Linda M. Shepherd, MBA, BSN Home Address Office Address1392 Lakeview Drive 2400 Lee Highway Pulaski, VA 24084 Pulaski, VA 24301Phone: 540-980-7398 Phone: 540-994-8300

Cell No. 540-440-0092 linda.shepherd2@hcahealthcare.com

EDUCATION: 2013 Master of Business Administration with concentration in LeadershipLiberty University Lynchburg, VA

1985 Bachelor of Science in NursingLynchburg CollegeLynchburg, VA

LICENSURE: Virginia - Active

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2006 - Present HOSPITAL CORPORATION OF AMERICA (HCA)

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)LewisGale Hospital Pulaski – Pulaski, Virginia (LGHP)2012– present

Executive Lead to champion Pathway to Excellence Initiatives driving decision making and integration of evidence based practice through self-governance model coupled with a synergic approach to nursing practice

Implemented electronic physician documentation and electronic provider order entry in 2014 Lead charge to drive down verbal and telephone orders within electronic environment moving from

worst to best in the division within 90 day timeframe JCAHO tri-annual survey listed as best in company in 2014 survey Driver of Quality Initiatives earning Leapfrog A rating in 2014 Doubled number of Certified Nurses in the facility 2013-2014 – continue to climb Recognized by JCAHO for Outstanding Performance on Core Measures

Director of Intensive Care Unit/Coronary Care Unit/ Acute Hemodialysis, Nursing Supervision, Cardiac Rehab, Stroke CoordinatorLewisGale Hospital Pulaski – Pulaski, Virginia (LGHP)2007 to 2012

Developed annual departmental dashboard for each department tied to facility quality initiatives as well as strategic plan

Provided direct patient care approximately 8-16 hours per week Maintained fiscal accountability for all direct report cost centers, including the

implementation, monitoring, and modifications of the operating budget. Served as liaison between physicians, patients, primary, and ancillary care providers as well as

outside entities to deliver seamless care to the populations served Coordinated departmental education and quality assurance activities; designed and

implemented a department based quality improvement program; establishing accountability with staff assuming ownership of the process to drive improved patient outcomes

Established quarterly skills lab as a means to keep staff educated and competent on low volume/ high risk procedures

Actively lead employees in maintaining patient satisfaction scores at or above the CMS 75th percentile

Promoted shared governance within areas of responsibility Developed and implemented Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Program to reduce

VAPs from 14.9 to 2.3. (National Benchmark 2.3) Overall employee participation at 100% (2010 & 2011) for each department – with satisfaction

reaching the 90th percentile

Developed a comprehensive tool targeted at all components of bedside reporting. Implemented in 2007 to hardwire bedside reporting.

Established and co-chaired facility wide Nursing Practice and Standard Committee as part of shared governance model

Core Measure Abstractor / CoordinatorLewisGale Hospital Pulaski – Pulaski, Virginia (LGHP)2006-2007

Collaborated with Quality Director and Medical Staff to develop action plans and hardwire processes

Analyzed data and provided regular updates and feedback to all stakeholders Created physician and nursing scorecards/dashboards to track and report performance

around set goals (established prior to division dashboard development) Collaborated with physician staff to develop discharge instructions focused on capturing

required Core Measure mandates at patient discharge- approved through the MEC Developed and provided core measure education – all new staff and physicians, as well

as residents, were provided this education Facility recognized sustained improvement in Core Measure Results- beginning early 2007

Lead for Clinical Decision Unit LewisGale Hospital Montgomery (LGHM) 2005-2006

Developed policies and procedures through collaborative effort with ED physicians and Cardiologist, to establish the ground work for development of Clinical Decision Unit / Chest Pain Unit

Worked with local EMS teams , as well as ED staff and physicians, to evaluate flow, educational needs, documentation standards, and requirements as established by the National Chest Pain Society in drafting protocols and metrics which would serve to distinguish this unit from the ED

Analyzed data and provided monthly reports Identified equipment needs and assisted with physical layout of

anticipated Clinical Decision Unit Worked in the ED to assist in staffing as needed

1995-2006 CARILION CLINIC

Director of Surgical ServicesCarilion New River Valley Medical Center – Christiansburg, VA (CNRVMC)

2000-2006

Collaborated with physicians, consumers, and staff to meet stakeholder expectations Coordinated all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the following departments:

Pre-Surgical Testing, Outpatient Surgery, Operating Room, Post- Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Endoscopy, Central Sterile Services, and Anesthesia/ Anesthesia Technicians to ensure safe, cost effective delivery of care, while exceeding customer expectations.

Served as liaison between multiple management layers- officers, senior directors, managers, Clinical Team Leaders and staff.

