Renal Nephrology Dialysis Management Nurse Expert Witness

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Committed Nephrology leader with expertise in regulatory compliance, quality improvement, clinical management in all modalities of dialysis (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis, pediatric dialysis), educational and quality program development with emphasis on patient safety and clinical outcomes, dialysis clinic management, mentoring and team building. Experienced presenter on subjects related to Chronic Kidney Disease, regulatory compliance, leadership, and clinic management. Dedicated professional with an emphasis on improving the care of individuals with chronic illnesses including renal disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Serves on the ESRD Network #14 Board of Directors. Active Leader and Member in multiple Nephrology organizations. Has held leadership roles since 1989 on the Chapter level of American Nephrology Nursing Association and has held National positions on committees as a member or leader since 2002.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

San Antonio, TX
2011 – present
Nephrology Nurse Manager and Advisor
Serves dialysis facilities with federal and state regulatory audits, quality management/improvement, problem solving
Serves as a change agent in projects requiring quality improvement and regulatory compliance in distressed dialysis clinics and hospitals (including hemodialysis and home therapies).
Creates and executes presentations on renal topics, patient safety, and quality improvement.
Team building to promote patient safety, quality of care, and staff satisfaction
Serves as expert advisor in dialysis facility management on clinical and compliance measures
Appointed to the ESRD Network #14 Board of Directors- October 2018

Current and Past Projects include but are not limited to these roles:

Developed a de novo dialysis clinic for a hospital system with successful CMS approval in Dec. 2019. This included an in-center hemodialysis facility with water system and a peritoneal dialysis program.
Successful management of multiple dialysis facilities with (up to ten) condition level violations.
Mock surveyor for dialysis facilities: in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, nocturnal hemodialysis, dialysis treatments inside Long-Term Care facilities.
Anemia Management project for the conversions to Aransep for a medium sized dialysis company
Speaker and trainer for nutritional products for CKD patients
Creation of policy and procedures for a Peritoneal Dialysis Home Program
Worked on a team of medical writers for an educational program for newly hired dialysis staff.
Development of educational tools for dialysis staff and CKD patients
Regulatory compliance review of dialysis providers (CMS and state licensure regulations) including new start-up facilities (PD, HD, and HHD)
Served on the hospital committee for improving out-patient dialysis outcomes and improving compliance with regulatory deficiencies.
Coaching and mentoring on national initiatives including HIPPA, NHSN, and CrownWeb.
Consultant for Network 14 for various clinical projects
Education and training of dialysis personnel and patients
Records review to assess compliance and/or clinical issues that impact the provider’s liability
Legal record reviews
Research investigator

Abbott Laboratories
San Antonio, TX
2003 – 2011
Senior Clinical Specialist – Renal Care Division
Clinical science educator and sales support for disease states including chronic kidney disease and diabetes
Serves as liaison to physicians, nurses, dietitians, administrators of dialysis clinics and hospitals
Provides physician and staff education on an individual and group basis on topics regarding the pathophysiology of Chronic Kidney Disease
Relationship building – served as clinical representative to help troubleshoot issues with product use with all levels of clinicians from physicians to office staff.
Provides program development and coordination of meetings for educational purposes
Creates and executes high impact presentations for groups from 10 – 500 people (titles upon request)
Stays within guidelines including HIPPA, Anti-Bribery, and Anti-Corruption and Kickback laws.
Leadership, problem solving, and mentoring of individuals in all renal settings
Abbott Pioneer Award 2007
All Star Winner (top 5% of company) 2 out of 8 years, All Star Captain 2009 (#1 in Clinical Sales Support)

Fresenius Medical Care
Houston, TX
2000-2003
Regional Quality Manager
Regulatory oversight and implementation of 70+ dialysis clinics in south Texas (hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis)
Performed as a team member and project leader on quality initiatives for the corporation
Management of quality indicators and quality improvement in the 70+ clinics
Communication and presentations of evidenced based practice to support improved clinical outcomes and patient safety
Responsible for oversight of the opening of new hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis clinics
Reviewer and mentor for writing Plans of Correction for facility deficiency statements
Regional Trainer for new software systems and policies impacting quality of patient care
Leadership, problem solving, and mentoring of clinic managers/administrators in the region
Prepared and presented quality management data to physicians, business leaders, and clinic managers.

Texas Department of Health
Houston, TX
1996 – 2000
End Stage Renal Disease Facility Surveyor
Regulatory oversight of dialysis facilities throughout Texas for the state Health Department. This included review of clinical care, water systems, documentation, policy and procedure review, patient and staff interviews, governing body records, etc.
Reviewer of mandated state incident reports and determination of patient safety compliance for over 250 dialysis clinics
Collaboration with the ESRD Network, Medical Review Board, and Centers of Medicare Services
Prepared and presented regulatory data to physicians, administrators, managers, nurses, and other clinicians
Presentations to dialysis providers and personnel in various settings

Clinical Settings

Clinic Manager/Hemodialysis/Peritoneal Dialysis/Pediatric Dialysis/Critical Care/Office Nurse
Gambro Healthcare Corporation (Vivra, Community Dialysis Corporation)
1994 – 1996
Houston, Texas

Texas Children’s Hospital – Pediatric Dialysis
1992 – 1994
Houston, Texas

Plaza Dialysis Inc. – Director of Nurses
1987 – 1992
Houston, Texas

The Methodist Hospital Out-patient Dialysis –Staff to Charge Nurse
1984 – 1987
Houston, Texas

Memorial Northwest Hospital – Critical Care Nurse Houston, Texas
Barnes Jewish Hospital – Staff/Charge/Critical Care Nurse
St. Louis, MO

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s of Science – Human Sciences
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX
Associate of Nursing Degree (RN)
Belleville Area College
Belleville, IL
License
Registered Nurse – State of Texas

Certifications

Certified Nephrology Nurse 1993 – present (27 years)
MEMBERSHIPS
American Nephrology Nurses Association (member since 1989) – Key positions within the organization
Author in a section on Hemodialysis of the Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing April 2020.
Presenter at National Conference 2017, 2019
Member of the Leadership committee 2019-2020 Incoming Chair 2021.
Leader of the Administrative Specialty Practice Network 21015-18
Leader of the VLW Task Force team May 2016-Oct. 2016
Journal Reviewer for the Nephrology Nursing Journal – 2015 – current
Member of the Administrative Specialty Practice Network 2014-18
Chair on Leadership Development Committee 2014-2015 (Chair Designee from 2013-14)
Leader of the Road to Success sub-committee within the Leadership Committee – 2013 – 2014
Winner of the Nurse in Washington Scholarship 2013
Past Chair of the Award and Scholarships Committee
Past member of the Award and Scholarships Committee
Past member of the Conference Planning Committee
Current Chapter Past President – Alamo City #205

ANNA Texas Collaborative Meeting (began in 1998)
Full Committee member 10 of 19 years.
Current secondary committee member (provides Social Networking)
Chair of committee 5 of 19 years
Presenter at the 2013 pre-conference workshop – Title: Red Flag Events in Dialysis Facilities

National Kidney Foundation – member
National Renal Administrators Association – member
American Association of Kidney Patients – professional member, speaker at convention 2008
Renal Support Network – professional member – speaker on Vitamin D in CKD – 2008
People to People Delegation to China (Nephrology Nursing) 2009

PUBLICATIONS
Available on Full CV