Wendy Otten
Nursing Leadership
Gilbert,AZ
Summary
Experienced nursing director with a focus on emergency medicine and trauma. Led multiple Level I Trauma adult hospitals through successful ACS and State visits. Skilled decision maker in high-pressure situations, adept at adapting to new technology. Responsible for research goals, program policies, and procedures. Capable of handling difficult situations and diverse individuals, including executive leadership, physicians, nursing staff, EMS, and law enforcement. Proactive approach ensures team members have necessary knowledge and resources. Strong time management and organizational skills with keen attention to detail. Able to identify needs, explore alternatives, and implement effective solutions. Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities for collaboration at all levels.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Trauma Program Manager
HonorHealth
Scottsdale, Arizona
02.2023 - Current
- Led a successful 2024 Adult Level I trauma center re-designation and reverification for Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center. This visit was recognized by the state as the strongest ACS/State visit thus far with the new 2022 standards.
- Was awarded the first inaugural Level I Trauma Program Manger award for the state of Arizona.
- Working closely with the MVMC trauma team during the transition change to improve their trauma quality metrics and build their performance improvement efforts.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement within the trauma program, fostering innovation and collaboration among team members, including the Osborn VP, CNO, Hospital Nursing Directors, Transfer Center, Network Quality, Network Medical Staff Services, and out of network partners. The collaborative work included trauma re-admissions, VAP's, CAUTI's, unplanned returns to ICU, SBIRT and ITSS metrics, Trauma Volume, LOS, and more.
- Currently operating as the co-chair of the network trauma operational collaborative committee, and the network trauma executive collaborative committee.
- Principal investigator in a network trauma research publication.
- Was recognized as a top 5 leader in 2024 at SOMC for employee engagement scores.
- No employee turnover in 2024.
- Successfully led the trauma program through multiple, and difficult leadership changes while in the ACS/State reporting year.
- Led community outreach initiatives at the network level in fall prevention by being the first/only master trainer in an evidenced based program and mentored others under my license.
- Led monthly meetings with nursing directors and CNO to focus on trauma/shared hospital quality metrics while fostering collaborative partnerships.
- Handled all escalated issues that were referred from Quality, Risk, and Executive Leadership.
- Ability to work long hours under stress and maintain a professional demeanor.
- Skilled in dealing with complex and difficult internal and external customer situations, always ensuring that the problem is resolved in a timely manner.
- Personable and articulate; exceptional communication skills in dealing with staff, colleagues, and all levels of upper management.
- Works closely with the EMS Liaison and EMS Medical Director to develop and maintain relationships with EMS.
East Valley Trauma/Emergency Manag. Director, TPM
Dignity Health
Chandler, Arizona
11.2016 - 11.2022
- Led the hospital in two successful, consecutive ACS and State visits, with no deficiencies noted. My role being cited as a strength in the formal report.
- Developed, and led the business development plan for Mercy Gilbert's Level III Trauma Center Designation.
- Developed and led the surge capacity and hospital COVID -19 plans at East Valley Dignity Health during the pandemic, which eventually was adopted by the east valley AZ division. This included temporarily taking on Dignity East Valley mask fittings.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Successful in ensuring that Trauma Services and Emergency Management had back-to-back successful Joint Commission Accreditations at Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center surveys during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Directly involved in evaluating and analyzing drill downs of ACS TQIP quality reports to ensure safe and optimal patent care and outcomes.
- Developed, planned, and operationalized performance improvement initiatives utilizing collaborative efforts across hospital wide nursing departments, ancillary service lines, physician groups, and hospital quality to decrease hospital events and improve patient outcomes.
- Academic Research: Oversaw and supported the Trauma Residency partnering with the military.
- Directly involved in staff hiring, performance appraisals, and employee coaching and development.
- Monitored patient feedback and actively participated in completing event reports and action plans to mitigate risks and patient complaints.
