Sam Perkins
West Branch,IA
Summary
Business faculty member and operations leader with expertise in applied ethics, professional responsibility, process improvement, and leadership development. Background includes healthcare operations management, patient advocacy, corporate compliance collaboration, and executive-level data reporting. Experienced in teaching ethical communication, inclusion, and responsible decision-making to undergraduate business students.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Communication Professor
University of Iowa—Tippie College of Business
Iowa City, IA
01.2022 - Current
- Teach undergraduate business students ethical communication, stakeholder analysis, & professional responsibility
- Integrate applied ethics and corporate social responsibility principles into case based writing and presentation assignments
- Guide students in evaluating business claims, evidence credibility, and the ethical implications of organizational messaging
- Assess written and oral communication for clarity, strategic alignment, and ethical accountability
- Teach persuasive communication strategies grounded in audience analysis, logic, and evidence
- Coach students on argument construction, message framing, and stakeholder influence
- Presented peer-reviewed pedagogy at the Association for Business Communication Annual Conference (Long Beach, CA) on a comprehensive scenario-based “Professional Journey” curriculum centered on ethical leadership and applied business decision-making
- Designed and delivered an overload Business Writing course while maintaining a full teaching load
- Guide students in evaluating accuracy, bias, and ethical implications of AI-assisted business communication
- Elevated from adjunct to full-time Assistant Professor of Practice in Jan 2024 based on instructional performance and impact
Patient Advocate Specialist
Mercy Hospital
Iowa City, IA
06.2022 - 01.2024
- Directed patient experience and stakeholder advocacy initiatives to ensure ethical, respectful, and standards-aligned care practices
- Investigated and mediated complex cases involving service failures, communication breakdowns, and perceived ethical concerns
- Partnered with clinical leadership to resolve issues impacting patient trust, satisfaction, and institutional accountability
- Collaborated with Compliance and administrative leadership on cases involving regulatory standards and professional conduct
- Analyzed patient satisfaction and experience data to identify systemic risks and recommend operational or behavioral improvements
- Prepared and delivered executive-level reports translating stakeholder feedback into actionable organizational insights
- Facilitated resolution strategies balancing patient needs, provider considerations, and institutional policy constraints
- Strengthened cross-departmental relationships to promote a culture of service excellence and professional responsibility
Quality & Operations Improvement Engineer
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
07.2020 - 06.2022
- Led process improvement initiatives supporting long-term operational sustainability and service effectiveness
- Designed and delivered organizational development programming emphasizing professional responsibility, communication effectiveness, and service excellence
- Facilitated training for nurses & physicians on stakeholder communication, behavioral standards, & experience driven care models
- Developed and implemented measurement systems using Qualtrics and patient satisfaction data to assess initiative effectiveness
- Compiled and presented executive-level reports translating operational and experience metrics into actionable recommendations
- Partnered with clinical and administrative leadership to align improvement strategies with institutional priorities and policy objectives
- Created instructional and operational resources supporting leadership development and practice standardization
Patient Access Manager—Patient Access Center
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
12.2018 - 07.2020
- Directed scheduling operations across multiple specialty clinics to optimize workflow, provider capacity, and patient access
- Led performance management, coaching, and professional development of 19 staff members
- Monitored operational metrics and implemented process adjustments to improve efficiency, service levels, and resource utilization
- Analyzed call patterns, scheduling demand, and throughput constraints to balance workload distribution and staffing needs
- Prepared and delivered data-driven presentations to executive and clinic leadership supporting operational decision-making
- Drove continuous improvement initiatives enhancing service quality and leadership effectiveness
Clinic Operations Manager—Scott Boulevard
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
06.2018 - 12.2018
- Provided operational leadership for two outpatient clinics comprising 31 multidisciplinary staff members, including nurses, medical assistants, and clerical personnel
- Partnered with project management teams to support the launch of the institution's first Urgent Care clinic, coordinating workflow design and operational readiness
- Balanced competing operational constraints, stakeholder expectations, and performance targets in managerial decision-making
- Analyzed clinic utilization, staffing models, and workflow processes to improve efficiency, patient throughput, and resource allocation
- Implemented process improvements to optimize clinic performance and align operations with budgetary targets
- Directed supply chain and resource management activities to ensure continuity of care and cost control
- Contributed to departmental strategic planning initiatives supporting clinical growth and operational effectiveness
