Specific to the institution's outpatient operations, a common theme was that the faculty need to be more actively engaged in the implementation of operational improvements. As Dean Madara has explained before, "A faculty-driven practice plan, by definition, has faculty leading the implementation of major initiatives." In this context, the role of Faculty Director of Ambulatory Operations was created in late 2005 with the objective to identify and facilitate implementation of improvements in ambulatory operations, of which the recommendations from the task forces are to be integrated.

Each clinical department chairman selected one Director to serve as a Faculty Director of Ambulatory Operations with protected time from the Practice Plan. As many clinical departments have PDP directors, this role will be responsible for interfacing with those individuals to implement change. Individuals in this role have formed a leadership group chaired by Harvey Golomb, M.D., Dean of Clinical Affairs. Dr. Golomb explains that "This is a great forum for faculty to shape operational improvements that not only will result in a better practice environment, but also result in a better experience for our patients and referring physicians."

The group met for the first time in January and continues to meet on a monthly basis. Group meetings are designed to share best practices within the practice along with brainstorming and prioritizing issues to address. As necessary, the group interfaces with other project teams and initiatives such as the implementation of the electronic medical record (Phoenix). Examples of areas where Faculty Directors feel they can impact positive change include encouraging more open scheduling, leveraging technology such as the scheduling system to facilitate improved clinic communication and patient flow, implementing standard processes to accurately collect and retain referring physician information, and determining appropriate appointment access standards and measurement of wait time for appointments.

In addition to the standing meetings, various "Lunch and Learn" sessions are available to the Faculty Directors to help gain a deeper understanding of specific operational issues, along with providing a set of tools to help implement change. Examples of topics include developing key operational metrics, introduction to the Epic scheduling system, strategies to improve appointment access, and transcription.

The Faculty Directors of Ambulatory Operations are: Anesthesia - Allan Klock, M.D.; Medicine - Edward Garrity, M.D.; Neurology - Un Jung Kang, M.D.; OB/GYN - Samir Hajj, M.D.; Ophthalmology - Mike Saidel, M.D.; Pediatrics - Lucy Lester, M.D.; Psychiatry - Daniel Yohanna, M.D.; Radiation Oncology - Daniel Haraf, M.D.; Radiology - David Paushter, M.D.; Surgery - Charles Brendler, M.D. Faculty that have improvement ideas are encouraged to share them any of the Directors.

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DEVELOPMENT
Recent Awards and Grants Information for Biological Sciences Division Faculty

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Recent Awards and Grants Information for Biological Sciences Division Faculty

ACCOLADES
Recent Awards and Grants Information for Biological Sciences Division Faculty

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