About this Presentation
A new best-of-the-breed approach to combine TOC concepts and tools with lean and six sigma in healthcare is shared. This approach is used when jump-starting a new continuous process improvement program or reenergizing an existing one. Strategies and tactics to overcome resistance are also presented when introducing TOC to lean and/or six sigma cultures. Examples are provided from interventional radiology, advanced cancer treatments, and laboratory turnaround times in emergency departments.
What Will You Learn
To help you get the most value from this session, we’ve highlighted a few key points. These takeaways capture the main ideas and practical insights from the presentation, making it easier for you to review, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
The importance of choosing the right project for process improvement is emphasized, as the wrong project can lead to wasted resources and effort.
The speaker discusses the integration of Lean and Six Sigma in naval shipbuilding, which was the first application of this integration.
The integrated approach has been expanded into other industry sectors, with half of the speaker's business now in healthcare.
Instructor(s)
Bahadir Inozu, Ph.D
Dr. Baha Inozu is the cofounder and CEO of Sharp Focus, Inc., and a faculty member at the University of Southern California. He has collaborated with more than forty organizations to improve performance and reliability across a range of sectors. Internationally recognized for his expertise in system reliability and performance improvement, Dr. Inozu specializes in integrating leading methodologies to achieve high-impact outcomes. He currently supports the SafeMTS project as a Subject Matter Expert and contributes to the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) for the U.S. Navy.
His research centers on identifying and applying best practices from high-risk industries to advance safety and reliability. He is the co-author of High Reliability for a Highly Unreliable World. Previously, he served as CEO of NOVACES and as Chairman of the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of New Orleans.
Ms Alka Wadhwa
Alka Wadhwa is an experienced consultant and process improvement expert with over 24 years of expertise in the Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean Six Sigma, and organizational performance optimization. She has successfully led projects in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing, driving significant improvements such as a 67% boost in hospital operations and a 140% increase in outpatient visits.
Previously, Alka Wadhwa spent 17+ years at GE Global Research Center, where she led initiatives to enhance various GE businesses through advanced technologies, process redesign, and system optimization. Founder of Better Solutions Consulting, LLC, she specializes in using TOC, Six Sigma, and data analytics to streamline operations and build high-performance teams.
Her work has earned her multiple accolades, including the Empire State Award of Excellence in healthcare.
Dr Gary Wadhwa
Dr. Gary Wadhwa is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive experience in the field. He completed his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training at Montefiore Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and has served as an Attending at prestigious institutions like St. Peters Hospitals, Ellis Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital in NY. With a career spanning over two decades, he was the former CEO and President of a group specialty practice in NY from 1994 to 2015. Dr. Wadhwa holds an MBA from UT at Knoxville, TN, and has undergone additional training in System Dynamics at MIT, Health System Management at Harvard Business School, and Entrepreneurship and healthcare innovations at Columbia Business School. Committed to expanding access to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery care, he is currently engaged in a meaningful project to provide healthcare services to underserved populations in inner city and rural areas through non-profit Community Health Centers.