Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Licenses Held
Abstracts Presentations
Honors Achievements
Languages
Timeline
Generic

DEBORAH D ERICKSON

Durham,USA

Summary

Experienced Director with proven history of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Known for building collaborative relationships, fostering teamwork, delivering high impact results and adapting to evolving business needs, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.



Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, UNC Center for Transplant Care

UNC Health
04.2017 - Current
  • In collaboration with the Vice President of Operations, and Medical Director, develop and execute the clinical, financial and operational strategic plan for the UNC Center for Transplant Care's Transplant, and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) programs and associated transplant clinics.
  • Partner with Medicine and Surgery Chairs, Chiefs, physicians and Clinical Department Administrators to drive the program forward.
  • Manage budgets effectively to maximize revenue, minimize expenses, and ensure optimal use of resources.
  • Develop high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Cultivate a positive work environment that fosters employee engagement, increases retention rates, and boosts overall team morale.
  • Mentor emerging leaders, fostering professional growth and career advancement opportunities within the organization.
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the department and organization.
  • Proactively identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on business operations.
  • Leverage professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen business relationships.
  • Utilize data analytics insights for informed decision-making and regulatory compliance.
  • Navigate department through periods of significant change, maintaining focus on long-term strategic goals.

Assistant Director, UNC Center for Transplant Care

UNC Health
01.2010 - 04.2017
  • Oversaw the day to day clinical, educational and regulatory components of the Transplant and VAD departments and their respective budgets.
  • Ensured services provided were compliant with internal policies and all external regulatory agencies.
  • Oversaw development and implementation of protocols, policies, and procedures.
  • Served as the United Network for Organ Sharing Patient Safety representative.
  • Managed 10 cost centers and consistently met budget.
  • Oversaw the disbursements of patient assistance funds.
  • Led a cross functional team of over 60 staff members.
  • Attained Tier 1 staff satisfaction/workforce engagement survey results for 8 consecutive years.
  • Consistently maintained team turnover rate below hospital goal.
  • Led multiple, successful, CMS, UNOS and TJC Transplant, QAPI, Living Donor and VAD surveys.
  • Collaborated with hospital nursing leaders to identify transplant and VAD specific teammate education needs and oversaw the development and implementation across all units serving our patients.
  • Co-created and co-chaired the monthly Transplant Safety Huddle.
  • In partnership with the emergency department, utilization management, house supervisors, unit and transplant managers, developed a new pathway for patients called in for transplant that improved patient safety and hospital throughput.

Patient Services Manager, 8 Bed Tower

UNC Health
01.2008 - 01.2010
  • Responsible for the day to day management of 8 Bed Tower, a 30 bed Medicine & Geriatric Unit.
  • Oversight of 40 teammates.
  • Improved Employee Satisfaction from 72%, upon arrival, to 90% in less than one year. Moved from a Tier 3 to a Tier 1 unit in 2 years.
  • Reduced staff turnover from 17% to 7%.
  • Increased Patient Satisfaction score from 69% to 94%.
  • Decreased staffing expenses by over $300,000 through the elimination of travel nurses.
  • Built a waitlist of RNs and CNAs wanting to join the 8 Bed Tower team.

Heart Transplant Coordinator

Duke University Medical Center
10.2006 - 01.2008
  • Responsible for the care of over 110 pre, peri and post-transplant patients.
  • Maintained detailed records of all transplant-related activities, ensuring accurate reporting to internal and external agencies.
  • Provided ongoing education for clinical staff on transplantation topics, promoting a knowledgeable workforce.
  • Collaborated with medical staff to develop individualized care plans for each transplant candidate/patient.
  • Served as an advocate for patients throughout their transplant journey, addressing concerns and providing support as needed.

Associate Executive Director of Operations

Stamford Health System
01.1999 - 01.2006
  • Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Operations (EDO), responsible for the day to day management of the Stamford Health System's newly built Continuing Care Retirement Community consisting of 200 Independent Living apartments, 100 Assisted Living units, 60 Skilled Nursing beds, an outpatient clinic and more than 300 employees.
  • Assisted with strategic and start-up planning, project management, and expansion and facility re-design oversight.
  • Achieved Start-up Goal of 80% occupancy in Independent Living apartments within 3 months of opening, which translated into a $1,000,000 bonus to the division.
  • Direct reporting departments included Nursing, Outpatient Clinic (Family Medicine, Podiatry), Rehabilitation, Security, Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Sales and Marketing, and Human Resources.
  • Maintained a 90-94% staff satisfaction score and a 93-95% patient satisfaction score.
  • Successfully passed 4 Assisted Living, 3 Skilled Nursing regulatory surveys.
  • Attained CARF certification for Rehabilitation Unit.
  • Two term Chairperson for the Connecticut Assisted Living Association.

