Nikia Dennis Ed.D., LNHA
Syracuse,NY
Summary
Goal-oriented transformational leader with over 10 years of experience in healthcare leadership effectively maximizing productivity while retaining service quality. Demonstrated proficiency in operations management, staff management, process improvement,compliance and strategic planning. Passionate about utilizing research and data to make informed decisions that help underserved populations.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Population Health Manager
Crouse Medical Practice
Syracuse, NY
10.2023 - Current
- Manage/oversee productivity of a staff of 40 remote workers(Medical Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioner).
- Program management, process improvement of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, Chronic Care Management, Behavioral Health Integration Care Management and Transitional Care Management programs.
- Assess the effectiveness of existing procedures/workflows and implemented
quality assurance procedures to evaluate the delivery of healthcare services. - Prepare activity reports to inform leadership of status and implementation
plans of programs, services, and quality initiatives. - Manage budgeting processes related to healthcare services, including
developing cost-saving measures and ACO deliverables. - Maintain up-to-date records of employee attendance and vacation requests, Conduct payroll, performance evaluations, hiring, training and termination of staff.
- Review insurance claim records to identify areas of improvement for reducing costs and improving efficiency.
- Identifying gaps in care for patients with complex health needs to ensure that they receive appropriate follow up care from specialists or other providers.
- Meeting regularly with staff members to discuss department goals and progress towards those goals
Faculty Specialist/ Adjunct Professor
OCC Community College
Syracuse, NY
09.2022 - Current
- Professor Of Introduction to Health Professions and Medical Terminology and Healthcare Administration program coordinator (Synchronous and Asynchronous)
- Maintained regulatory compliance of degree and workforce program students for the college, clinical sites, and DOH as well as equipment for the programs (PTA, Nursing, Surgical Tech, HIT, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, CNA/HHA)
- Curriculum development for new Healthcare Administration program and new Health Systems course
- Increased student performance using automated reporting system, leveraging data to identify student learning needs and creating action plans to overcome learning deficiencies
- Worked on BOOST/Kresge Grant project helping 20 low-income parents enroll in college and eliminating behavioral barriers of adult education enrollment utilizing Ideas42 training., Redesigned forms and reports for admission, transfer, or discharge of each program participant which decreased 30 day readmission rates
- Reported and maintained accurate departmental records in company database and NYS reporting systems.
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
Upstate Services Group
Syracuse, NY
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Managed entire operations of safety net facility and 15 direct reports and 162 employees
- Maintained 98% census by maximizing branding outreach initiatives and implemented improvements to reporting procedures which decreased complaints, abuse, and accidents/incidents by 10%
- Maintained zero deficiency findings from seven DOH infection control surveys during the Pandemic
- Decreased facility outbreaks through implementation of COVID and infection control tracking system
- Decreased financial inconsistencies and overpayments from bonuses during the staffing crisis
- Worked with Medical Director and Nurse Practitioners to enhance quality of care and life for residents through med reconciliation, review/discontinuation, and treatment of the "whole-patient".
- Assessed staffing needs of the facility on an ongoing basis to maintain
appropriate levels of qualified personnel. - Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and
standards related to long-term care facilities.
Assistant Administrator/Director of Operations
Upstate Services Group
Syracuse, NY
05.2018 - 08.2020
- Managed operations of safety net facility alongside the Administrator with 30 direct reports and 350 employees
- Reduced investigations by 15% on complaints, abuse, and accidents/incidents by implementation of 'Angel Rounds' and
- Administrator on Duty programs
- Maintained state and federal compliance for all employee annual trainings and education for 2 years
- Increased daily monitoring assuring accuracy of POC and MARS documentation which directly reduced adverse events and
- Investigated and submitted all DOH reportables
- Oversaw performance management in addition to hiring, firing, training, and onboarding of clinical and non-clinical employees.
- Identified potential risks or safety issues within the facility and created action
plans to mitigate them. - Established quality assurance programs to monitor performance standards on a
regular basis. - Collaborated with staff, families, and local resources to provide quality care for
residents. - Spearheaded multiple projects from concept through completion while
successfully managing budgets and timelines on each project.
Regional Phlebotomy Manager
Interactive Health
Schaumburg, IL
05.2012 - 05.2018
- Recruited, interviewed, trained, and supervised 10 remote phlebotomists
- Reduced team's overall hemolyzation rate by 2% each year and expense and supply budgets by 7%
- Maintained 98% on anonymous satisfaction surveys and audited company procedures for compliance with state and federal regulations
- Initiated and promoted a “Wellness Champion” program for staff engagement and retention
- Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures, and performance strategies in addition to creating strategies to develop and expand existing customer sales, resulting in increase in annual sales by 3%.
Education
Master of Science - Trauma Social Work
Chamberlain University
Downers Grove, IL01-2025
Doctor of Education - Executive Leadership
St. John Fisher College
12-2021
Master of Science - Management in Healthcare Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
05-2016
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
SUNY Brockport
08-2013
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) License Number: 06083 -
NYS Department of Health
Skills
Executive Leadership Experience, Process Improvement, Program/Operations Management, Data Information Systems, Growth Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Planning, Qualitative Research, Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Budgeting, Conflict Management, Mentoring/Coaching, Data Analysis Skills, Regulatory Compliance
Affiliations
Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority Inc.-Syracuse NY Chapter
Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Council-OCC Chapter
American Association for Women in Community College-OCC Chapter
Accomplishments
- Journey to Science-Local Professional's Experiences to Their Path in STEM or STEM-Adjacent Fields, Navigating Highs, Lows, and Uncertainties
- Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) Symposium- Career Preparation and Professional Skills: Classroom Connections
- Kresge Foundation BOOST Grant- Creating Community Partnerships That Support Family and Economic Mobility
- Dissertation Presentation- Are Psychological Barriers an Unseen Threat to Women in Leadership? An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on the Underrepresentation of Women Chief Executive Officers in Healthcare.
Timeline
Population Health Manager
Crouse Medical Practice
10.2023 - Current
Faculty Specialist/ Adjunct Professor
OCC Community College
09.2022 - Current
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
Upstate Services Group
09.2020 - 09.2021
Assistant Administrator/Director of Operations
Upstate Services Group
05.2018 - 08.2020
Regional Phlebotomy Manager
Interactive Health
05.2012 - 05.2018
Master of Science - Trauma Social Work
Chamberlain University
Doctor of Education - Executive Leadership
St. John Fisher College
Master of Science - Management in Healthcare Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
SUNY Brockport
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) License Number: 06083 -
NYS Department of Health
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