An Evening for Alumni

Since adopting Toyota Lean Production methods, Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis has doubled its revenue, reduced its charge rates to the community, and seen marked improvements in patient safety and care.

On November 19, 2009, David K. Wessner, President & CEO, will share the Park Nicollet experience at our annual Evening for Alumni. After Mr. Wessner's presentation, a panel of representatives from local organizations will share their Lean management experiences.

J. Michael Rona, University of Washington Clinical Associate Professor and MHA alumnus (class of 1977), will MC and facilitate a Q&A and group discussion.

• Lee Fried (MHA 2005), Lean Sensei, Group Health Cooperative
• Pat Hagan, COO and President, Seattle Children's
• Chris Head, Director of Organizational Effectiveness & Lean, UW Medical Center
• Subbiah Viswanathan (EMHA 2006), Director of Operations Excellence, Evergreen Healthcare

This is a rare opportunity to learn about Lean from a broad management and strategic point of view; to explore Lean from an evolutionary perspective within the field of health care management; and to hear about specific approaches to Lean applications in different health care organizations.

The evening ends with a reception, providing the opportunity to visit, network, and enjoy refreshments.

The cost is $65 for alumni and friends and $30 for UW MHA and EMHA students. If you have questions, please contact Shanon Radford at radfords@u.washington.edu or 206-616-2978

Donation Form

Biography

David K. Wessner is President and Chief Executive Officer of Park Nicollet Health Services, a nonprofit, integrated care system based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, that includes Methodist Hospital, Park Nicollet Clinic, Park Nicollet Foundation, and Park Nicollet Institute.

David leads Park Nicollet's groundbreaking work in applying the principles of the Toyota Production System (also known as Lean Production) to health care. Lean has improved the experience of many of Park Nicollet's 350,000 patients who, combined, visit Park Nicollet 1.6 million times each year. In its fifth year of system wide implementation, Lean is helping decrease wait times, increase capacity, and provide significant cost savings that are reinvested in Park Nicollet programs and patient care.

David is Past Chair of the Minnesota Hospital Association and Chair of the Health Care Policy Committee of the Minnesota Business Partnership. He also is the 2003 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Minnesota Hospital Association and the Medical Preeminence Award of the American Medical Group Association.

David joined Park Nicollet in 1994 as part of the merger of Park Nicollet Clinic and Methodist Hospital. He was named Chief Executive Officer in July 1998.

Prior to joining Park Nicollet, David was Executive Vice President for Program and Process Improvement and Chief Operating Officer of the Geisinger Clinic, a 500 physician group practice at the Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania.

He received his MHA from Duke University in 1977, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois in 1973.

University of Washington | School of Public Health | Department of Health Services

Equal Opportunity and Disability Accomodations

Contact: H-660 Health Sciences Building | Box 357660 | Seattle, Washington 98195 | phone: 206-543-8778 | fax: 206-543-3964