- Ensured all clinical procedures/standards were followed to ensure patient safety, comfort, and quality
- Fiscally responsible, responsible for meeting the annual trauma budget and Prop 202 report submission.
- Responsible for developing and implementing practice care guidelines
- Oversaw Trauma Registry.
- Worked closely with the EMS Liaison and EMS Medical Director to develop and maintain relationships with EMS and transfer facilities in the service area.
- Knowledgeable and ensured compliance with all state, ACS, and TJC rules and regulations
- Participated in a variety of meetings with executive leadership and nursing and ancillary directors including Trauma Peer Review, Trauma TOPIC, Trauma Steering, and Trauma Research Collaborative.
- Responsible for organizing and being an innovative leader within the community in regard to developing and implementing outreach and injury prevention programs
- Acts as a State Consultant for Trauma Center Verifications.
- Served as a board member for Maricopa Suicide Mortality Review Committee.
- Served on the Society of Trauma Nurses Geriatric Trauma Committee at the national level.
- Past Executive Board member for AMSAF (Arizona Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Foundation).
- Ability to work long hours under stress and maintain a professional demeanor
- Skilled in dealing with complex and difficult external and internal customer situations, always ensuring that the problem is resolved in a timely manner.
- Personable and articulate; exceptional communication skills in dealing with staff, colleagues, and all levels of upper management
ER RN, ER Charge RN, ER Manager
Chandler Regional Medical Center
Chandler, Arizona
03.2006 - 10.2016
- Directly involved in staff performance appraisals, employee coaching and development, and hiring new staff. Worked closely with doctors, surgeons, and medical staff to provide high-quality, safe care for patients while promoting a safe and HRO environment at a busy ED/Level I Trauma Center that saw approximately 70,000 ED patients annually.
- Responsible for supervising a Level 1 Trauma/Emergency Department.
- Daily focus on length of stay, quality indicators, LWOT's, patient satisfaction and safety, hourly rounding, auditing charts, directing ED/trauma/stroke throughput, and strategic planning on ED holds during high census timeframes.
- Ensure that patients receive safe, high-quality, and timely care by acting as a resource, coach, and mentor to staff.
- Promote high morale and professional development by providing timely and specific feedback regarding performance and patient care.
- Responsible for patient needs, education, assessments, admissions, transfers, and discharges.
- Caring for patients of all ages, on multiple cardiac drips, respiratory ventilators, and paralytics.
- Assisting with the design, teaching, and implementation of Cerner computerized charting in the Emergency Department.
- Chair of Trauma Documentation Committee, Fall Conference Committee, and the EDM Task Force.
- Actively involved in the Public Citizen Academy and the ASCEND program.
- Chaired ER Shared Governance Committee for several years
- Worked closely with doctors and medical staff to provide high-quality care for patients while promoting a safe environment.
- Chaired many different and successful projects involving trauma center designation, split flow process, length of stay, door to doctor time 15 minute metric, ED expansion, and more.
Education
ADN of Applied Science - Nursing Science
Maricopa Community Colleges - Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 08.2000 - 05.2004
BSN - Nursing Science
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ 09.2006 - 12.2008
Skills
Clinical leadership, including training and mentorship
Strategic planning
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Performance improvement and patient safety
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Operations, including management and efficiency
Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
Certification
CEN certified
Accomplishments
- 2015 Principles of Behavior Award
- 2022 AMSAF Visionary Award
2024 Level I Trauma Program Manager award for the state of Arizona.
Inaugural award.
Timeline
Trauma Program Manager
HonorHealth
02.2023 - Current
East Valley Trauma/Emergency Manag. Director, TPM
Dignity Health
11.2016 - 11.2022
BSN - Nursing Science
Grand Canyon University
09.2006 - 12.2008
ER RN, ER Charge RN, ER Manager
Chandler Regional Medical Center
03.2006 - 10.2016
ADN of Applied Science - Nursing Science
Maricopa Community Colleges - Scottsdale Community College
08.2000 - 05.2004
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