Leana Yancey
Midlothian
Summary
Dynamic healthcare leader with extensive experience at VCU Health System, excelling in clinical operations oversight and strategic planning. Proven track record in enhancing patient care through innovative project management and cross-functional team collaboration. Adept at driving operational efficiency and fostering strong interpersonal relationships to achieve organizational goals. Implemented strategic leadership practices that elevated program performance, driving Press Ganey scores from baseline to top-tier benchmarks across the health system for the kidney/pancreas transplant program.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program Manager
VCU Health System
Richmond
02.2022 - Current
- Directed kidney/pancreas transplant program, managing team of 20 transplant nurse coordinators, 8 transplant coordinator assistants, 1 outreach liaison, and on-call/after-hours team to deliver comprehensive care for over 2,500 patients, encompassing referral, waitlist, post-transplant, and living donors.
- Guide strategic planning and execution of transplant protocols/policies guaranteeing adherence to UNOS and CMS regulatory standards and optimizing operational efficiency
- Streamlined referral backlog of 800+ referrals to scheduling within 2-4 week timeframe for initial pre-renal recipient evaluations
- Transferred organ offer and on-call hours management from in-house transplant coordinators to Transplant Coordinators of America (TCOA) for addressing all after-hour requirements of program
- Directed renal collaborative practice committee in conjunction with inpatient transplant nursing unit, ICU, and interdisciplinary team members.
- Facilitated transition of nearly 200 patients to new ambulatory outpatient infusion clinic, alleviating volume at Gateway 7 Downtown Transplant clinic and optimizing throughput.
- Revamping kidney referral workflows for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
- Enhancement of outreach and promotional marketing towards local and national dialysis institutions
- Established new remote patient monitoring system to reduce 7-day and 30-day hospital re-admissions and inpatient length of stay
- Oversee service recovery strategies, resolving escalated cases to preserve high levels of patient satisfaction and trust
- Partnered with transplant quality team to collect data and enhance quality performance initiatives
- Spearheaded expansion of three satellite clinic locations, improving access to post-transplant care and pre-renal evaluations in Williamsburg, South Hill (CMH), and Fredericksburg
- Assisted in developing training materials for new hires involved in the program activities
- Monitored performance metrics to ensure timely completion of tasks
- Created tactical relationships with teams to propel projects and attain results
Interim Transplant Clinical Director
VCU Health System
Richmond
07.2025 - 11.2025
- Facilitated onboarding and training for new clinic nurse manager and assistant nurse manager
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics
- Supervised oversight of kidney/pancreas, liver, heart/lung, and TPIAT clinical programs
- Directed living donor team operations to ensure compliance and quality standards
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance strategic initiatives and operational efficiency
- Established new after-hours on-call protocol for financial screening and patient registration before transplant prep
Clinical Coordinator- Hume-Lee Transplant Clinic
VCU Health System
Richmond
10.2020 - 02.2022
- Managed scheduling and staffing for clinical operations and patient services.
- Streamlined clinic operations to effectively support 8-10 providers per day with a patient volume reaching 130-150
- Facilitated, observed, delegated, and recorded patient and clinical care activities.
- Collaborated with nurse manager to enhance nursing staff through education, evaluation, performance management, and competency development
- Oversaw and sustained adequate stock levels of medications and supplies
- Cultivated excellence by example through active mentorship and guidance to clinical staff
- Examined and interpreted test results to propose care and treatment strategies for patients within clinic
- Facilitate coordination between leadership and bed management to optimize throughput for clinic admissions to inpatient beds
- Implemented Covid-19 vaccine clinic addressing limited vaccine availability for immunocompromised patients, delivering over 500 doses
- Coordinated comprehensive monthly audits at clinic including chart documentation, blood transfusion, hand hygiene, patient education, and environmental rounds
- Improve policies and procedures through development, implementation, revision and evaluation of new protocols
Clinical Nurse III/Charge Nurse
VCU Health System
Richmond
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Conducted assessments and implemented care plans for critically ill patients
- Advocated for families to ensure clear communication and support
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive discharge plans
- Monitored arterial lines and telemetry, responding swiftly to life-threatening situations
- Provided specialized care for trauma, liver and kidney transplant, and surgical oncology patients
- Educated families on patient care while offering comfort measures
- Administered IV fluids and medications, including titration of intensive and vasoactive drips
- Operated critical care equipment to stabilize patients and enhance recovery
- Directed continuous renal replacement therapy for critical care patients, as appropriate
- Educated patients and families on health management and disease prevention
- Facilitated orientation for new nursing staff on clinical protocols and best practices as certified clinical nurse preceptor
- Analyzed laboratory results and implemented appropriate interventions accordingly
- Administered care to patients suffering from catastrophic traumatic injuries
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
J. Sergeant Reynold Community College
Richmond
01.2016 - 05.2018
- Collaborated with lead instructor to align clinical schedules, skills, and objectives
