Healthcare administration management leader and Higher Education Academic

  • Advised one or more organizations
  • Received an award or special recognition
  • Networked with other professionals
  • Earned one or more college degrees
  • Taught a subject or trade to others
  • Spoken in front of an audience about an area of expertise
  • Donates time to philanthropic causes or organizations

About me

Cathy Rehfus-Wilsek, MD, MBA
"Either I will find a way, or I will make one."   Philip Sidney
I'm a non-clinical medical doctor with a proven record in healthcare administration management, and expansive experience in higher education, operations, compliance, risk management, change management, quality improvement, and patient safety assurance. Over 18 years’ of successfully leading and teaching in the medical field globally. I have multi-unit experience in management and program development. I'm honored to be known to bring a full-scope perspective to every project, cultivating strong client, student and patient relationships, developing and driving process improvements, and delivering documented results.
Interested in relocation to Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, or Texas.

Some of My Strengths Include:
* Ensuring organizations function legally and ethically while meeting business goals.
* Negotiating contracts and requirements with vendors to ensure healthcare best practices.
* Presenting solutions and training to multi-level teams.
* Applying Lean Six Sigma tools to establish processes and tools for change management.
* Managing time, budgets and staff for pediatric cancer research and family- patient support.

Honorably served 6 1/2 years in the United States Air Force

Industry Experience Timeline

  1. -
    Associate Professor Healthcare Management, Mount Saint Mary College

    Undergraduate and Graduate Associate Professor of Healthcare Management, continuing to develop the UG program and advise students. Teaching/Developing Healthcare Law and Regulatory Compliance, Healthcare Operations and Administration, Healthcare Informatics, Financial Management in Healthcare, Special Seminars in Healthcare, Organizational Behavior and Marketing Principles. Working on course mapping, course assessment for accreditation, practicum development, internship placement, and continued curriculum development. Spearheading the IACBE accreditation renewal process for 2021 and beyond as well as partnership development with HIMSS for program accreditation.

     

  2. -
    Chief Executive Officer Administrator, CEO, International Consulting, Chicago, Illinois

    Establish strategic plans to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of a hospital, home health care facility, hospice services and palliative care, and acute care facility. Manage the profit and loss statements for the hospital’s business leading to increased compensation by 65%. Commanding Program Operations to accomplish the various business plans and assigned responsibilities for implementation. Healthcare multi-million-dollar sub-industry experience in pharmacy and Pharmacovigilance, behavioral, home health care systems and hospitals.
    • Reduced 30-Day Readmission Rates by 98%.

  3. -
    Associate Professor, Woosong University, Daejeon, South Korea

    Taught bachelor and graduate level adult learning courses educating in clinical medicine, healthcare administration and management with the highest level of consistent vision and reliability in a blended classroom. Courses taught included International Healthcare Management (TJC, EMTALA, JCAHO, JCI), Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, Healthcare Emergency Management, Health and Disease, Health and Medical Law (Healthcare BioMedical Ethics), Aging and the Silver Economy in Healthcare Economics, Healthcare Human Resources Management, Quality and Risk Management in Healthcare, Healthcare Program Development, Public Health and Social Determinants of Disease, an Introduction to Healthcare Management and Managed Care. Drove curriculum development, performed course mapping, and authored institutional textbooks & publications. Served as a Faculty advisor, coaching and providing strategic direction for 12 international students, and as a faculty chair of the International Student Association.
    • Established an International Student Health Center, reducing absenteeism by 85% and increasing retention by 80%. Researched the available clinical options for international students to find that the choices were limited. Discovered that the school had a dedicated health center but only for the Korean students. Proposed, designed, established, and controlled the general manager and organizational management of the International Student Health Center on campus.

  4. Global Physician of the Year

    What an honor to be selected as a notable global physician for my work in Moshi, Tanzania working to establish a neonatal center at Majengo Health Center.

    The time I spent helping the people in the shadows in Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the most significant and satisfying the experiences of my life. 

  5. -
    Chief Program Director Medical, Majengo Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania

    Established Quality Patient Care while managing responsibilities over the hospital. Ensured efficient services designed to meet the charting needs of patients, physicians, public, and nursing staff. Oversight of the neonatal ward, maternity ward, and internal medicine ward daily operations. Crafted workflow patient safety policies and JCI Compliance SOP by implementing safety committee protocols through quality leadership. Established and directed standard work of self-sustainable neonatal operation center by collaboratively negotiating strategic medical equipment supply chain vendor affiliate partnership contracts that sustainably accomplished 95% adherence to the clinic’s budget. Advanced community knowledge of social determinants of health caused by poor sanitation reducing community morbidity and mortality by 60% and 70% respectively through infection control.
    • Established a training program that increased Tanzanian infant survival rates by 75% and decreased neonatal morbidity by 80%. 

  6. -
    Assistant Professor, Westwood College, Chicago, Illinois

    Taught bachelor-level courses in Introductory Healthcare Administration, Process Improvement and Operational Support, Product and Program Development, and Hospitals Medical Billing and Coding. Responsible for student retention and program delivery.

  7. -
    Quality Assurance Supervisor, RSA Medical, Naperville, