Karen Tucker

Direct operational oversight of Surgical Services, including workforce planning, staffing, scheduling, resource allocation, and clinical quality initiatives. Lead performance improvement programs and manage regulatory compliance and patient safety initiatives.

Served as educator and operational leader for Same Day Surgery, Endoscopy, and Operating Room services. Led implementation and staff training for a new perioperative management system and DSS platform, and applied LEAN methodologies to improve efficiency.

Rapidly integrated into diverse surgical environments and healthcare systems, supporting various surgical specialties. Oriented and mentored newly hired nurses and assisted with staffing stabilization during workforce shortages.

Directed occupational health programs across multiple domestic and international manufacturing locations. Developed and implemented evidence-based injury prevention, hearing conservation, and COVID-19 response protocols, and generated workforce health data for executive reporting.

Designed and implemented system-wide perioperative education programs, including a six-month operating room residency program for new graduate nurses. Created simulation-based learning and competency validation programs aligned with AORN standards.

Provided leadership as Charge Nurse and Preceptor in a multidisciplinary surgical environment. Led process improvement projects focused on waste reduction, supply standardization, room turnover optimization, and infection prevention.

Completed health informatics training.