- Assisted in skill checkoffs for IV insertions, blood draws, foley catheterizations, and fluid administrations
- Implemented innovative educational techniques that enhanced student comprehension and minimized learning time
- Utilized instructional aids and motivational strategies to address learning gaps effectively
- Assigned patients based on students' learning objectives and individual patient requirements
- Evaluated competencies through written assignments and examinations to measure student progress
- Instructed students on conducting head-to-toe assessments and responding to medical emergencies
- Supervised medication administration by students to ensure patient safety and compliance
- Mentored students during clinical rotations, fostering professional development and confidence
- Served as an advocate for students who needed additional resources or support services
- Reviewed medical literature to stay current on new treatments and procedures
Clinical Nurse I
VCU Health System
Richmond
10.2014 - 03.2018
- Provided direct quality care to patients through daily monitoring and assessments
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
- Administered medications, wound care, and other essential nursing interventions
- Interpreted patient information, applying critical thinking for effective nursing care
- Precepted new graduate nurses during orientation, enhancing their professional development
- Facilitated admissions and discharges to improve hospital throughput efficiency
- Supervised registered nurses to uphold high standards in patient care and education
- Delegated shift responsibilities to ensure adequate coverage for nurses and care partners
- Facilitated collaborative care among healthcare providers, patients, and families
- Adhered to ethical standards of practice while providing compassionate care
Care partner
VCU Health System
Richmond
11.2012 - 10.2014
- Supported registered nurse and licensed practical nurse with daily responsibilities
- Obtained vital signs to monitor patient health
- Facilitated activities of daily living, including feeding, bathing, and ambulating patients
- Recorded intake and output data to ensure accurate patient assessments
- Enhanced patient comfort by transporting materials and responding to call lights
- Assisted in Foley catheter care and performed straight catheter procedures
- Reported urgent changes in patients' conditions to nurse supervisor promptly
- Conveyed critical patient information to healthcare staff to optimize treatment
Education
Doctorate of Nursing Practice - Nursing Leadership And Organizational Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, VA05-2026
Master's - Nursing Administration and Leadership
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City12.2023
RN to BSN completion -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia05.2016
Associate Degree of Nursing - Associate of Applied Science
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, Virginia01.2014
Skills
- Adaptability
- Clinical operations oversight
- Strategic planning
- Cross functional team builder
- Human resource management
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership
- Project management
- Customer service
Certification
Registered nurse license, #0001255674
References
References available upon request
Publications
- Inpatient Otolaryngology Readmissions: A nursing perspective, Leana Yancey, RN, Austin Dehart, MD, Richmond, VA
- Association Of Donor-derived Cell Free DNA And Histology In Kidney Transplant Recipients With BKPyV Viremia, P. Johnson, J. Christensen, L. Azzouz, L. Yancey, D. Kumar, G. Gupta, VCU Health, Richmond, VA
- Comparison Of 12-month Outcomes Of SGLT2 Inhibitors Between African American And Caucasian Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients, A. Brown, J. Christensen, R. Winstead, C. Song, L. Yancey, I. Yakubu, A. Azhar, G. Gupta, 1VCUHealth, Richmond, VA, 2University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, MD
- Serial Donor Derived Cell Free DNA Monitoring During Belatacept Conversion In Kidney Transplant Recipients, A. Athreya, L. Azzouz, R. Winstead, L. Yancey, D. Kumar, G. Gupta, VCU Health, Richmond, VA
- Transforming Post Transplant Care: Remote Patient Monitoring for Kidney Transplant Recipients and Readmission Outcomes
Yancey, L. et al. American Journal of Transplantation, Volume 25, Issue 8, S221 - A Feasibility Assessment of the Comprehensive Overweight/Obesity Management Pre-Kidney Transplant (COMPKT) Program: Process Evaluation, J. Christensen, A.Brown, L. Yancey, D. Burns, E. Sisson, D.Kumar, and G. Gupta
Details
Adaptability, Excellent Communication Skills, Leadership Skills, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Project Management Skills, Excellent Customer Service Skills, Innovative, academic and enthusiastic leader focused on increasing accessibility, driving efficiency, and quality outcomes to patients through kidney transplantation. Ambitious with empowering leadership for healthcare professionals, students, and liaisons to partner for improved patient care in the continuum.
Accomplishments
Presenter/Speaker for the World Transplant Congress (2025) Transforming Post Transplant Care: Remote Patient Monitoring for Kidney Transplant Recipients and Readmission Outcomes
Timeline
Interim Transplant Clinical Director
VCU Health System
07.2025 - 11.2025
Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program Manager
VCU Health System
02.2022 - Current
Clinical Coordinator- Hume-Lee Transplant Clinic
VCU Health System
10.2020 - 02.2022
Clinical Nurse III/Charge Nurse
VCU Health System
03.2018 - 10.2020
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
J. Sergeant Reynold Community College
01.2016 - 05.2018
Clinical Nurse I
VCU Health System
10.2014 - 03.2018
Care partner
VCU Health System
11.2012 - 10.2014
Doctorate of Nursing Practice - Nursing Leadership And Organizational Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
Master's - Nursing Administration and Leadership
Western Governors University
RN to BSN completion -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Associate Degree of Nursing - Associate of Applied Science
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College