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

Pavelka, Sarah-39533
Position(s)
InstructorDepartment of Public Health
Office Phone 515-271-1354
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
Awards and honors

NAHQ Fellowship, National Association for Healthcare Quality

Alumni of the Year, Des Moines University

Areas of Expertise
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
ServiceCommunity:

  • 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

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.