomes, staff engagement, and financial performance. Expertise spans procedure throughput optimization, regulatory compliance, physician relations, and cost containment across complex healthcare systems.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Perioperative Services
Mountainview Medical Center
Las Cruces, USA
01.2026 - Current
- Responsible for directing ten operating rooms and three endoscopy suites.
- Lead key quality initiatives, patient safety, and operational efficiencies.
- Focus on staff retention and recruitment
- Direct five different units: Pre-op, OR, PACU, GI, and sterile processing.
- Facilitated regular interdepartmental meetings promoting seamless communication among clinical teams and support staff.
- Served as an effective liaison between physicians, nursing staff, administrators, and other stakeholders in support of efficient departmental operations.
Administrative Director of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Medical Center & Heart Hospital
Albuquerque, USA
01.2017 - 11.2025
- Oversaw operations for 19 specialized procedure suites - four cardiovascular, two hybrid, two endoscopy, and five Interventional Radiology – driving workflow efficiency, staffing coordination, and high-quality patient care.
- Directed a multidisciplinary team of 235 across seven departments (OR, Pre-op, PACU, IR, Endoscopy, Sterile Processing, and Radiology), strengthening collaboration, efficiency, and patient care delivery.
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives to improve procedure throughput and standardize workflows across perioperative and procedural services.
- Drove leadership development, financial strategy, and physician engagement efforts, advancing organizational culture, operational alignment, and strategic growth.
Director of Perioperative Services
UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center
Rio Rancho, USA
02.2014 - 01.2017
- Managed six operating room suites, two endoscopy suites, and an Interventional Radiology suite, coordinating 38 staff across four departments to support safe, efficient procedural care.
- Developed comprehensive OR workflows and oversaw the full buildout of new Endoscopy and IR suites from concept through activation.
- Oversaw policy development, workforce engagement, and financial planning to advance organizational priorities and operational reliability.
- Achieved zero findings in JCAHO and DNV surveys.
Administrative Director of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Medical Center & Heart Hospital
Albuquerque, USA
01.2011 - 02.2014
- Oversaw operations for 19 specialized procedure suites - four cardiovascular, two hybrid, two endoscopy, and five Interventional Radiology – driving workflow efficiency, staffing coordination, and high-quality patient care.
- Directed a multidisciplinary team of 235 across seven departments (OR, Pre-op, PACU, IR, Endoscopy, Sterile Processing, and Radiology), strengthening collaboration, efficiency, and patient care delivery.
- Spearheaded strategic initiatives to improve procedure throughput and standardize workflows across perioperative and procedural services.
- Drove leadership development, financial strategy, and physician engagement efforts, advancing organizational culture, operational alignment, and strategic growth.
Director of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Medical Center
Albuquerque, USA
01.2005 - 01.2011
Manager of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Westside Hospital
Albuquerque, USA
01.2003 - 01.2005
Operating Room Charge Nurse
Lovelace Gibson
Albuquerque, USA
01.2000 - 01.2003
Operating Room Staff Nurse
Presbyterian Hospital
Albuquerque, NM
01.1999 - 01.2000
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ12-2026
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - undefined
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM01-2018
Associate Degree in Nursing - undefined
Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute
ABQ, NM12-1998
Skills
- Patient safety
- Collaborative approach
- Staff development
- Workflow optimization
- Financial acumen
Accomplishments
- Led cultural transformation resulting in top staff satisfaction scores
- Directed the full ground-up buildout and activation of ORs, GI labs, IR suites, CVORs, and Pre-op/PACU departments
- Achieved flawless TJC survey outcomes with zero procedural findings, demonstrating exceptional compliance and operational reliability
- Led Colon SSI Prevention Team, reducing infection rates by 25%
- Founded Perioperative Operations Task Force for LEAN initiatives
- Coordinated CNOR prep course, graduating 24 nurses in two years
- Contributed to Top 50 Spine Hospital designation
- Improved GI block utilization from 60% to 78%
- Boosted surgical start times from 39% to 75%
Timeline
Director of Perioperative Services
Mountainview Medical Center
01.2026 - Current
Administrative Director of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Medical Center & Heart Hospital
01.2017 - 11.2025
Director of Perioperative Services
UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center
02.2014 - 01.2017
Administrative Director of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Medical Center & Heart Hospital
01.2011 - 02.2014
Director of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Medical Center
01.2005 - 01.2011
Manager of Perioperative Services
Lovelace Westside Hospital
01.2003 - 01.2005
Operating Room Charge Nurse
Lovelace Gibson
01.2000 - 01.2003
Operating Room Staff Nurse
Presbyterian Hospital
01.1999 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - undefined
Eastern New Mexico University
Associate Degree in Nursing - undefined
Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute
Master of Business Administration -
Grand Canyon University