Expert medical program leader with successful background as accomplished Occupational Health Director. Focused on improving care quality and patient protections with proactive approach and sound knowledge of evidence-based practices. Trains, disciplines, and motivates staff for maximum performance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director Occupational Health
Tyson Foods, Inc.
08.2021 - Current
Led nurses across all business units and supervised their daily activities resulting in successful outcomes in the production environment.
Ensured comprehensive support with healthcare interventions, including broad-based coaching initiatives, to help employees maintain optimum physical well-being.
Provided education for nursing staff to stay current with leading health and safety initiatives
Ensured compliance with various local, state and federal policies and company-specific procedures.
Assisted in developing occupational healthcare strategies and achieved established key performance indicators.
Took charge of financial planning by creating an effective annual budget. Provided coaching and mentorship to nurses under my supervision. Evaluated employee performance through thorough performance reviews, ensuring fair compensation decisions were made. Facilitated communication among various divisions at Tyson Foods.
Implemented advanced technology and cutting-edge processes to optimize organizational health outcomes
Guided and directed digital enablement strategies for Tyson Foods, Inc's Occupational Health division to enhance overall performance.
Occupational Health Nurse Manager
Tyson Louisa County Plan
12.2018 - 08.2021
Delivered expert guidance and oversight to the Occupational Health Services team
Enabled the staff's professional and educational growth by facilitating their development in safe, effective, person-centered practice and care.
This position is responsible for implementing and maintaining Occupational Health programs policies and procedures for a facility; supervising a group of nursing and support personnel; supervising and evaluating nursing care provided to workers; monitoring nursing functions to ensure nursing staff adheres to correct nursing procedures within scope of practice; attending facility management meetings to provide occupational health related updates; conducting annual nurse performance evaluations interviewing and hiring qualified nursing staff and ensure adequate staffing is provided on each shift; managing workers compensation cases and ensuring records and reporting systems comply with OSHA State company and legal requirements; adhering to the highest standard of confidentiality; participating in facility safety and ergonomic programs; developing and coordinating health education programs for Team Members.
Quality Management Services Manager of Case Management
Mercy Iowa City
Iowa City, IA
02.2014 - 12.2018
Coordinates the operational and personnel activities of the Case Management staff of Quality Management Services, including medical necessity determination, utilization management of both commercial and Medicare / Medicaid populations, discharge planning, acuity monitoring and analyzing to assure that care is provided in a compassionate, cost-effective, and efficient manner within the regulatory and reimbursement systems
Case management includes discharge planners, social workers, and utilization review staff
Leads the education of all Mercy Providers and staff regarding medical necessity documentation
Oversees the Clinical Documentation Improvement program for the hospital system
Assists with the hospital systems Quality Reporting process through hospital defined matrix as well as Performance Improvement Planning for the hospital system
Assists with The Joint Commission planning and survey through QMS leadership department
Works closely with the Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Corporate Compliance and Quality to ensure regulatory compliance is met throughout the entire hospital system
Completes survey preparation with direct and non direct care staff for The Joint Commission Survey and the Department of Inspection and Appeals survey
Directly involved in updating and maintaining policies and procedures for the Quality Management Services department.
Team Director
HCI Hospice Care Services
Mount Pleasant, IA
01.2012 - 02.2014
Manage and lead the delivery of high quality, cost-effective, end-of-life care through effective and efficient use of people and other resources
Supervised staff, volunteers, and contractors providing services
Effectively managed the financial resources of the team
Continuous commitment to quality improvement
Reviewed programs and initiated quality improvement reviews and interventions
Developed and implemented patient and family care initiatives
Developed and maintained professional standards for all disciplines including confidentiality, clinical policy and practice, patient and family care documentation, standards of care, human resource, financial and information management
Hired, developed, coached and retained competent staff by establishing and maintaining a professional work environment
Managed the financial resources for the team without compromising care of long-term goals
Planed implemented and monitored team budget
Marketing and development of professional and public relationship to encourage the development and growth of the team
Facilitated a growth of the average daily census of 12 in 2012 to an average daily census of 42 by 2013.
Director of Nursing Services / Patient Care Coordinator
Hospice of Washington County
Washington, IA
01.2007 - 01.2012
Direct supervision of nursing staff for hospice services including education, staff development and coordination of daily business management
Coordinated care for hospice clients and families including care planning, coordination of services and daily care for hospice clients
Education and implementation of computerized software including care planning and charting, as well as reporting system features
Quality improvement and infection control implementation and education with development of QAPI program
Compliance and continued education on all Federal and State regulations and requirements
Knowledge and understanding in Hospice Medicare requirements and benefits
Educate hospice staff, facility staff, and community members regarding hospice care and end of life management
Marketing of services to community and outside services including public speaking engagements, radio interviews, and community service involvement
Budgeting of all nursing services and operations
Participate and facilitating growth of census from an average daily census in 2007 of 13 to an average daily census of over 30 in 2011
Direct patient and family contact from referral process to bereavement.
