Sahar M. Qashqai
Portland
Summary
Seasoned leader with a record of strategic leadership in high-pressure environments. Possess strong skills in team management, operational efficiency, and business development. Demonstrated ability to identify growth opportunities and drive revenue increase through innovative strategies. Significant impact realized in previous roles through improved processes and enhanced team performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Vice President, Quality & Strategy
UTHealth Houston
Houston
12.2022 - Current
- Lead the development and implementation of evaluation and accountability metrics for government waiver projects, grants, and other quality improvement programs
- Oversee clinical quality initiatives for the clinical practice of UTHealth Medical School with a focus on programs that increase access to primary and specialty care, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of care, and reduce healthcare costs using a patient centered approach
- Manage the Healthcare Transformation Initiatives department overseeing 140+ staff and a $70+ million annual budget
- Provide operational oversight for UT Physicians Nurse Triage Line and the Wellness/Community Outreach teams
- Serve as executive stakeholder for the Center for Population Health Management and Quality which seeks to optimize health outcomes through continuous quality improvement and population health management
Executive Director
Healthcare Transformation Initiatives (HTI)
12.2018 - 12.2022
- Led the operational planning and execution of clinical development activities, strategic initiatives, and innovative services related to the implementation of the Texas Incentives for Physician and Professional Services (a Medicaid 1115 Waiver Directed Payment Program)
- Responsible for the annual goal-based achievement of approximately $250 million in program metrics and milestones across all facilities
- Developed and implemented a telehealth program used across the university
- Participated in state level workgroups such as the Health and Human Services Physician DPP – Exploratory Workgroup as well as the Governor’s COVID-19 Strikeforce
Director
HTI
01.2017 - 11.2018
- Oversaw all initiatives related to the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program created under the Texas 1115 Medicaid Waiver and the Network Access Improvement Program (NAIP)
- Championed and oversaw the transition of 11 primary and multispecialty clinics from traditional models of care to NCQA certified Patient Centered Medical Homes
- Collaborated with quality and planning committees to develop process improvement strategies pertaining to newly developed DSRIP goals
- Worked with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and third-party auditing groups to submit, validate, and audit bi-annual reporting
Assistant Director
HTI
10.2015 - 12.2016
- Coordinate initiatives related to the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program created under the Texas 1115 Medicaid Waiver and the Network Access Improvement Program (NAIP)
- Responsible for supervision and management of the project team during the planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation process for 22 DSRIP and 10 NAIP projects
- Work with department and other quality committees to set project goals and develop strategy along with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Partner with other providers throughout the region and the state to achieve mutual project goals associated with program initiatives
- Served as Interim Director from November 2015 – January 2016 and April – December 2016
Project Manager II, Area supervisor
HTI
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Responsible for direct supervision and management of project implementation team
- Managed the 1115 Waiver process for bi-annual project reporting and documentation
- Liaison for regional and statewide leadership such as Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Project Manager I
UT Physicians (Insperity)
Houston
06.2013 - 08.2014
- Responsible for the development, implementation and management of four DSRIP projects including oversight of day-to-day activities, budget formulation, long and short-term strategic planning, and quality improvement
- Coordinated and worked with leadership on maintenance, reporting and analysis of projects
Graduate Research Assistant
UTHealth School of Public Health
Houston
01.2013 - 06.2013
- Conducted a gap assessment for UT Physicians identifying the patient populations to be targeted for development of a Patient Navigator program as well as a needs assessment identifying specialty services to be expanded at community-based clinics in targeted service areas
Project Intern, Heart Center
Texas Children’s Hospital
Houston
08.2012 - 12.2012
- Coordinated the development of an animation project between Texas Children’s Hospital Heart Center and developers based in Australia
- Developed scripts for heart center processes, coordinated schedules of actors, provided visual documentation of exam rooms, hospital interior/exterior, and equipment used
Assistant Operations Manager
Legacy One Group
Houston
03.2011 - 10.2012
- Assisted operations manager with daily operations of the sales representatives, investment consultants and supervisory staff including monitoring staffing, scheduling accuracy, client relations, and marketing projects
- Oversaw, prepared and managed distribution of reports, consolidated financial statements, government and SEC required reports and assigned special projects
- Drafted memos and letters to clients, affiliated firms, and representatives
- Assisted in formulating plans and procedures to implement changes in reporting requirements
Project Intern
Women’s Services Department, Pavilion for Women
05.2012 - 08.2012
- Served as a liaison and project manager in development and coordination of the Infusion Suite, including creation of scheduling templates and patient workflows
- Assisted in creation of a quality dashboard providing monthly measurements of performance
- Assisted with budget formulation, prepared presentations and spreadsheets outlining employee volume and efficiency
- Researched and assessed the applicability of state and federal funding for women’s services programs
Assistant Business Manager
Galisteo ObGyn
Santa Fe
08.2009 - 07.2010
- Finalized the transition from paper to electronic medical records
- Coordinated technical support for physicians adjusting to use of electronic medical record and billing processes
- Oversaw billing and coordinated scheduling of physicians, nurses and administrative staff
Business Office Operations Intern
06.2009 - 08.2009
- Assisted with the transition from paper to electronic medical records
- Coordinated schedules of providers, schedulers, and administrative staff
- Shadowed the primary physician and business manager during encounters with insurance providers, hospital representatives and patients
Program Manager
Team Primetime
Los Angeles
05.2006 - 06.2009
- Prepared materials to raise funds for after school programs for at-risk youth
- Researched, identified, and prepared proposals for donors and coordinated fundraising events
- Scheduled and designed programs for after school and summer programs for children ages 7-18
Education
Master of Public Health - Healthcare Management
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Houston, TX05.2013
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, cum laude - Political Science
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05.2009
Certification
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Languages
Farsi
Limited
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate Vice President, Quality & Strategy
UTHealth Houston
12.2022 - Current
Executive Director
Healthcare Transformation Initiatives (HTI)
12.2018 - 12.2022
Director
HTI
01.2017 - 11.2018
Assistant Director
HTI
10.2015 - 12.2016
Project Manager II, Area supervisor
HTI
09.2014 - 09.2015
Project Manager I
UT Physicians (Insperity)
06.2013 - 08.2014
Graduate Research Assistant
UTHealth School of Public Health
01.2013 - 06.2013
Project Intern, Heart Center
Texas Children’s Hospital
08.2012 - 12.2012
Project Intern
Women’s Services Department, Pavilion for Women
05.2012 - 08.2012
Assistant Operations Manager
Legacy One Group
03.2011 - 10.2012
Assistant Business Manager
Galisteo ObGyn
08.2009 - 07.2010
Business Office Operations Intern
06.2009 - 08.2009
Program Manager
Team Primetime
05.2006 - 06.2009
Master of Public Health - Healthcare Management
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, cum laude - Political Science
University of Southern California