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Dr. Nigel O. Brown

Quality, Performance and Process Improvement Leader
DBA-Q, MSHQS, MSM, BS, LSSMBB

Nigel Brown is an accomplished Improvement Leader with a rich professional journey that spans the foundational levels of Process Management and Industrial Engineering to high-level leadership in Operations, Quality and Process Improvement. He has made significant contributions across diverse industries, excelling in various leadership positions. Nigel has led and coached numerous initiatives across six major health systems and over 20 healthcare entities, including two Academic Medical Centers and throughout 12 high-volume manufacturing facilities nationwide. He currently supports one of the top 3 largest health systems in the United States

Nigel’s unwavering passion lies in implementing process improvement strategies while fostering individuals’ development within Quality and Process Improvement.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Nigel extends his commitment to improvement and change through various supporting roles. He serves as a Healthcare Quality and Performance Improvement Coach, extending his expertise across provinces and universities in South Africa. Furthermore, Nigel has shared his knowledge and experience as an Adjunct Faculty Professor of Operations Management and Process Improvement in a top-rated Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program. He currently serves as a Board member for ACE (ALAQUEST Collaborative for Education), a nonprofit with the mission to empower students to effect positive change in their communities by fostering character development and community building. He also enjoys supporting student education and career journeys as a tutor and mentor in Business and Statistics.  Nigel leads the consultancies of Operational Excellence Solutions (OPXLS) and Improvement Theory.

Privileged to provide expertise as an adjunct Professor of Healthcare Operations Management and Process Improvement for The Master of Science in Health Administration program at the University of Alabama Birmingham. The program has been acknowledged for excellence by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education as the winner of the 2019 CAHME/Baylor Scott and White Health Award for Excellence in Quality Improvement Education.

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Improvement Journey

  • Human Resource Organizational Effectiveness Leader

    Healthcare

    Serves as a leadership resource partner to support execution and adoption of key initiatives and improve performance related to talent, culture, quality, and experience. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to identify critical areas for OE initiatives. Develops and manages detailed plans and performs assessments and reviews for strategic and tactical deliverables. Develops and implements strategies, interventions and tools for leaders, to deliver on Strategic Plan priorities and expected outcomes, partnering directly with cross functional teams.

    October 2022 - current

  • Leader of System Optimization and Performance

    University of Texas Medical Branch

    Directed system-wide efforts to initiate, develop and manage a performance and process improvement department driven to change culture using Lean tools and methods within an academic medical center. Assisted the Vice President in advancing strategic data driven opportunities. Supported the development of tactical plans. Conducted process improvement initiatives and coached others in the use of PI disciplines. Identified best practices and provided leadership and education to health system faculty and staff.

    May 2021 - Nov 2022

  • Managing Director - Operational Excellence Solutions (OPXLS) & Improvement Theory

    Operational Excellence Solutions (OPXLS) & Improvement Theory

    OPXLS provides performance and process improvement consulting services in the areas of leadership, coaching, facilitation, and implementation.

    June 2020 - Current

  • Executive Director of Performance Excellence & Clinical Practice Transformation

    University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System
    Directed system-wide efforts to implement an innovative Clinical Practice Transformation program throughout an 1100 bed academic medical center. Coached and led a department of internal consultants to redesign operational structures and facilitate process improvement efforts. Led system-wide innovation efforts to improve operational performance and support the implementation of new programs and processes within one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States. September 2015 - December 2020

  • Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement Coach

    South Africa

    Curriculum co-developer and co-instructor for South African Provinces and Academic Institutions (HDI’s). Here I travel abroad to coach and train healthcare leaders in the areas of Healthcare Management, Innovation, Quality, Safety, and Performance Improvement. Some of the institutions served are Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, University of Limpopo, Walter Sisulu University and Provinces of Mpumalanga, Kwazulu Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape.

    July 2017 - Present

  • Adjunct Faculty Instructor

    HA 606: Operations Management and Process Improvement. UAB School of Health Professions

    Taught and covered topics that support the improvement of healthcare operations, including patient flow, quality (concepts and mechanics), and process improvement in the #1 rated MSHA program in the U.S.

