CHRISTINE KOWALSKI

As the Director of Provider Practices, I oversee the following programs: Oncology, Wound Healing, Pain Management, Cardiovascular Services, Digestive Health, General Surgery, Occupational Health and Convenient Care services.

• Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and alignment on objectives.
• Oversaw budget management, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for various projects.
• Directed talent development programs, mentoring staff to enhance skills and leadership capabilities.
• Spearheaded process improvements that resulted in increased productivity and cost savings.
• Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
• Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
• Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
• Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.

• Facilitated opening Pain Management Department at Fisher Titus Medical Center
• Developed operational policies
• Managed over 23 employees and two satellite offices
• Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies
• Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures and safety protocols to optimize performance and safety
• Established and continuously optimized unit schedules and individual work assignments
• Investigated and independently resolved complaints from staff, physicians and patients by leveraging clinical judgment and unit management expertise
• Prioritized and distributed assignments and workload based on individual staff strengths and experience.
• Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions post procedure
• Implemented budget and expense controls and financial policies by analyzing income and expenditures
• Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
• Contributed substantially to successful department accreditation by consistently operating to highest standards of care.
• Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
• Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches
• Routinely evaluate costly procedures verifying proper reimbursement and cost effectiveness
• Routinely work with billing department on procedure denials to appeal and prove medical necessity for proper payment
• Plan and implement team building activities and encourage staff participation
• Team building

• Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process and management and lifestyle options
• Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented all patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems
• Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, including treatment, medications and IV's administered, discharge instructions and follow-up care
• Educated patients and answered questions about health condition, prognosis and treatment
• Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing
• Explained course of care and medications, including side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms
• Assisted in preop and post operative care of Cardiovascular patients
• Devised plan and set up Cardiovascular Pre Surgical Testing program for patients undergoing cardiac and vascular procedures
• Developed program for Calcium Scoring screenings and follow up protocols

• Managed Care of 4 telemetry and 8 non-telemetry patients hourly during exercise routine
• Established exercise protocols for patients post coronary event
• Educated patients on cardiac conditions and treatments in easy-to-understand terminology
• Monitored patient condition, including interpreting EKG's, identifying irregular tracings and updating team members on changes in patient condition
• Educated patients on improving lifestyle choices, dramatically reducing chance of symptom recurrence
• Participated in performance improvement strategies and oversaw reporting of this data to administration

• Managed nursing and support staff and all nursing activities in a 96 bed hospital by providing comprehensive nursing guidance and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and care standards
• Oversaw delivery of care for all patients on 96 bed medical-surgical unit, providing direct care to up to 8 patients, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team compromised of RN's, LPN's, technicians and unit clerks
• Delivered high level of quality care to diverse population while overseeing patient admission, transfer, discharge
• Worked as part of clinical care team to provide outstanding care in a cost effective environment
• Provided direct support to ancillary departments on second shift to meet needs directly related to patient care i.e. pharmacy support, emergency response support