Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Affiliations
Certification
Publications
Committee Involvement
Professional Service
Honors and Awards
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Laura Gonzalez

Chicago,USA

Summary

Professional with deep experience in performance improvement and process optimization. Skilled in analyzing workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing effective solutions. Strong focus on team collaboration, achieving results, and adapting to changing needs. Known for reliability, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Quality and Performance Improvement Consultant

Hines Edward, Jr. Veterans Affairs
12.2024 - Current
  • Quality reviews for risk management.
  • Interpreting VHA directives regarding quality management/performance, improvement/patient safety issues.
  • Identify and interpret quality improvement indicators in various areas, with the main focus on the surgical service.
  • Support leadership with professional development in workgroups, focusing on the professional development of nursing staff.
  • Policy and Procedure Officer, review and approve hospital-wide policies.
  • Consultant for interprofessional collaborative improvement in healthcare delivery to meet internal and external agency accreditation standards.
  • Coordinate and develop data collection and analysis techniques.

Director of Faculty/Professor (Full-Time)

Loyola University
05.2021 - 12.2024
  • In charge of the hiring process, compensation, termination of new and continuing part-time faculty, and performance management of subordinate employees.
  • Oversee an average of 50-60 part-time faculty members per academic semester.
  • Responsible for payroll.
  • Continuously develop and implement new frameworks for faculty teaching techniques.
  • Direct point of contact, course content, other faculty, or leave of absence.
  • Lead faculty orientation at the beginning of the semester and mid-semester.
  • Developed DEI orientation for staff.
  • Lead Lecture: Leadership for Nursing.
  • Lecture: Obstetrics, Foundations, Simulation, Clinical Role Transition, and clinicals.
  • Assess the quality of the course materials each semester.
  • Validate and update the course and learning objectives in the curriculum as the lead expert.

o 5/2012- 5/2021 Loyola University, Chicago, IL Clinical Instructor (Full-Time)

o Simulation instructor.

o Foundations

Lab Instructor.

o Clinical Role Transition instructor

Women's Health Clinical Quality Improvement Specialist (Part-Time)

Loyola University Medical Center
05.2012 - 03.2025
  • Lead support groups for new parents and mothers with perinatal mood disorders.
  • Develop and implement quality and performance improvement action plans.
  • Implement policies and compliance issues.
  • Supporting the Women’s Health Unit with Magnet Preparedness.
  • Educate staff nurses on protocols and implement strategic plans.
  • Lead liaison for state initiatives and implement required protocols to facilitate and coordinate with the manager to improve care.
  • Baby Friendly Quality Coordinator for the Loyola Women’s Health Department.
  • Preceptor for clinical instructors.

Registry Nurse, Level 1

Loyola University Medical Center
05.2012 - 01.2025
  • Inpatient and outpatient

Lead coordinator for two COVID-19 vaccine sites (Part-Time)

Loyola University Medical Center
01.2021 - 10.2021
  • In charge of nurses and registration staff.
  • Communicate with the pharmacy to ensure proper vaccine production.
  • Oversee the observation area and first response team for adverse reactions.

Pharmacy supervisor/Clinical staff coordinator at the United Center (Part-Time)

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
05.2021 - 07.2021
  • Assessed safety on the vaccination lines with all healthcare staff.
  • Created daily safety and quality improvement plans in a changing environment on-site.
  • Supervised and trained employees, delegating roles and responsibilities.

Staff RN for Inpatient Obstetrics Unit, Labor and Delivery, and Ante/Postpartum Units

Loyola University Medical Center
09.2004 - 05.2012
  • Completed training in team building and management of high-risk patients.
  • Float nurse to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatrics.
  • Charge nurse since 2005.
  • Clinical ladder nurse.
  • Patient safety liaison for the unit.
  • Provided in-services on evidence-based research on the Women’s Health Unit.
  • Unit representative for the Perinatal Patient Safety Initiatives.
  • Created and implemented support groups for perinatal patients.
  • Created educational tools for patient discharge
  • I worked in an ambulatory outpatient clinic as a resource.

Education

Ph.D. - Nursing

Loyola University
Chicago, IL
01-2020

Master of Science - Nursing in Health Systems Management

Loyola University
Chicago, IL
01-2012

Associate of Arts - Nursing

Richard J. Daley College
Chicago, IL
01-2004

Associate of Arts in Science - Medical Assistant

Robert Morris College
Chicago, IL
01-2000

Affiliations

  • National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
  • Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
  • National League for Nursing (NLN)

Certification

  • 2013- Certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (NCC)
  • 2011 - Certified Nurse in Maternal/child (NCC)
  • 2010 - Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • 2010 - Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Publications

