Kathy Hezeau
Lone Oak,TX
Summary
Results-driven leader with a strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, creativity, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with a focus on fostering productive and positive team culture. Knowledgeable Quality Director with proven history of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Successfully directed cross-functional projects that resulted in significant process improvements and operational efficiencies. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills in fostering collaborative environments and delivering impactful results.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director Quality and Patient Safety
UT HEALTH EAST TEXAS
09.2020 - Current
- Led quality and risk management programs across multiple facilities and Rural Health Clinics, ensuring regulatory readiness and performance improvement.
- Successfully transitioned two facilities from CMS Conditions of Participation to Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation, demonstrating high-level compliance expertise.
- Designed and implemented physician scorecards to monitor and improve monthly quality measures and clinical performance.
- Established a resuscitation committee and led monthly mock codes and training, resulting in decreased code events and increased rapid response activations.
- Supported the implementation and optimization of the EPIC EMR across clinical settings.
- Served as a consultant for the launch of virtual specialty consult services (Cardiology and Nephrology) for inpatient and ED utilization, improving access to expert care.
- Provided regulatory support across nine UT Market facilities for EMTALA, CMS, TJC, and internal quality reviews.
- Contributed to facilities achieving consistent 5-Star CMS ratings through quality-driven initiatives.
- Developed and implemented a regional STEMI protocol across all outlying facilities, enhancing time-to-intervention and coordination of care.
- Created a comprehensive sepsis management initiative, including a provider communication tool, individualized sepsis scorecards, and education modules; served as the Market Subject Matter Expert (SME) for sepsis
Cardiovascular Corporate Service Line Quality Manager: Data and Analytics
BSW
02.2019 - 06.2020
- Directed enterprise-wide management of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and Transcatheter Valve Therapy (TVT) registries for Baylor Scott & White, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.
- Supported biannual Cardiovascular Best Care Conferences, coordinating sessions for 150+ attendees to promote knowledge-sharing and performance improvement across the system.
- Served as a clinical SME and project manager for system-level cardiovascular initiatives, including ECMO, TAVR, and Cardiogenic Shock collaboratives.
- Led the system-wide transition of the STS data collection platform, ensuring seamless implementation and stakeholder engagement across facilities.
- Developed and deployed cardiac transplant and ventricular assist device (VAD) scorecards at the facility level to drive quality benchmarking and transparency.
- Collaborated with system physician leadership to reduce clinical variation, streamline protocols, and standardize best practices, resulting in measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
- ECMO Collaborative achievements included:
25% reduction in inpatient mortality
47% decrease in complication rates
21% increase in successful ECMO weaning - Authored foundational charters for TAVR and Cardiogenic Shock Collaboratives; organized virtual site visits and created structured evaluation templates to highlight best practices and performance gaps.
- Designed a tiered team model for managing TAVR and cardiogenic shock populations, improving cross-system collaboration and resource alignment for high-acuity patients.
- Championed initiatives to reduce waste and improve resource utilization, contributing to cost savings and operational efficiency in clinical manufacturing and supply processes.
- Oversaw system registry invoicing and financial management across the enterprise to ensure fiscal accountability.
- Conducted root cause analysis (RCA) investigations and led the implementation of corrective action plans, enhancing overall system safety and reliability.
Staff Nurse: Cardiac Catheterization Lab
BSW
03.2018 - 02.2019
- Supported the successful transition of a facility from Tenet to Baylor Scott & White, overseeing the conversion of key systems including the EMR, inventory management, and staff training programs to ensure operational continuity.
- Served as a consultant for Electrophysiology (EP) program development, guiding strategic planning, clinical workflow design, and service line growth.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive care plans, improving patient outcomes and fostering a team-based approach to care delivery.
- Identified and resolved missing charge capture processes, resulting in a net revenue increase of $300,000, demonstrating strong financial acumen and attention to detail.
- Led workflow optimization initiatives that reduced response times for critical interventions, enhancing both patient safety and team efficiency.
Manager/Interim Director: Cardiovascular Services
BSW
02.2017 - 03.2018
- Maintained full operational status of the Cardiac Cath Lab, Interventional Radiology, Vascular Ultrasound, and STEMI program using 100% traveler staffing, achieving zero mortality and zero complications over a 7-month period.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive traveler orientation and competency program, including an innovative emergency contact protocol—which was later adopted and shared across the organization after successfully saving the life of a travel staff member.
- Preserved physician engagement and retention during a highly unstable period marked by the facility being placed on the market and the subsequent announcement of its closure, ensuring uninterrupted patient care and service delivery.
