Kelly Varela
Orlando,FL
Summary
Passionate healthcare leader with advanced knowledge of quality improvement, team-building, and service-line development. Directs multidisciplinary teams to deliver the highest level of possible outcomes and patient satisfaction. Successfully oversees human resources, budgeting, supply management, and patient and client service delivery. Recognized for staff development leading to high-performing teams.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SUPERVISOR OF REHABILITATION
Orlando Health - Advance Rehabilitation Institute Outpatient
08.2022 - Current
- Management and program development for two outpatient neurological therapy outpatient clinics
- Maintains clinical affiliations with educational institutions to support students, fellows, and neuroresidents.
- Enhances staff performance through continuous training and professional development opportunities.
- Oversaw the successful accreditation process for the rehabilitation department, maintaining compliance with industry standards.
- Analyzes program data regularly to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted strategies for ongoing growth and success.
REHABILITATION MANAGER-ACUTE CARE
HCA Florida Healthcare
09.2020 - 02.2022
- Leadership and program development for a multidisciplinary acute care team in a 404-bed Level II Trauma Center with a Level III NICU.
- Responsible for the direction of academic clinical initiatives in partnership with nursing, medicine, and surgery departments.
- Modified operational, marketing and staff resources to meet financial goals.
- Implemented evidence-based practices into daily operations, ensuring up-to-date treatments that maximize patient outcomes.
- Spearheaded quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient outcomes, streamlining workflows, and improving overall operational efficiencies.
INTERIM REHABILITATION MANAGER-ACUTE CARE
HCA Florida Healthcare
12.2019 - 09.2020
LEAD SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
HCA Florida Healthcare
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Manager of daily clinical operations for inpatient and outpatient Speech Pathology division.
- Assisted in developing new service line offerings based on patient and hospital assessment data, expanding practice capabilities.
- Responsible for clinical education initiatives for quality improvement of practice across the spectrum.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
HCA Florida Healthcare
04.2018 - 12.2019
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
St. Luke’s Hospital
03.2014 - 03.2017
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Supplemental Health Care
04.2013 - 03.2017
- Coordination and management of multidisciplinary teams, consultation for special, medically based cases and mentorship of fellow Speech-Language Pathologists
- Program development for multi-site school-based programs.
- Served as a mentor for new Speech-Language Pathologists, providing guidance on best practices while fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Barnes Jewish Hospital
01.2010 - 05.2014
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Baylor University Medical Center
10.2006 - 10.2009
- Medical Speech-Language Pathologist
- Guest Lecturer in the Departments of Rehabilitation and Medicine.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
University of California, Irvine Medical Center
07.2005 - 02.2006
- Created a program of service delivery for Speech Pathology in the Intensive Care Units
- Developed practice for patients with tracheostomy and ventilator dependence.
- Served as an Educator and Guest Lecturer for the Departments of Nursing, Medicine, and Surgery
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
10.2004 - 05.2005
- Hired for a short-term position to create/establish an outpatient Speech Pathology program for Willowbrook DayRehab site
SENIOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST – CLINICAL FACULTY
Rush University Medical Center
07.2002 - 07.2004
- Faculty appointment conferred: Assistant
- Appointment to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus diagnostic team (Joint Venture with Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch); Developed clinical and testing protocol and pathways for the Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus diagnostic team
- Clinical Supervisor-Full time supervision of graduate students in the acute care setting
- Guest Lecturer in the departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Nursing; Graduate Program for Speech-Language Pathology.
- Speech-Language Pathologist, Focus: Acute care practice.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center
05.2001 - 06.2003
SENIOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Lockport Area Special Education Cooperative
08.1998 - 06.2001
- Created a program for service delivery with the supervision of all assistants, related team members, and outside consultants.
- Management of pediatric population ages 10-21.
- Consultant for students with brain injury and medical-based/related diagnoses throughout Cooperative sites.
SPEECH -LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
06.1997 - 08.2000
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST- CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP YEAR
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, DayRehabCenter
06.1996 - 07.1997
- Focus: Pediatric and Adult Outpatient TBI/Neurogenic population
Education
MBA - Healthcare Administration
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT11.2024
Mini-MBA - Business Administration And Management
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL03.2019
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL05.1996
Bachelor of Arts - Speech-Language Pathology
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL05.1994
Skills
- Effective Communication
- Relationship building
- Critical Thinking
- Process Improvement
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
Affiliations
- American Speech-Language Hearing Association
Certification
Certificate of Clinical Competence - Speech-Language Pathology
Basic Life Support
State of Florida License - Speech-Language Pathology
Timeline
SUPERVISOR OF REHABILITATION
Orlando Health - Advance Rehabilitation Institute Outpatient
08.2022 - Current
REHABILITATION MANAGER-ACUTE CARE
HCA Florida Healthcare
09.2020 - 02.2022
INTERIM REHABILITATION MANAGER-ACUTE CARE
HCA Florida Healthcare
12.2019 - 09.2020
LEAD SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
HCA Florida Healthcare
09.2019 - 12.2019
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
HCA Florida Healthcare
04.2018 - 12.2019
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
St. Luke’s Hospital
03.2014 - 03.2017
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Supplemental Health Care
04.2013 - 03.2017
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Barnes Jewish Hospital
01.2010 - 05.2014
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Baylor University Medical Center
10.2006 - 10.2009
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
University of California, Irvine Medical Center
07.2005 - 02.2006
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
10.2004 - 05.2005
SENIOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST – CLINICAL FACULTY
Rush University Medical Center
07.2002 - 07.2004
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center
05.2001 - 06.2003
SENIOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Lockport Area Special Education Cooperative
08.1998 - 06.2001
SPEECH -LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
06.1997 - 08.2000
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST- CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP YEAR
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, DayRehabCenter
06.1996 - 07.1997
MBA - Healthcare Administration
Western Governors University
Mini-MBA - Business Administration And Management
Rollins College
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
Saint Xavier University
Bachelor of Arts - Speech-Language Pathology
Saint Xavier University
Certificate of Clinical Competence - Speech-Language Pathology
Basic Life Support
State of Florida License - Speech-Language Pathology
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