  • Gonzalez, L., Chin, E. (2025). Pediatric Providers’ Perceptions of Their Role in Early Detection of Postpartum Depression. Nursing for Women’s Health (Vol 29 No 1).
  • Chin, E., Gonzalez, L. (2024). Chapter 17 Working in Teams: Technology Tools for Success. Teaching Tomorrow’s Nurses. A Technology-Enhanced Approach. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Squire, D., Gonzalez, L., Shayan, C. (2024). Enhancing of belonging in nursing student clinical placements to advance learning and identity development. Journal of Professional Nursing 51(109-114).
  • Ginger, S., Chin, E., Gonzalez, L., Hauser, L., Yi, Y., Lazala, O. (2024). A Tool for Critical Reflection. Journal of Nursing Education 29 (1-4).
  • De La Pena, L. (2020). Pediatric Providers’ Perceptions of Their Role in Early Detection of Postpartum Depression. Dissertation 2020. Loyola University, Chicago.
  • Hass, S., Conway-Phillips, R., Swan, B.A., De La Pena, L., Start, R., Brown, D. (2019). Developing a Business Case for the Care Coordination and Transition Management Model: Need, Methods, and Measures. Nursing Economics 37, 3(118-125).
  • Swan, B.A., Conway-Phillips, R., Haas, S., De La Pena, L. (2019). Optimizing Strategies for Care Coordination and Transition Management: Recommendations for Nursing Education. Nursing Economics 37(2) 77.
  • International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Annual Meeting 2024. Discrepancy in Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Desire, and Relationship Satisfaction between Male and Female Partners during the Postpartum Period and the Impact of Postpartum Depression. February 22-25, 2024. Contractor, M., Lynn, M., Contractor, Shine. K, Gonzalez, L., Tenfelde, S., Wesoloski. M.
  • St. Alberts Day of Research Loyola University. A Pilot Study of Pediatric Provider Role in Screening for Postpartum Depression. October 26, 2023. Thomas, A., Zywiciel, J., Gonzalez, L.
  • St. Alberts Day of Research Loyola University. Discrepancy in Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Desire, and Relationship Satisfaction between Male and Female Partners during the Postpartum Period. October 26, 2023. Contractor, M., Lynn, M., Tenfelde, S., Gonzalez, L., Thomas, A., Contractor, S., Kailey, S.
  • National League of Nursing (NLN) Conference. Presentation on Enhancing Sense of Belonging in Clinicals to Advance Learning and Nursing Student Identity Development. September 27-October 1, 2023. Squire, D., Gonzalez, L., Shayan, C.
  • The Academy of Neonatal Nursing (ANN). Poster presentation on Pediatric Providers’ Perceptions of Their Role in Early Detection of Postpartum Depression. September 6-9, 2023
  • The Academy of Neonatal Nursing (ANN). Poster presentation on Mothers and Newborns with Opioid Use MNO. September 6-9, 2023. Gonzalez, L., Anderson, Yara.
  • Focus on Teaching and Learning (FOTL) Conference Loyola University. Presentation on Wrap It Up: Pre/Post Exam Feedback. August 2022. Ginger, S., Chin, E., Gonzalez, L., Hauser, L., Yi, Y., Lazala, O.
  • National League of Nursing (NLN) Conference. Poster presentation on Wrap it up: Post-Exam Feedback. September 28- Oct 1, 2022. Ginger, S., Chin, E., Gonzalez, L., Hauser, L., Yi, Y., Lazala, O.
  • Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Conference. Poster presentation on Pediatric Providers’ Perceptions of Their Role in Early Detection of Postpartum Depression. February 23-25, 2022.
  • Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Conference. Poster presentation on Pediatric Providers’ Perceptions of Their Role in Early Detection of Postpartum Depression. March 24-27, 2021.
  • International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health Conference. Poster presentation on Pediatric Providers’ Perceptions of Their Role in Early Detection of Postpartum Depression. October 5-8, 2020.
  • Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC). Poster presentation on Promoting Vaginal Births (PVB). 11/2/2023.
  • Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC). Poster presentation on Mothers and Newborns Affected by Opioids (MNO). 10/29/2020.
  • Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC). Poster presentation on Improving Postpartum Access to Care (IPAC). 5/20/2020.
  • Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC). Poster presentation on Severe Maternal Hypertension. 11/4/2019.
  • March of Dimes Conference. Chicago Chapter. Poster presentation on Postpartum Depression. March 2012.
  • Published an article regarding postpartum depression in the Loyola Nursing Link 11/2011.
  • Nursing grand rounds speaker for Hinsdale Hospital 5/2011.

Committee Involvement

  • Research Committee member
  • I-TIE ambassador

Professional Service

  • Implemented and led support groups for new parents
  • Implemented and led support groups for mothers experiencing symptoms of Postpartum Depression.
  • Mentor for students at Arrupe College

Honors and Awards

Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) QI Excellence Poster Award 10/29/2020, Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) QI Excellence Poster Award QI Champion 12/2019, 2019 - Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society., Recipient of Magis awards at Loyola University.

Languages

Spanish

Timeline

Quality and Performance Improvement Consultant

Hines Edward, Jr. Veterans Affairs
12.2024 - Current

Director of Faculty/Professor (Full-Time)

Loyola University
05.2021 - 12.2024

Pharmacy supervisor/Clinical staff coordinator at the United Center (Part-Time)

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
05.2021 - 07.2021

Lead coordinator for two COVID-19 vaccine sites (Part-Time)

Loyola University Medical Center
01.2021 - 10.2021

Women's Health Clinical Quality Improvement Specialist (Part-Time)

Loyola University Medical Center
05.2012 - 03.2025

Registry Nurse, Level 1

Loyola University Medical Center
05.2012 - 01.2025

Staff RN for Inpatient Obstetrics Unit, Labor and Delivery, and Ante/Postpartum Units

Loyola University Medical Center
09.2004 - 05.2012

Master of Science - Nursing in Health Systems Management

Loyola University

Associate of Arts - Nursing

Richard J. Daley College

Associate of Arts in Science - Medical Assistant

Robert Morris College

Ph.D. - Nursing

Loyola University
Laura Gonzalez