Served as liaison and arbitrator between professional staff and physicians Financial assessment and reporting Negotiated contracts/explored cost saving initiatives Engaged staff in a team approach to problem solving – process improvement –chart flow and work

flow analysis Worked comprehensively with other disciplines to foster patient outcomes and meet customer

needs Project Management

o Lead for SMART OR development and implementationo Implemented Block Time in the ORo Developed and implemented Incentive Program for staff to meet company goals/

customer goals/ employee goalso Instrumental in the development of a new service line- Heartburn Treatment Center

o Developed cross training program within Surgical Services

o Lead on implementation of computerized documentation throughout Surgical Serviceso Assisted with development of Joint Venture Outpatient Surgery Centero Lead conversion of supplies to PACKS system for increased efficiency o Reduced OR first case start time within 5 minutes of scheduled start times from

30% to 80% in 2 monthso Reduced “OR Exposures” from 55% to 10% in OR in period of 6 months- requested to

presented project to Joint Commission o Revised informed consents/created policy on Surgical Site Verification processo Cultivated a team atmosphere responsible for 80 full and part-time employees.

Preceptor/Education Coordinator for Surgical Services Carilion New River Valley Medical Center – Christiansburg, VA (CNRVMC) 2000

Developed educational program for surgical services Served as liaison between physicians, staff, administration Performed evaluations and 360 degree reviews of staff to target opportunities and coach

to success Cultivated a team approach to care delivery Supervised 40 employees Created and established organizational policies and procedures, job descriptions, evaluations

and orientation manual targeted at all positions Noted reduction in staff turnover and increased satisfaction through improved competency

Outpatient Surgery RN II/Charge/Performance Improvement Representative, Staff Educator/PreceptorCarilion New River Valley Medical Center – Christiansburg, VA (CNRVMC) 1999- 2000

Also staffed in Neuro Trauma Unit at Roanoke Memorial Hospital

Neuro Trauma ICU RN II/ Charge Nurse/ Preceptor / Staff EducatorCarilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital 1995- 2002

Served as liaison between families, physicians, and Virginia Organ Procurement Agency (VOPA) (currently- Lifenet) Managed organ donors Served as preceptor / mentor to staff Assisted in policy development and served on multiple unit and hospital committees Managed multi trauma patients

1993-1995 PRESBYTERIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Presbyterian Hospital Downtown - Charlotte, NCRN Cardiac Step Down Unit and Emergency Department1993-1995

1985-1993 CENTRA HEALTH

Neuro Trauma Intensive Care Unit RN III/Charge Nurse/Staff Preceptor and EducationLynchburg General Hospital - Lynchburg, VA1985-1993

Managed multi-trauma patients Developed Head Injury Support Group Served as unit educator and quality coordinator for NTICU Served on multiple hospital based committees

Developed unit orientation program

HONORS, AWARDS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, & CERTIFICATIONS: Frist Humanitarian Award Recipient for LewisGale Hospital Pulaski (2007) Medical Coordinator for Short Term Medical Mission Teams initiated through the International Pentecostal Holiness

Church. Has served in Romania, Thailand, Burma, Peru, Laos, Haiti, Bangladesh, and Nepal (2004 – present) Award for Excellence-Team Captain for American Heart Association LewisGale Hospital Pulaski (2008 – 2011) Junior Achievement Award for Outstanding Service to the Community (2007) Employee Satisfaction Survey Results - overall satisfaction for responsible departments 100% (2010 – 2011) Volunteer Youth Leader at Valley Harvest Ministries (2005 – 2008) Host Family for International Exchange Student Program (2005 – 2006)

PROFICIENCIES: Excellent prioritizing/organizing/multitasking capabilities Motivator, team leader, and team player Customer Service proponent and promoter Excellent written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills Creative, upbeat, and energetic High level of emotional intelligence Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills Financial acumen Bias toward action Demonstrates team approach to patient care and problem solving – recognizing and respecting others’ ideas and

qualities Inter-professional collaboration targeted at positive patient outcomes

MEMBERSHIPS: American Nurses Association 2012 - present Virginia Nurses Association 2012 - present American Association of Critical Care Nurses 2007 - 2012 American College of Healthcare Executives 2014 - present Virginia Organization of Nurse Executives Leaders 2013 - present American Organization of Nurse Executives 2013 - present Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce 2013 - present International Nurses Association 2015 - present Rotary International 2012 - present

OFFICES: President of the New River Valley Chapter of the Virginia Nurses Association 2013 - present Secretary Executive Board Member Dress for Success of the New River Valley 2014 - present Medical Coordinator for International Pentecostal Holiness Church 2004 – present Treasure Virginia Nurses Association 2015 – present

BOARDS: Executive Member Board of Trustees Dress for Success New River Valley Chapter 2014 – present Executive Board Member Free Clinic of Pulaski County 2014 – present Board of Trustees Virginia Nurses Association 2015- present Board of Directors Virginia Nurses Foundation 2015- present

COMMUNITY COMMITTEES Pulaski County High School and Medical Services Advisory Committee 2015 – present New River Valley Community College Department of Nursing Advisory Board 2012 - present

ACTIVELY PURSUING: Working toward being a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives estimated completion 2017 Applying for Doctorial Program focus Nurse Executive Leadership estimated completion 2017 Plan to sit for NE-BC through American Nursing Credentialing Center estimated completion Fall 2016