Sarah Lazarides, MSN-RN
Del Mar,CA
Summary
Dynamic healthcare executive with 15+ years of progressive leadership across perioperative, interventional, and utilization management services. Proven success in leading large-scale operations, driving strategic growth, and transforming care delivery through innovation, data analytics, and cross-functional collaboration. Adept at navigating union environments, regulatory compliance, and high-stakes clinical operations, while fostering a culture of safety, equity, and excellence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Utilization Management
Kaiser Permanente
San Diego, CA
01.2025 - Current
- Lead utilization strategy across service areas, ensuring timely access to care, and regulatory compliance.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through targeted interventions and performance audits.
- Presented utilization trends at interdisciplinary meetings to improve care coordination.
- Collaborated with analysts to inform strategic planning, and manage high-profile cases.
- Facilitated training programs to enhance team skills and foster professional development.
- Oversaw budget management processes to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
Director, Perioperative Services/ Interim Sterile Processing Department Director
Kaiser Permanente
San Diego, CA
03.2022 - 01.2025
- Directed multi-site sterile processing operations, managing staffing, budgeting, and an 18-month total SPD remodel.
- Directed multi-site perioperative operations, overseeing strategic staffing models, capital budgeting, and equipment lifecycle management.
- Elevated surgical throughput by increasing on-time starts from 80% to 98%, and reducing turnover times from 58 to 37 minutes through Lean process redesign.
- Spearheaded enterprise-wide growth initiatives, and deployed advanced technologies to optimize perioperative workflows.
- Authored and implemented system-wide policies aligned with Joint Commission standards and patient safety goals.
- Achieved a 90% reduction in quality events, decreasing from 120 to fewer than 15 per month across SPD and OR environments.
- Introduced comfort rounding and family engagement initiatives, raising OASCAHPS in patient care experience and care continuum collaboration.
- Managed budget planning and resource allocation for multiple projects simultaneously.
- Analyzed market trends to inform strategic planning and decision-making processes.
- Established partnerships with external organizations to support business objectives.
Executive Director, Perioperative & Interventional Services (Contract)
Providence Medical Center
Burbank, CA
10.2021 - 03.2022
- Oversaw surgical and interventional departments, managing budgets and HR operations.
- Led strategic planning, performance improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Implemented corrective action plans, and drove revenue growth through operational redesign.
- Oversaw budget preparation and financial management processes.
- Implemented policies and procedures for effective governance.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to ensure organizational growth and development.
Interim Director, Surgical & Interventional Services
Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Clackamas, OR
01.2021 - 10.2021
- Managed 287 FTEs across surgical service lines, achieving clinical and financial benchmarks.
- Directed quality and safety initiatives, labor partnerships, and compliance programs.
- Developed integrated business plans across multiple departments and sites.
- Facilitated training sessions to enhance team skills and promote best practices.
- Managed budget allocations for various departments to optimize resource use.
- Reviewed performance metrics regularly to assess project effectiveness and guide strategy adjustments.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
Main & CVOR Nurse Manager
Kaiser Permanente
Clackamas, OR
08.2019 - 10.2021
- Led intraoperative nursing operations and mentored 184 staff members.
- Enhanced infection control, streamlined charting, and improved patient outcomes.
- Coordinated care across surgical teams and support services to ensure seamless patient flow.
- Coordinated patient care plans with interdisciplinary teams for holistic support.
- Oversaw budget management and resource allocation for nursing operations.
- Monitored compliance with healthcare regulations and internal policies effectively.
- Provided ongoing education opportunities for staff regarding changes in policies and procedures.
- Participated in the recruitment, interviewing, selection, orientation of new employees.
- Facilitated communication between physicians, nurses, support services personnel.
- Reviewed patient charts for accuracy and completeness of documentation.
- Assisted with budgeting process by forecasting staffing needs and supplies.
Hospital Administration Supervisor
Kaiser Permanente
Clackamas, OR
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Directed hospital operations during off-hours, managing patient flow, and emergency protocols.
- Acted as incident commander during disaster procedures, and supported decedent affairs.
- Collaborated with departments to optimize staffing and resource allocation.
- Coordinated staff schedules and ensured adequate coverage across departments.