Staff Nurse II, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
University of Iowa Hospital
Iowa City, IA
12.2006 - 12.2011
Staff nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit
A versatile unit that cares for the acute and critically ill patient
Within this unit experiences in procedural sedation, airway management, and daily care to acute and critically ill patients.
Staff Nurse for Clinical Resource Unit
University of Iowa Hospital
Iowa City, IA
12.2005 - 12.2006
Served as a resource unit to the Intensive Care Units throughout the hospital system, including: SICU, CVICU, MICU, IPCU, and Inpatient Care / Step-Down Units
Management of staffing and emergency needs throughout the intensive care areas.
Home Health Nurse
Visiting Nurses Association
Iowa City, IA
01.1998 - 12.2005
Coordinating home health care for pediatric clients in the home
Assisting both the parents and primary care provider in giving the best care to all clients
Care planning and coordinating care individualized for each client with the family and primary care provider
Caring for high-risk pediatric clients with airway management including tracheotomy care and ventilator care
Ages of children range from eight weeks to eighteen years of age.
Education
LPN Diploma -
Kirkwood College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor of Science and Nursing -
Iowa Wesleyan University
Mt. Pleasant, IA
Change Management Certificate -
eCornell
MS in Organizational Leadership, Technology and Data Analytics -
Excelsior University
Skills
Change Management
Organizational Leadership
Technology and Data Analytics
Occupational Health
Clinical Guidance
Case Management
Health Education
Coaching
Compliance Management
Budgeting
Mentoring
Performance Reviews
Compensation Decisions
Team Member Health Issues
Technology Implementation
Digital Enablement
Nursing Supervision
Staff Development
Care Planning
Quality Management
Utilization Management
Discharge Planning
Acuity Monitoring
Clinical Documentation Improvement
Quality Reporting
Performance Improvement Planning
Joint Commission Survey Preparation
Policy and Procedure Development
End-of-Life Care
Financial Management
Marketing
Public Speaking
Infection Control
Medicare Requirements
Process Improvement
Strategic leadership
Coaching and Mentoring
Professional Networking
Reporting and Documentation
Analytical Thinking
Relationship Building
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Staff Education
Compliance with Federal and State Regulations
Patient and Family Care
Staff Supervision
Admissions Coordination
Assisted Living Coordination
Home Health Care Coordination
Pediatric Care
Community Leadership
Accreditation and Licensing
Excel and Microsoft Word Expertise
Census Growth and Clinical Business Development
Conflict Management
Corporate Budgeting and Cost Containment
Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
Medicare/Medicaid/Private Insurance Billing
Multi-State Work Comp Laws
Understanding and Compliance with Federal and State Regulations
OSHA Compliance
Employee Education
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
Electronic Health Record Implementation and Management
Policy and Program Development
Team Building
Risk Mitigation
Credentials
RN, BSN, COHN-S
Affiliations
2006- 2009: Washington Community YWCA Past President
2010 – Current: Columbus Junction / Louisa County Relay for Life Representative
2008-2010: Past District Chair for Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa
2012 – 2015: Member of the Johnson County Long Term Care Committee
2015-2020: Columbus Community School District Career Board
2017-2020: Columbus Community School District Booster Club President
2014-2015: Honoring Your Wishes Board Member – Johnson County
2017-2019: Mercy Home Health Care Board Member
2018-2019: Commission on Cancer Chair
2019-2021: Columbus Community School Board Member
2017-Current: Louisa County Volunteer EMS
2024-Current - Columbus Junction Benefited Fire Department Member
2024: ABOHN Standard Setting Committee – COHN-S
2024-Current - Louisa County Public Health Board Member
Certification
Iowa Board of Nursing - Registered Nurse # 112462
COHN-S - Certificate # 104610
HPNA Approved Educator: 12/2017
National and Hospice Palliative Nurse Certification - Certificate # 109300253
Lifeloc BAT Approved Instructor
Medic First Aid CPR Approved Instructor
Timeline
Associate Director Occupational Health
Tyson Foods, Inc.
08.2021 - Current
Occupational Health Nurse Manager
Tyson Louisa County Plan
12.2018 - 08.2021
Quality Management Services Manager of Case Management
Mercy Iowa City
02.2014 - 12.2018
Team Director
HCI Hospice Care Services
01.2012 - 02.2014
Director of Nursing Services / Patient Care Coordinator
Hospice of Washington County
01.2007 - 01.2012
Staff Nurse II, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
University of Iowa Hospital
12.2006 - 12.2011
Staff Nurse for Clinical Resource Unit
University of Iowa Hospital
12.2005 - 12.2006
Home Health Nurse
Visiting Nurses Association
01.1998 - 12.2005
LPN Diploma -
Kirkwood College
Bachelor of Science and Nursing -
Iowa Wesleyan University
Change Management Certificate -
eCornell
MS in Organizational Leadership, Technology and Data Analytics -