Executive Nursing Director

Kaplan Senior Quarters Health Care
01.1996 - 01.1999
  • Overall administrative responsibility for the nursing standards and practice of a 120 unit Assisted Living facility reporting directly to the Chief Executive Director.
  • Managed over 30 clinical and administrative staff.
  • Promoted a positive work environment by recognizing achievements and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Developed and implemented all policies and procedures in preparation for the first Assisted Living survey.
  • Successfully passed initial and subsequent regulatory surveys.
  • Managed budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources without compromising patient care, quality or employee satisfaction.

Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Stamford Hospital
01.1994 - 01.1996
  • Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize patient care based on patients' acuity levels and individual needs.
  • Provided skilled, emergency care to critically-ill patients.
  • Managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
  • Educated patient, family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.

Critical Care/Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Saint John Regional Hospital
06.1989 - 01.1994
  • Provided nursing care, conducted thorough patient assessments, promptly notified physicians of changes in conditions and initiated appropriate interventions.
  • Supported families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care.
  • Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care.

Education

Community Preparedness & Disaster Management Cert -

UNC Gilling's School of Public Health
Chapel Hill, NC
01-2010

Masters & PhD - Health Service Management

Columbus University
New Orleans, LA
01-2001

Bachelor of Nursing Degree -

University of New Brunswick
NB, Canada
01-1993

Registered Nurse Diploma -

Saint John School of Nursing
NB, Canada
01-1998

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Operations management
  • Change management
  • Relationship building

Licenses Held

  • North Carolina, Registered Nurse License
  • Connecticut, Registered Nurse License

Abstracts Presentations

  • The Transplant Safety Huddle- an Enhanced Methodology in Adverse Event Management, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2017, Orlando, Florida
  • Transplant Root Cause Analysis Process for Negative Outcomes and Adverse Events, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2015, San Diego, California
  • The Transplant Electronic Health Record- How to Prepare and Manage so Transplant Gets What is Needed, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2014, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Increasing Donation and Utilization of Donated Organs, Best Practices, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2014, Baltimore, Maryland
  • How to Utilize the Lean Six-Sigma Toolbox for your Transplant QAPI Program, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2014, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Survival Analysis for Lung Transplant Patients, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Establishing Best Practice Care Pathways for Lung Transplant Patients, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Structuring a Successful Transplant Quality Assessment Performance Improvement Program, UNOS Transplant Management Forum, 2010, Denver, Colorado
  • Presenter, The BASEMENTS Model of Care for the Acutely Ill Geriatric Patients, UNC and Flinders University School of Nursing International Conference, 2009, Raleigh, North Carolina

Honors Achievements

UNC Leader with a Tier 1 department since 2010

Chapel Hill, NC

Member of the Board of Directors, HonorBridge Organ Procurement Organization 2024

Chapel Hill, NC

UNC Center for Transplant Care Jason Ray Transplant Clinic named a Top Ten Performer in Patient Experience 2024

Chapel Hill, NC

Preceptor for MSN Clinical Nurse Leader student at UNC Pembroke 2017-2019

Pembroke, NC

Preceptor for Doctor of Nursing Practice student at Duke University 2016-2018

Durham, NC

Advanced Leader Academy Mentor, UNC College of Leadership Excellence 2016-2017

Chapel Hill, NC

Board Member of Sigma Theta Tau, North Carolina Chapter 2013

Chapel Hill, NC

President Elect, President, President Emeritus- International Transplant Nurses Society  2010-2013

North Carolina Chapter

Adjunct Faculty at the University of North Carolina’s School of Nursing   2008-2013

Chapel Hill, NC

Languages

French
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Director, UNC Center for Transplant Care

UNC Health
04.2017 - Current

Assistant Director, UNC Center for Transplant Care

UNC Health
01.2010 - 04.2017

Patient Services Manager, 8 Bed Tower

UNC Health
01.2008 - 01.2010

Heart Transplant Coordinator

Duke University Medical Center
10.2006 - 01.2008

Associate Executive Director of Operations

Stamford Health System
01.1999 - 01.2006

Executive Nursing Director

Kaplan Senior Quarters Health Care
01.1996 - 01.1999

Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Stamford Hospital
01.1994 - 01.1996

Critical Care/Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Saint John Regional Hospital
06.1989 - 01.1994

Community Preparedness & Disaster Management Cert -

UNC Gilling's School of Public Health

Masters & PhD - Health Service Management

Columbus University

Bachelor of Nursing Degree -

University of New Brunswick

Registered Nurse Diploma -

Saint John School of Nursing

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
DEBORAH D ERICKSON