Kelay Trentham
Senior Operations Specialist
Tacoma,WA
Summary
Dynamic healthcare professional with 24 years of clinical expertise and over five years in administrative leadership across diverse settings. Recognized for adaptability and informed decision-making, consistently building subject-matter expertise through ongoing education and evidence-based practices. Proven strategic problem solver who integrates clinical insights with leadership acumen to advance organizational goals. Detail-oriented and exceptionally organized, with a strong track record in effectively coordinating complex projects, programs, and system initiatives.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Operations Specialist
Center for Clinical Practice and Development
06.2022 - Current
- Directed enterprise implementation of the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program, leading financial analysis, contract execution, policy development, operational launch, and system-wide change management, to achieve approximately $400K in annual system savings
- Directed operational management of the RQI program, overseeing learning platform transitions, resource optimization, ongoing change management communications and strategic service expansion to Greater Lakes and Navos
- Directed enterprise workplace violence prevention efforts, partnering with executive steering and workgroups to develop system policy, implement leader training, create resources, and transition incident reporting and investigation workflows to RL Datix
- Strengthened the System Nursing Shared Leadership Coordinating Council by ensuring the alignment of council priorities with the nursing strategic plan; fostering cross-functional collaboration and communication; serving as a strategic thought partner to enhance member accountability; and streamlining meeting processes to improve efficiency and execution
Administrative Fellow
MultiCare Health System
07.2021 - Current
- Coordinated the system Workplace Violence Prevention program steering committee meetings, system goal setting, revision of 18 prevention plans, start-up of 4 committees, initiative workgroup facilitation
- Facilitated development & deployment of substance use disorder de-stigmatization campaign via a roving poster gallery, intranet content and employee support forums with >1100 total participants across 8 sessions
- Project managed the development of a pharmacy technician training program ensuring on-time completion of the program manual and executive presentation to system leadership
- Conducted market research and data analyses in support of market entry planning and stakeholder meeting facilitation
Lead Oncology Dietitian
MultiCare Regional Cancer Center
07.2007 - 07.2021
- Deployed screening and intervention processes for 4 clinics that predated industry standards of care by up to 7 years
- Partnered with IS&T colleagues to develop EHR data collection mechanisms for both operational and evaluative functions
- Crafted and adapted workflows to address pandemic-related in-person patient volume changes and equitably address low-census requirements
Lecturer
University of Washington
09.2011 - 12.2011
- Designed curriculum, lesson plans and projects to meet academic objectives
- Performed student counseling and feedback, including via 1:1 meetings, to ensure 100% of participants demonstrated subject matter proficiency via final exam scores
Oncology Dietitian
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
07.2004 - 07.2007
- Cultivated knowledge of specialty nutrition care for hematology/stem-cell transplant, solid tumor and genetics clinic patients
- Shaped care standards resulting in ~40% increase in physical therapy referrals for one service line
- Supported development of Cancer Survivor, Cancer Prevention and palliative care services
Clinical Dietitian
Tahoe Forest Hospital District
10.2001 - 07.2004
- Served in inpatient, skilled nursing, outpatient, home health and hospice settings
- Supervised diet office and kitchen staff
- Oversaw regulatory-governed operational decisions for the Truckee-Tahoe Senior Center
Clinical Dietitian
Northern Nevada Medical Center
03.1997 - 10.2001
- Partnered with nursing leadership council to influence inclusion of nutrition screening data in nursing assessment processes
- Facilitated standardization and implementation of modernized diabetic and dysphagia diets
- Supervised diet office staff
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Georgia
09.1994 - 06.1996
Education
Master of Science - Foods and Nutrition
University of Georgia
Athens, GA03-1997
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC05-1993
Skills
- Flexible problem solver
- Team collaboration
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Analytical system thinker
- Detail-oriented logistics planning
- Skilled in fostering connections
- Commitment to proven strategies
Accomplishments
- Directed enterprise implementation and ongoing operational management of the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) training program for $400K annual cost savings over traditional in-person training
- Partnered with executive and quality leadership to transition workplace violence reporting to RL Datix (HeRO), designing compliant investigative workflows aligned with 2026 RCW requirements
- Directed strategic planning and logistics for the 2025 inaugural Nursing Research Symposium, which featured podium and poster presentations, for ~100 attendees and 20+ speakers/poster presenters, and led post-event survey analysis and debrief to inform future improvements
- Led development of outpatient oncology nutrition services for MultiCare Health System (2007-2021), including initiating an evidence-based EHR cancer nutrition screening process 7 years ahead of other major national organizations
- Designed and launched the “Koala Club for Culture, Caring and Connection,” a biweekly forum providing a psychologically safe space for department staff to foster inclusion, peer support, and connection; continuously refined format and discussion topics in response to participant feedback
Affiliations
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
- Association of Community Cancer Centers
- Oncology Nursing Society
- Society of Cannabis Clinicians
Community Volunteer Activities
Tacoma Rescue Mission, Vashon Food Bank, Vashon Relay for Life, Tahoe Forest Hospice
Additional Information
Include precepting several students; delivering over 60 clinical presentations in 24 years; writing 5 book chapters, 5 articles and 2 invited blog posts
Honors & Awards
Connie San Andres-Robles Distinguished Service Award, October 2019 (Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), Outstanding Preceptor Award, August 2016 (University of Washington Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics)
Timeline
Senior Operations Specialist
Center for Clinical Practice and Development
06.2022 - Current
Administrative Fellow
MultiCare Health System
07.2021 - Current
Lecturer
University of Washington
09.2011 - 12.2011
Lead Oncology Dietitian
MultiCare Regional Cancer Center
07.2007 - 07.2021
Oncology Dietitian
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
07.2004 - 07.2007
Clinical Dietitian
Tahoe Forest Hospital District
10.2001 - 07.2004
Clinical Dietitian
Northern Nevada Medical Center
03.1997 - 10.2001
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Georgia
09.1994 - 06.1996
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
North Carolina State University
Master of Science - Foods and Nutrition
University of Georgia