- Actively supported staff through career transitions by offering résumé writing assistance and conducting interview coaching, significantly enhancing job readiness and staff morale during a difficult organizational period.
Cardiac Cath Lab Supervisor/Interim Manager
PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTER
05.2014 - 09.2016
- Developed onboarding resources, including a comprehensive orientation and information sheet for new cardiologists and clinical staff, streamlining integration into departmental operations.
- Participated in the 2-year Abbott Absorb study, contributing to clinical research and innovation in interventional cardiology.
- Led evaluation and procurement efforts for replacement of X-ray equipment, including vendor negotiations for equipment, software packages, and pricing—resulting in optimized technology investment.
- Served as a member of the Cardiovascular Resource Council for the Providence System and Ischemic Heart Disease Collaborative, influencing system-wide cardiovascular strategies.
- Actively participated in Department of Health and Joint Commission surveys, with zero deficiencies noted, reflecting a strong culture of compliance and quality.
- Contributed to Epic EMR implementation, specifically supporting Cupid builds and structured reporting rollout to enhance cardiovascular documentation workflows.
- Served as a TAVR Consultant to Providence St. Peter Hospital, advising on the successful launch of their structural heart program.
- Drove 35% increase in procedural volume over 2 years through the development and growth of advanced programs including chronic total occlusion (CTO), laser lead extraction, TAVR, and EKOS.
- Fostered team cohesion by organizing quarterly team-building events with the OR and Cath Lab, cultivating a positive culture and establishing a competitive and fun departmental tradition.
- Implemented standardized hand-off tools, improving compliance from 65% to 95% within 3 months, enhancing communication and patient safety during care transitions.
- Provided performance evaluations and individualized feedback to support staff growth and professional development.
- Oversaw scheduling and resource allocation, optimizing operational flow and service delivery.
- Boosted team productivity through the implementation of clear expectations, workflow improvements, and strategic alignment of team responsibilities.
Cardiac Cath Lab Supervisor/Interim Manager
Providence Health & Services
08.2005 - 06.2014
- Directed daily operations and workflow in the Cardiac Cath Lab and Cardiac Echo Lab.
- Served as primary educator; developed and implemented annual skills fairs and ACLS/BLS education days.
- Played a key role in launching advanced cardiac programs, including Trans-Septal A-fib Ablation, Bi-V devices, laser lead extractions, same-day radial discharge, and CTO procedures.
- Conducted data research, collection, and analysis for NCDR ICD and Washington State COAP registries to support quality improvement.
- Collaborated on the design and outfitting of two new cardiovascular lab suites, including equipment selection and vendor contract negotiations.
- Developed the hospital’s first Malignant Hyperthermia Protocol, standardizing emergency response for the ER and procedural areas.
- Created a physician documentation template that increased mandatory registry compliance from 77% to 99%.
Education
Master Business Administration - Healthcare Management
WESTERN GOVERNORS' UNIVERSITY
Salt Lake City, UT04.2019
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Columbia, MO12.1991
Skills
- Provider engagement strategies
- Team leadership
- Budget Planning, Analysis & Fiscal Oversight
- Quality and risk management
- Strategic planning expertise
- Growth strategy development
- Health system optimization
- Data-driven decision making
- Regulatory compliance proficiency
- Organizational culture development
- Innovative thinking
Awards
Achieved CMS 5-Star Hospital status for 5 consecutive years while Director of Quality (2020-2024)
Named Director of the Quarter (Q4 2022, Q1 2025) and Director of the Year for UT Market (2023)
Recipient of the UT Quitman Ardent System Quality Award (2023)
Top 150 Places to Work (2024, 2025)
Honored with D Magazine's Nurse of the Year for nursing leadership excellence (2018)
Awarded Excellence in Ethical Leadership by Western Governors University (2018)
Recipient of the Nursing Exemplar Award for Nursing Excellence (2008)
Certification
- CCRN, American Association of Critical Care Nursing - 1998-2028
Timeline
Director Quality and Patient Safety
UT HEALTH EAST TEXAS
09.2020 - Current
Cardiovascular Corporate Service Line Quality Manager: Data and Analytics
BSW
02.2019 - 06.2020
Staff Nurse: Cardiac Catheterization Lab
BSW
03.2018 - 02.2019
Manager/Interim Director: Cardiovascular Services
BSW
02.2017 - 03.2018
Cardiac Cath Lab Supervisor/Interim Manager
PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTER
05.2014 - 09.2016
Cardiac Cath Lab Supervisor/Interim Manager
Providence Health & Services
08.2005 - 06.2014
Master Business Administration - Healthcare Management
WESTERN GOVERNORS' UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
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