Kelly directs and oversees all aspects of her assigned projects ensuring compliance with registry standards and specifications. She ensures the goals and objectives of each project are met through oversight of her data abstraction teams. Kelly resides in Florida with her husband and they have three children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and catering for special events.
Prior to joining Registry Partners, Kelly served as Quality Manager for Outcomes Registries at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, FL where she worked in registries such as Cath PCI, ICD, and STS. She has also served as a Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse Educator and a Cardiac Cath Lab Staff Nurse.
Kelly earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from West Virginia University and is licensed as a Registered Nurse license. She is pursuing her CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) certification through the National Association of Healthcare Quality. Kelly is a member of the American Nurses Association and is also a volunteer with the Volusia Volunteers in Medicine – an organization providing healthcare for the uninsured working class.
Q & A with Kelly
Q: What do you find as the most rewarding part of your career in healthcare quality?
A: The field of healthcare quality is growing exponentially. Hospitals, insurance companies, government agencies, and patients are realizing the value of quality measurement. We play an active role in research, education, development of standards of care, best practice, and accountability. Through our efforts, patients are receiving better care, living longer, and experiencing a higher quality of life. Our profession is an integral part of changing the way healthcare is provided in our country. I am honored to be a part of it.
Q: Why do you believe clinical data registries are so important?
A: Clinical data registries provide vital information to many aspects of healthcare. The most obvious is for research, tracking short and long term effects of new treatments and devices. They also provide national benchmarks, to assist healthcare professionals to evaluate the care provided at their facility compared to others. Clinical data registries also foster the sharing of ideas and solutions to common problems. They provide a means for healthcare professionals to track the quality of care provided, identify areas of opportunity, and provide education. Ultimately, patients receive a higher quality of care because of the information provided by these registries.
Q: If you could select one memorable moment that occurred throughout your career, what would it be and why?
A: A hospital facility I worked for previously, had a struggling surgical program. Through the information provided from participation with STS Adult Cardiac Registry and a lot of teamwork, we were able to raise our program from a one-star rating (the lowest) to a three-star rating (the highest.) This was a huge achievement for the quality of care the patients received. They spent less time in the hospital and recovered faster with fewer complications. The hospital was able to reduce costs, and elevate its reputation as a center of distinction for cardiac surgery in the region. It was a win for everyone involved!