- Managed communication between departments to facilitate efficient service delivery.
PACU & Surgical Prep Nurse Manager
Kaiser Permanente
Clackamas, OR
04.2016 - 08.2018
- Led 55 FTEs with a focus on cross-functional collaboration with anesthesia, perioperative teams, and inpatient departments to improve recovery workflows and reduce PACU bottlenecks.
- Established a multidisciplinary Education Committee to mentor and onboard new employees, enhancing clinical readiness and retention.
- Supervised nursing staff to ensure high-quality patient care delivery.
- Developed and implemented departmental policies and procedures for efficiency.
- Coordinated scheduling and staffing for optimal patient coverage and support.
- Conducted performance evaluations to assess staff skills and competencies.
- Managed budgets to align with operational goals and resource allocation.
- Promoted a positive work environment through effective communication with staff members.
Charge Nurse, Main & Cardiac OR
Kaiser Permanente
Clackamas, OR
10.2010 - 04.2016
- Collaborated with physicians to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Maintained accurate patient records using electronic health record systems.
- Resolved conflicts among team members to promote a positive work environment.
- Served as a preceptor for new nurses by providing orientation to unit policies and procedures, coaching on clinical skills, and mentoring on professional development issues.
- Delegated tasks appropriately among staff members according to their qualifications.
Education
MSN - Leadership Emphasis
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ07.2022
BSN -
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ08.2017
ADN -
Columbia Gorge Community College
OR06.2010
Surgical Technology -
Boise State University
ID05.1998
Skills
- Policy writing
- Budget management
- Data analysis
- Performance auditing
- Strategic planning
- Staffing optimization
- Quality improvement
Rn Licenses
- CA, 95265792, 06/27
- NV, 883572, 05/26
Awards
- Health Care Hero, San Diego Business Journal, 05/24
- Seven Seals Award, Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve, 06/19
Volunteer Leadership
Surgical Nurse Lead, Faces Foundation Medical Missions in Peru, 01/18, 06/24, Led surgical teams in underserved communities, ensuring safe, compassionate care., Advocated for patients, supported families, and maintained OR compliance standards.
Strategic Accomplishments
- Spearheaded surgical care operations during internal disaster response, integrating risk management and health equity to ensure uninterrupted access.
- Deployed innovative technologies to track surgical instrumentation across the San Diego County Service Area, enhancing compliance and operational efficiency.
- Invited Speaker at Kaiser San Diego Patient Safety University, presenting on 'Minding the Gap', highlighting leadership qualities, systematic contributors to patient errors.
- Led reconciliation of over 10,000 tissue logs to ensure full compliance with regulatory standards, exemplifying rigorous operational oversight and quality assurance.
- Championed ERAS protocol enhancements and launched same-day discharge pathways for total shoulder procedures, driving patient-centered innovation.
- Delivered keynote presentation on 'Year of Skin' HAPU prevention initiative at the National Quality Conference, showcasing national leadership in quality improvement.
- Orchestrated union work stoppage contingency planning and surgical continuity strategies, ensuring uninterrupted care delivery during labor disruptions.
- Designed and implemented pediatric MRI workflows and regional nerve block tracking protocols, elevating operational efficiency and clinical safety across service lines.
Timeline
Director, Utilization Management
Kaiser Permanente
01.2025 - Current
Director, Perioperative Services/ Interim Sterile Processing Department Director
Kaiser Permanente
03.2022 - 01.2025
Executive Director, Perioperative & Interventional Services (Contract)
Providence Medical Center
10.2021 - 03.2022
Interim Director, Surgical & Interventional Services
Kaiser Permanente Northwest
01.2021 - 10.2021
Main & CVOR Nurse Manager
Kaiser Permanente
08.2019 - 10.2021
Hospital Administration Supervisor
Kaiser Permanente
08.2018 - 08.2019
PACU & Surgical Prep Nurse Manager
Kaiser Permanente
04.2016 - 08.2018
Charge Nurse, Main & Cardiac OR
Kaiser Permanente
10.2010 - 04.2016
MSN - Leadership Emphasis
Grand Canyon University
BSN -
Grand Canyon University
ADN -
Columbia Gorge Community College
Surgical Technology -
Boise State University
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