Athena H. Chapin
Madison
Summary
A seasoned healthcare executive with a career in nursing spanning over 19 years. Proven track record in driving initiatives and fostering a culture of excellence. Expertise in implementing quality management systems and leading cross-functional teams to achieve regulatory compliance. Demonstrated ability to enhance operational efficiency and ensure customer satisfaction through strategic quality control measures.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Quality Officer
Merit Health River Oaks Hospital and Merit Health Woman’s Hospital
05.2024 - Current
- Responsible for designing, implementing, and managing the quality assurance and patient safety programs across two facilities
- Proficiency with managing priorities and meeting goals set by local, regional, and corporate leadership
- Collaborate with clinical leaders to develop and implement new quality improvement initiatives aligned with the organization’s strategic goals resulting in a 40% increase in overall performance metrics in the first year
- Ensured compliance with all relevant healthcare regulations and accreditation standards including leading two successful Joint Commission Surveys with no conditional findings and a CMS survey with no findings
- Responsible for ten direct reports and oversight of the facility’s quality assurance, patient safety, risk management and infection prevention programs as well as medical staff, and all accreditation programs
Director of Quality & Risk Management, Facility Compliance Officer
Merit Health Madison
03.2018 - 05.2024
- Company Overview: Canton, MS
- Designed, implemented, and managed the organization’s quality assurance, performance improvement, and patient safety programs
- Improved the CMS star rating from two stars to four stars
- Introduced the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and achieved a Safety Grade of A
- Launched an Employee Leadership Council that contributed to positive change throughout the facility and ultimately increased employee satisfaction scores
- Proven success with a proactive approach to risk management as identified by zero serious safety events
- Implementation and oversight of regulatory compliance initiatives and continuous survey readiness activities resulting in multiple successful surveys
- Assisted with safely closing a Labor and Delivery Unit by designing and implementing protocols for the care of pregnant patients presenting to the Emergency Department
- Participated in opening a swing bed unit of the hospital by initiating policies and procedures to align with state and federal regulations
- Recruited and negotiated a lease agreement with a wound management company to align with the facility’s strategic initiatives
- Communicated quality and safety improvement projects, goals, and opportunities with Executive Leaders, Medical Staff, and the Board of Trustees
- Canton, MS
Quality Coordinator
Merit Health Madison
08.2016 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: Canton, MS
- Responsible for managing hospital-wide and medical staff quality review processes
- Oversight of the data collection process for invasive procedures, blood usage, mortality review, and special targeted studies or research in accordance with quality improvement standards and procedures
- Conduct regular inspections and audits to identify deviations from quality standards and initiate corrective actions
- Assist with regulatory compliance initiatives and monitor for continuous accreditation survey readiness
- Canton, MS
Wound Care Nurse & Diabetes Educator
Merit Health River Oaks Hospital
06.2014 - 08.2016
- Company Overview: Flowood, MS
- Responsible for policy and protocol development related to wound care management
- Coordinate with a multidisciplinary team to create a patient centered plan of care
- Provide education and guidance to staff nurses on the prevention and management of wounds
- Provide treatment to patients for the prevention and management of wounds
- Provide diabetes education to patients
- Flowood, MS
Ambulatory plastic surgery staff nurse
Runnells Clinic
08.2012 - 06.2014
- Cross-trained to work as needed in the preoperative area, post-anesthesia care unit, and as an operating room circulator
Labor & Delivery Staff Nurse
Merit Health Woman’s Hospital
06.2006 - 06.2014
- Company Overview: Flowood, MS
- Responsible for the care of patients during all stages of pregnancy and labor
- Circulating and recovery for patients undergoing cesarean sections
- Cross-trained in other hospital departments including postpartum and nursery
- Flowood, MS
Education
Masters of Science - Healthcare Administration
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing
05.2023
Associate of Science - Nursing
Alcorn State University
05.2006
Skills
- Operational excellence
- Customer focus
- Six sigma methodologies
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Relationship building
- Goal setting
- Training and development
- Problem-solving
- Effective multitasking
Professional Organizations
- National Association for Healthcare Quality, 2018, present
- American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, 2018, present
Community Service
Member of the Young Professionals Steering Committee for the Madison County Business League Board of Trustees, 2018, 2024
Licensure Certifications
- Registered Nurse, Mississippi, 06/01/06, present
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement Basic Certification, 04/01/22
- Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification, 04/01/22
Timeline
Chief Quality Officer
Merit Health River Oaks Hospital and Merit Health Woman’s Hospital
05.2024 - Current
Director of Quality & Risk Management, Facility Compliance Officer
Merit Health Madison
03.2018 - 05.2024
Quality Coordinator
Merit Health Madison
08.2016 - 03.2018
Wound Care Nurse & Diabetes Educator
Merit Health River Oaks Hospital
06.2014 - 08.2016
Ambulatory plastic surgery staff nurse
Runnells Clinic
08.2012 - 06.2014
Labor & Delivery Staff Nurse
Merit Health Woman’s Hospital
06.2006 - 06.2014
Associate of Science - Nursing
Alcorn State University
Masters of Science - Healthcare Administration
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing
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