Linkedin

Dr. Nigel O. Brown

Quality, Performance and Process Improvement Leader
DBA-Q, MSHQS, MSM, MBB, CLC, CEC

Dr. Nigel O. Brown is an accomplished Improvement Leader whose career spans from the foundations of Process Management and Industrial Engineering to executive leadership roles in Performance and Process Improvement. He has made significant contributions across industries, leading and coaching in six major health systems, over 20 healthcare entities (including two Academic Medical Centers), and 12 high-volume manufacturing facilities nationwide. He currently supports one of the largest health systems in the United States.

Nigel’s passion lies in driving process improvement strategies that elevate both systems and people. His approach blends technical excellence with human-centered leadership—empowering teams to achieve sustainable results. As a certified Executive and Life Coach, he helps leaders strengthen clarity, confidence, and purpose while aligning personal growth with organizational performance.

He has served as an Adjunct Faculty Professor of Operations Management and Process Improvement within a top-ranked Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program, and as a Healthcare Quality and Performance Improvement Coach across South African provinces and universities—experiences that continue to shape his perspective on leadership and transformation.

Beyond his professional roles, Nigel has extended his commitment to improvement and community through philanthropy, service and mentorship. He served on the Board of ACE (ALAQUEST Collaborative for Education), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering students to create positive change through character development and civic engagement, and supports emerging professionals with coaching and mentoring.

Nigel is the principal of two consultancies—Operational Excellence Solutions (OPXLS) and Improvement Theory. Through OPXLS, clients gain tailored strategies to streamline operations and boost quality and efficiency, while Improvement Theory offers personalized coaching and advising to unlock and unleash potential

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.

Improvement Journey

  • Human Resource Organizational Effectiveness Leader

    Healthcare

    Serves as a leadership resource partner to support execution and adoption of key initiatives and improved 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.

    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.

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

    Operational Excellence Solutions (OPXLS) & Improvement Theory

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

    Improvement Theory provides both life and executive coaching to those committed to betterment.

    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.


    2015 - 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.

    2017 - Present

  • Adjunct Faculty Professor

    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 transformation strategies and initiatives within the Adventist Healthcare system of 5 Hospitals (3 acute care, 2 specialty; 600 beds, 6200 employees).

    2012 - 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 - 2012

  • Industrial Engineering Manager

    Stellantis North America

    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.

  • Corporate Process Improvement Consultant

    Stellantis North America

    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).

  • Industrial Engineer

    Stellantis North America

    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.

  • Business Operations Leader

    Stellantis North America

    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.

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

Certificate - Coaching For Continuous Improvement

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 across Innovation, Training, Coaching, and Facilitation. What's truly remarkable is Nigel's readiness to dive in and take ownership without hesitation. Beyond helping me establish various successful programs, including an international Coaching Program, he remains an invaluable, 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, TEDx, and Keynote Speaker
"We hired Nigel to be our inaugural Executive Director of Process Improvement, with the clear mandate to initiate a systemic transformation across our operations. His impact was immediate and long-lasting: he didn't just meet the mandate—he established and rapidly expanded a department that became absolutely pivotal to our ongoing transformation initiatives. Nigel's value is in his execution; he collaborates seamlessly across leadership and delivers results with a remarkable ability to work independently. If you need someone to turn strategic vision into tangible operational success, Nigel is the leader you need."
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.

Quick Links

Social Media

Linkedin

Get In Touch

improve@opxls.com

© 2025 Nigel Brown Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
Designed by LogicKite