Sarah Pavelka, M.H.A., OTR/L, CPHQ, FNAHQ

Sarah Pavelka
Position(s)
Instructor Master of Health Care Administration
Office Phone 515-271-1369
Email sarah.pavelka@dmu.edu
Education
  • Ph.D. Candidate, Health Services – Leadership, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
  • Master of Health Care Administration, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA
  • Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy, Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI
  • Bachelor of Art, Psychology/Biology, Luther College, Decorah, IA
Certifications
  • Fellowship: National Association for Healthcare Quality
  • Certification: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
  • Licensure: State of Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy Examiners
Area of Expertise Teaching:

  • Organizational Development
  • Operations Management
  • Leadership and Process Improvement
Professional Organizations, Committees and Boards
  • American and Iowa Occupational Therapy Association
  • American College of Health Care Executives
  • American Society of Quality
  • Iowa Association for Healthcare Quality, Board member
  • Iowa Illinois Safety Council
  • National Association for Healthcare Quality, Board Member
Service Community:

  • Beta Sigma Phi, Member, and Officer Positions

Professional:

  • National Association for Healthcare Quality, Board Member
  • Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence, Examiner and Team Coach
  • National Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, Examiner
  • National Association for Healthcare Quality, Team Member and Leader
  • Cedar Rapids Healthcare Alliance, grant reports for Executive Leadership
  • American Society for Quality, Health Division Leader
  • Iowa Association for Healthcare Quality, Board Member

University:

  • College of Health Sciences (CHS) Strategic Planning committee
  • Des Moines University, Alumni Council Mentorship

Awards and honors

NAHQ Fellowship, National Association for Healthcare Quality

Alumni of the Year, Des Moines University

Professional Grants:

  • Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, Partnerships for Patients, Lean in Iowa Hospitals, September 2013
  • Iowa Department of Public Health FLEX Grant, Quality Management and Leadership Development, Central Community Hospital, September 2012 – October 2013, $5,800 funded
  • Iowa Public Health Association, Strategic Planning Grant, Strategic Planning events with up to 99 counties across Iowa, September 2012, $6600 funded
  • Iowa Department of Public Health, FLEX Grant, four Critical Access Hospitals Leadership Training, May to August 2012, $5,800 funded
  • Iowa Department of Public Health, FLEX Grant, four Critical Access Hospitals Baldrige Board Training, May to August 2011, $18,800 funded
  • Iowa Department of Public Health, Central Community Hospital, Organizational Strategic Planning, 2010, $4200 funded
  • Iowa Foundation for Medical Care, Cedar Rapids Healthcare Alliance, Lean in a Community, 2008 to present, $25,000 funded
  • Federal Communication Commission, Interconnection of Healthcare Organizations across Iowa, partnership between Iowa Hospital Association, Iowa Public Health and Iowa Connection Network, 2007, $17 Million funded

Publications

  • Langford, D. and Pavelka, S. (2012). Tool Time for Lean. Molt, Montana: Langford Learning, Inc.
  • Levett, J., Pavelka, S., Schwarting, L., Werling, J.; Standardizing Processes at the Community Level Using Lean Principles, Group Practice Journal, April 2009.

 Presentations and Posters:

  • Numerous presentations in Iowa, Nationally, and Internationally on Organizational Development, Operations Management, Leadership, and Strategic Planning.