    January 2018 - December 2019

  • Program Manager, Operational Excellence

    Adventist Healthcare
    Lead and directed Lean transformation strategies and initiatives within the Adventist Healthcare system of 5 Hospitals (3 acute care, 2 specialty; 600 beds, 6200 employees). September 2012 - September 2015

  • Senior Strategic Process Improvement Consultant

    Inova Health System
    Organized, implemented, and managed PI and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies within the five acute care hospitals of Inova Health System. (5 acute care hospitals; 1700 beds, 17000 employees). 2008 - August 2012

  • Industrial Engineering Manager

    Chrysler Group LLC

    Managed an organization of twelve industrial engineers in developing, establishing, and maintaining efficient direct and indirect engineering work standards along with special projects.
    Led plant Lean manufacturing efforts to achieve corporate Balanced Scorecard targets relative to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale.

    August 2005 - May 2008

  • Corporate Process Improvement Implementation Specialist/Consultant

    Chrysler Corporate Headquarters
    Implementation Specialist (Quality and Lean PI Consultant to manufacturing facilities). Responsible for working with numerous assembly plant product platforms and staff to implement and train plant personnel on Lean Manufacturing concepts and implementation. Extensive training and application in Toyota Production System (TPS). 2002 -2005

  • Industrial Engineer Direct / Indirect Labor Productivity

    Chrysler Corporation

    Facilitated engineering initiatives through process design and utilization of efficient labor standards for workforce optimization. Utilized industrial engineering methods of time and motion studies, standard work instruction development, ergonomic assessment, production, planning and control, financial analysis, budgeting, inventory control, and value stream analysis.

    June 2000 - June 2002

  • Business Operations Leader

    Chrysler Corporation
    Managed departmental zones of up to 350 employees in a 2.5 million sq. ft., high-volume production facility. Responsible for the successful achievement of all metrics related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale June 1998 - June 2000

Certifications

Graduate Certificate in
Healthcare Quality and Safety

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Issued December 2016

Lean Six Sigma
Master Blackbelt

Villanova School of Business
Issued May 2010
Credential ID VILC115275

Leadership Certificate in
Healthcare Innovation

UAB Medicine
Issued Nov 2017

LEI Certificate in Creating
Lean Management Systems

Lean Enterprise Institute
Issued June 2014

Coaching for Continuous Improvement - Certification

Strategic Organizational
Leadership

Villanova University
Issued August 2010

Project Management

Villanova University
Issued May 2010

"Nigel is an experienced leader and change agent in Quality, Performance and Process Improvement in both the healthcare and manufacturing sectors"

"Inspiring people and improving processes is Nigel’s passion."

ACE

Alaquest Collaborative for Education

Testimonials

I first connected with Nigel in 2016, and since then, I've consistently relied on him for substantial assistance in the realms of Innovation, Training, Coaching, and Facilitation. Nigel's readiness to dive in without hesitation has been remarkable. Beyond helping me establish various programs, including an international Coaching Program, he remains an invaluable asset and a guiding force in the domains of Innovation and Improvement.
Dr. Rubin Pillay
PhD, MD, MBA, MSc, BSc (Hon) Pharm
Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean, Chief Innovation Officer, Medical Futurist, TedEx and Keynote Speaker
We brought Nigel on board as the inaugural Executive Director of Process Improvement for our Academic Medical Center, initiating a systemic approach to our operations. Under his leadership, he not only established but also expanded a department pivotal to our ongoing transformation initiatives. Nigel demonstrated seamless collaboration with other leaders and exhibited a remarkable ability to work independently with minimal guidance
David Randall
Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development
University of Alabama - Birmingham
Facilitating a Clinical Practice Transformation Session
Recent Member of the National Press Ganey Performance and Process Improvement Advisory Board
Coaching and facilitating Healthcare leaders at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital Mthatha South Africa
Leading a Value Stream Mapping session at Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital Lean Coaching Session Mthatha, South Africa.

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