Paul Topliff
Waukee
Summary
Seasoned surgical operations leader with 20+ years of progressive responsibility in perioperative and executive roles. Adept at aligning surgical services with AORN standards, optimizing workflows, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and elevating patient satisfaction. Proven record of driving service-line growth, streamlining processes, and building high-performing teams for long-term stability and excellence.
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Surgical Director
Fillmore County Hospital
Geneva, NE
03.2005 - Current
- Provide executive oversight of all perioperative services—five OR suites, SPD, PACU—serving a 25-bed critical access hospital.
- Developed and implemented AORN-compliant policies for surgical site prep, instrument processing, environmental cleaning, and staff competency validation.
- Led recruitment of two new general surgeons and an orthopedic specialist, increasing surgical volume by 18% in first six months.
- Instituted real-time OR utilization dashboard; reduced turnover time 30% and improved on-time starts by 22%.
- Chair quarterly Surgical Quality Committee, driving zero preventable SSIs for 12 consecutive months and maintaining patient satisfaction scores in the 95th percentile.
- Manage $4M perioperative budget—track supply variance, oversee capital equipment bids, and achieve 8% cost savings via vendor renegotiations.
Chief Operating Officer
Audubon County Memorial Hospital
Audubon, IA
11.2020 - 07.2024
- Directed day-to-day operations of inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and ancillary services under CEO’s leadership.
- Launched five new specialty clinics (Ortho, Neurology, Nephrology, Pulmonary, Endocrine), boosting market share by 12%.
- Negotiated county and city partnerships to establish ambulance transport service, improving response times and revenue.
- Oversaw $2.5M Emergency and Surgical department renovation project—delivered on time and under budget.
Manager of Surgical Services
MercyOne Northeast Iowa
Waterloo, IA
08.2020 - 11.2020
- Supervised 60 FTEs across 12 ORs and Central Sterile, enforcing clinical practice standards and facilitating continuous process improvement.
- Improved first-case on-time starts by 15% through workflow redesign and targeted staff coaching.
Manager of Surgical Services
River’s Edge Hospital
St. Peter, MN
05.2019 - 11.2019
- Designed and launched a new surgical services department; implemented extended-hours RN staffing model, generating $30K payroll savings in six months.
- Reduced OR turnover time from 45 to 20 minutes by standardizing instrument sets and turnover protocols.
- Partnered on equipment upgrade plan, enhancing surgical capability and throughput.
Director of Surgical Services
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
Grinnell, IA
04.2016 - 03.2019
- Increased annual case volume from 2,900 to 3,300 by adding robotics, ophthalmology, ENT, and OB/Gyn lines.
- Negotiated supply-vendor contracts, realizing $200K in annual savings.
- Led chargemaster overhaul: captured 20% more supply charges and grew OR revenue year over year.
Director of Surgical Services
Mahaska Health Partnership
Oskaloosa, IA
11.2010 - 04.2016
- Elevated patient satisfaction from 50th to 90th percentile; chaired hospital-wide satisfaction task force.
- Grew surgical volumes from 2,026 (FY2010) to 3,000 (FY2015) by launching new service lines and redesigning OR layout.
Surgical Services Coordinator
Mahaska Health Partnership
Oskaloosa, IA
06.2009 - 10.2010
- Coordinated daily scheduling for surgeons and anesthesia, optimizing block utilization and staff assignments.
- Launched staff development program, boosting retention and performance metrics.
Perioperative Registered Nurse
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
Grinnell, IA
08.2005 - 06.2009
- Provided scrub and circulating support for general, bariatrics, OB/Gyn, ortho, urology, ENT, and pain-management cases; served as charge nurse and preceptor.
Surgical & Orthopedic Technologist
Northland Bone and Joint
Kansas City, MO
11.2002 - 09.2005
- First assistant for busy orthopedic practice; coordinated perioperative scheduling, instrument maintenance, and prior-authorization workflows.
Non-Commissioned Officer
Medical Services U.S. Air Force
01.1988 - 09.1994
- Managed podiatry and orthopedic clinic operations—staff supervision, OR coordination, supply logistics.
- Desert Shield/Storm veteran.
Education
Master of Health Administration -
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - undefined
Central Missouri University
Associate Degree - Applied Science, Surgical Technology
Indian Hills Community College
Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) - undefined
Community College of the Air Force
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - undefined
Skills
- Perioperative Leadership
- AORN & Regulatory Compliance
- Strategic Planning
- Budget & Fiscal Oversight
- Performance & Change Management
- Team Development
- Clinical Quality Improvement
- Service-Line Expansion
- Vendor & Contract Negotiation
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
Audubon County Memorial Hospital
11.2020 - 07.2024
Manager of Surgical Services
MercyOne Northeast Iowa
08.2020 - 11.2020
Manager of Surgical Services
River’s Edge Hospital
05.2019 - 11.2019
Director of Surgical Services
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
04.2016 - 03.2019
Director of Surgical Services
Mahaska Health Partnership
11.2010 - 04.2016
Surgical Services Coordinator
Mahaska Health Partnership
06.2009 - 10.2010
Perioperative Registered Nurse
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
08.2005 - 06.2009
Surgical Director
Fillmore County Hospital
03.2005 - Current
Surgical & Orthopedic Technologist
Northland Bone and Joint
11.2002 - 09.2005
Non-Commissioned Officer
Medical Services U.S. Air Force
01.1988 - 09.1994
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - undefined
Central Missouri University
Associate Degree - Applied Science, Surgical Technology
Indian Hills Community College
Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) - undefined
Community College of the Air Force
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - undefined
Master of Health Administration -
University of Phoenix