- Ensured staff deployment and workflow structures supported top-of-scope practice and service quality objectives
- Balanced service quality, operational efficiency, and financial constraints in day-to-day management decisions
Urology Clinic Manager
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
11.2016 - 06.2018
- Directed daily clinic operations, workflow coordination, and performance optimization within a high-demand specialty practice
- Identified operational inefficiencies and implemented process improvements to enhance patient flow, scheduling effectiveness, and resource utilization
- Partnered with project management teams on workflow redesign and access initiatives with broader institutional impact
- Balanced service quality, operational constraints, and financial considerations in departmental decision-making
- Evaluated patient satisfaction and service data to diagnose systemic issues and drive targeted improvement strategies
- Led hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management of frontline staff
- Collaborated with clinical leadership to align operational practices with departmental and institutional priorities
- Monitored scheduling patterns and capacity metrics to optimize provider access and clinic efficiency
- Applied data-informed decision-making to improve clinic performance and stakeholder experience
Support Services Specialist - Lead
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Coralville, IA
11.2014 - 11.2016
- Coordinated patient scheduling and appointment management across multiple outpatient clinics within a high-volume operational environment
- Served as floor lead providing guidance, workflow support, and real-time problem resolution
- Delivered training and onboarding for new staff on scheduling systems, procedures, and service standards
- Ensured adherence to institutional scheduling protocols and operational accuracy requirements
- Provided feedback to supervisors on workflow challenges and operational improvement opportunities
Revenue Cycle Representative
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Iowa City, IA
02.2014 - 11.2014
- Resolved billing and claims inquiries through detailed analysis of financial records, insurance data, and account activity
- Interpreted institutional financial policies to communicate obligations and resolution pathways to patients and stakeholders
- Identified discrepancies in claims and payment activity, initiating corrective actions and follow-up processes
- Maintained accuracy and integrity of financial transactions across multiple information systems
- Collaborated with internal departments to investigate and resolve complex account issues
- Processed payments and reconciled account activity in accordance with institutional controls and procedures
Health Care Financial Consultant
Brighton Consulting Group
Coralville, IA
11.2012 - 01.2014
- Independently managed financial billing records and account reconciliation for multiple long-term care facilities
- Collected, analyzed, and validated high-volume financial and claims data to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Communicated with providers, insurers, and government agencies to resolve discrepancies and payment issues
- Identified patterns and irregularities in financial data, providing feedback to management on potential risks and trends
- Consistently met reporting deadlines within a multi-client, fast-paced consulting environment
Education
Masters of Business Administration - Certificate in Leadership
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA05-2021
Masters of Science - College Student Personnel
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL05-2011
Bachelors of Arts - History and Minor in Sociology
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA05-2009
Skills
Stakeholder Communication and Persuasion
Operations and Process Improvement Applied Business Ethics and Ethical Decision Frameworks
Leadership Development and Performance Coaching
Data-Informed Decision-Making
Professional Writing and Presentation Development
AI Literacy and Ethical Use in Business Communication
Teaching Experience
University of Iowa – Tippie College of Business
Business Communication and Professionalism - BUS:3000
Business Writing - BUS:3800
CIMBA Italy - Pieve del Grappa (May2026-June 2026)
Business Writing - BUS:3800
Conference Presentations
Association for Business Communication Annual Conference
October 2025 – Long Beach, CA
Presented peer-reviewed pedagogy on a scenario-driven “Professional Journey” curriculum integrating ethical decision-making, professional responsibility, and applied business judgment.
Timeline
Patient Advocate Specialist
Mercy Hospital
06.2022 - 01.2024
Business Communication Professor
University of Iowa—Tippie College of Business
01.2022 - Current
Quality & Operations Improvement Engineer
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
07.2020 - 06.2022
Patient Access Manager—Patient Access Center
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
12.2018 - 07.2020
Clinic Operations Manager—Scott Boulevard
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
06.2018 - 12.2018
Urology Clinic Manager
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
11.2016 - 06.2018
Support Services Specialist - Lead
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
11.2014 - 11.2016
Revenue Cycle Representative
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
02.2014 - 11.2014
Health Care Financial Consultant
Brighton Consulting Group
11.2012 - 01.2014
Masters of Science - College Student Personnel
Western Illinois University
Bachelors of Arts - History and Minor in Sociology
The University of Iowa
Masters of Business Administration - Certificate in Leadership
The University of Iowa