Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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Debra Miller

Eugene,OR

Summary

Transformational leader in Human Resources and Labor Relations, driving safety and compliance initiatives that reduced workers' compensation costs by over $5 million. Expert in managing complex labor relations across multiple states, fostering partnerships with executives and labor unions to align safety committees with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

System Vice President Caregiver Safety, Employee Health, and Compliance

PeaceHealth
Vancouver, USA
01.2019 - 01.2025
  • Promoted for high-impact leadership in the creation and improvement of safety and workers compensation programs.
  • Executive sponsor and project manager for the transition from three separate state workers compensation programs to a single, self-insured program, resulting in financial improvement, standardization, and increased employee engagement.
  • Managed thirty-five employees to develop a best-in-class workers compensation, OSHA-compliant safety, and occupational health function, achieving significant reduction in lost workdays and lowering workers compensation direct costs by over $5 million in five years.
  • Functioned as a trusted advisor to senior executives, including President, CEO, and Governing Board.
  • Collaborated with labor unions to establish safety committees that aligned with state regulations and collective bargaining agreements, enhancing safety oversight.
  • Developed first financial and operational scorecard to track and measure injuries and costs, identifying opportunities for improvement.
  • Championed workplace violence and safety patient handling programs, promoting a culture of safety and compliance.
  • Contributed as a system incident command member and key operational leader during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Pacific Northwest non-profit, mission-driven healthcare organization with 15,000 employees in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. $4 Billion operating revenue, nine medical centers, and over 150 medical clinics.

System Vice President Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning and Talent Development

PeaceHealth
Vancouver, USA
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Led team of over seventy-five in defining vision for workforce planning, diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition, and leadership development for roles including physicians, registered nurses, and technical staff.
  • Directed strategic initiatives to enhance organizational performance and patient care.
  • Collaborated with healthcare leaders to align operational goals with overall mission.
  • Led teams in developing policies that promote quality and safety in healthcare services.

System Vice President Caregiver and Labor Relations

PeaceHealth
Vancouver, USA
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Reported directly to CHRO; developed system labor and employee relations function.
  • Led and directed ten different collective bargaining agreements representing over 9,000 employees in three states, including the Oregon Nurses Association, Washington State Nurses Association, International Union of Operating Engineers, SEIU 1199 NW & Local 49, AFT Pacific Physicians Union and teamsters.
  • Led a team of 10 HR and labor professionals moving from an outside contractor to an in-house labor relations teams including collective bargaining, strategic planning, contract administration, data analysis, government, and labor union interactions.
  • Led three union organizing campaigns and chaired negotiations for first CBAs with SEIU.
  • Collaborated with operational, financial, and clinical leaders to achieve desired outcomes in negotiations.
  • Fostered strong relationships with union representatives, including 2 SEIU presidents, bargaining teams, legal, and FMCS representatives.

Vice President People and Culture- Oregon West Network

PeaceHealth
Vancouver, USA
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Led negotiations for four separate CBAs with Oregon Nurses Association, impacting over 2,500 employees across four locations.
  • Partnered with CEO, CFO, and Chief Nursing Officer to align strategic objectives for labor and caregiver relations with organization mission.
  • Oversaw people and culture function, including labor relations, contract negotiations, SEIU organizing campaign, HR partner organization, volunteer services, and employee health services, reporting directly to CHRO and matrixing to Oregon CEO.

Vice President Human Resources

St. Joseph Health System
Santa Rosa, USA
01.2007 - 01.2013
  • Reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer and led the human resources function for two large acute care hospitals with over 5,000 employees, most represented by various unions.
  • Led eight labor negotiations with California Nurses Associations, Staff Nurses Association of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, International Union of Operating Engineers, and SEIU/NUHW service and technical union, securing agreements that aligned with organizational goals.
  • Led and directed leadership during two intense union organizing campaigns during SEIU International trusteeship of SEIU Oakland branch.
  • Coordinated five labor strikes by three unions over 2 years, managing strategies that minimized disruption to hospital operations.
  • Contributed to hospital executive team overseeing operations, budget, and regulatory compliance within non-profit catholic healthcare system, ensuring alignment with mission and values.

Assistant Vice President Human Resources

St. Joseph Health System
Santa Rosa, USA
01.2002 - 01.2007

Vice President Managed Care Services

St. Joseph Health System
Santa Rosa, USA
01.1997 - 01.2002

Health Maintenance Organizations

01.1989 - 01.1997

Education

Master’s Degree - Human Resources and Organizational Development

University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Bachelor of Science - Health Services Administration

California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA

Skills

  • Labor relations expertise
  • Financial and operational acumen
  • Negotiation proficiency
  • Conflict resolution
  • Strategic planning
  • Strategic thinking
  • Continuous improvement
  • Process improvement
  • Partnership development
  • Executive visibility
  • Team building
  • Communication skills
  • Cultural competence
  • Resilience
  • Advocacy and influence

Affiliations

  • Lane County Workforce Partnership, Board Member, 01/01/13, 01/01/19
  • Clark County CTE Consortium, Board Member, 01/01/18, 01/01/19
  • American Red Cross of Northern California Coastal Region, Member, 01/01/07, 01/01/13
  • Society of Human Resources Management, Member
  • American College of Healthcare Executives, Member

Timeline

System Vice President Caregiver Safety, Employee Health, and Compliance

PeaceHealth
01.2019 - 01.2025

System Vice President Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning and Talent Development

PeaceHealth
01.2017 - 01.2018

System Vice President Caregiver and Labor Relations

PeaceHealth
01.2015 - 01.2017

Vice President People and Culture- Oregon West Network

PeaceHealth
01.2013 - 01.2015

Vice President Human Resources

St. Joseph Health System
01.2007 - 01.2013

Assistant Vice President Human Resources

St. Joseph Health System
01.2002 - 01.2007

Vice President Managed Care Services

St. Joseph Health System
01.1997 - 01.2002

Health Maintenance Organizations

01.1989 - 01.1997

Master’s Degree - Human Resources and Organizational Development

University of San Francisco

Bachelor of Science - Health Services Administration

California State University-Northridge
Debra Miller