SYLVIA WONG-KATHOL

Design and implement a workforce strategy to recruit 500 internationally educated clinicians and physicians (IEHPS) into Alberta health services clinical operations in partnership with AIMGA, Medical Affairs, Nursing and Allied Health provincial portfolios. Responsible for a $10M grant

• Work closely with leadership to strategically balance operational needs with patient satisfaction and organizational priorities
• Provide expert counsel to senior leaders and make sound decisions under pressure
• Work in partnership with government ministries and healthcare providers to lead system wide changes
• Develop responsive governance structures, membership and terms of reference
• Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
• Negotiate with talent management and unions to ensure compliance with regulatory standards
• Delegate responsibilities to the team to address needs assessments and project goals
• Brief Executive Director ministerial updates and identify risks and solutions
• Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
• Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.
• Identified program obstacles and communicated possible impacts to team.
• Utilized data-driven decision-making approaches to inform strategy development and optimize outcomes.
• Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
• Delivered high-quality results by setting performance metrics and monitoring progress against targets.
• Coached anf Spearheaded innovative problem-solving techniques that addressed challenges head-on, resulting in effective resolution measures.
• Championed best practices in project management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.

Operational leadership position accountable for clinical operations in delivery of post-acute services across Calgary zone

• Managed a team of 87 union clinician (AUPE-GSS, UNA, HSAA) to deliver inpatient and outpatient clinical services and responsible for all administration duties related to workforce and talent management and fiscal reporting
• Oversaw portfolio's ability to meet strategic vision to build team-based (nursing, physicians & allied health)
• Directed the development and implementation of screening and preventative initiatives to support service delivery to achieve safe discharge of adults and geriatric patient who suffer from chronic diseases back
• Consulted on the development of care pathways to bring efficiencies in reducing entry to care wait times, reducing length of stay or transitions back to primary care
• Direction setting through mitigation suggestions, forming working groups and communication strategies
• Develop chronic disease management while pathways for programs: MSK, Complex disease, Day program, GMH) to improve patient outcomes and prevent readmissions
• Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
• Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
• Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
• Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
• Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
• Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
• Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
• Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
• Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
• Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
• Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and implementing appropriate solutions.
• Achieved significant cost savings by renegotiating contracts with key vendors, without compromising service quality.
• Developed comprehensive risk management plan, minimizing potential disruptions to business operations.
• Organized professional development programs for staff, leading to improved performance and skill sets.
• Facilitated team brainstorming sessions that led to innovative solutions for long-standing operational challenges.
• Boosted employee morale and reduced turnover through development and implementation of comprehensive rewards and recognition program.
• Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
• Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
• Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
• Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
• Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.

Senior clinical leadership position working together with our chief officer to innovate, plan and design creative service delivery/programs for adoption, scale and spread across Alberta

• Working directly with operational leaders, executives (ELT) in co-designing Alberta health initiatives (ASI) to reduce wait times, expedite shorter length of stay and increase access to health care services Albertans need to achieve health and wellness
• Focused on increasing access to rural and remote areas
• Extensive Communication and engagement of stakeholders across ministries and municipalities as well as nonprofit and3rd party vendors to set direction on Project management and recommend integration strategies to meet AH and AHS priorities
• Research Challenge: AHS supported $2M annual budget to bring evidence into practice and improve care practices
• Telerehabilitation: Utilizing virtual health services in rural and remote areas of Alberta to connect physicians, nursing and allied health specialists with local clinicians and increase compliance and access to health services
• Prehabilitation: In partnership with AH, FAAST and Primary Care to optimize patients pre-surgery through digital and team-based care
• Co-Facilitation of clinical advisory councils, implementation of AH changes that impact front line clinicians
• Provided expert consultation on technology integration strategies that supported business growth objectives while driving cost efficiencies.
• Championed process standardization efforts across organizations, resulting in more streamlined workflows and increased overall effectiveness.
• Actively participated in industry conferences and workshops, staying current on emerging trends and technologies
• Spearheaded continuous improvement initiatives focused on streamlining operations processes.

A provincial leadership position in the implementation of a provincial program: AUA (appropriate use of antipsychotics) that secured national recognition and is now being implemented in 10 provinces, is offered at UofC as CME credits and part of the Choosing Wisely campaign

• Work directly with executive directors, directors and operational managers in developing workshops: education, practice compliance, adherence to safety principles and sustainability of new practices
• Alberta leading with 23% reduction in antipsychotics in 1 year
• Successfully impacted 142 continuing care sites in reducing sedative use and 93% report of stakeholder satisfaction
• Mentored junior team members, sharing knowledge and expertise while fostering collaborative work environments.
• Streamlined internal processes for increased efficiency, implementing new strategies and tools
• Implemented data-driven decision-making processes within client organizations to help them operate more efficiently and effectively.
• Conducted comprehensive analyses of client data to inform strategic recommendations and optimize business outcomes.
• Identified areas of improvement within organizations, providing actionable insights to enhance their performance.
• Ensured successful project completion by closely monitoring progress against milestones, adjusting plans when necessary.

• Co-designed chronic disease management programs that aligned with AH and AHS priorities:
• Developed CFPCN clinical navigation program in alignment with the Alberta Dementia Strategy plan
• Dial a specialist: developed pathway to assist physicians to reach specialists for timely consultations
• Chronic Pain management program: Developed a program that integrated AHS, Primary care and AH strategies
• Developed a TEAM approach to meet chronic disease needs
• Smoking cessation and Obesity Management: developed education programs for Self-assessment and care
• Consult, research, and made recommendation on designing care pathways that facilitated efficiencies in patient journeys from primary care to surgery and back to home
• Enhanced participant engagement by incorporating interactive activities and group discussions in program sessions.
• Collaborated with fellow facilitators to create a cohesive and consistent experience across all program offerings.
• Mentored junior facilitators on best practices for effective content delivery techniques and audience engagement tactics.
• Gathered participant feedback regularly via surveys or evaluations, utilizing insights gained for continuous improvement of future programming iterations.
• Delivered clear and concise program modules, ensuring participants grasped key concepts effectively.
• Identified areas in need of improvement and implemented solutions.
• Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration for better patient care through effective communication and teamwork.
• Collaborated with primary healthcare providers to ensure seamless integration of mental health services into overall patient care plans.
• Provided supervision to interns and practicum students during their training rotations in the clinic setting.
• Reduced hospital readmissions with comprehensive discharge planning and follow-up care coordination.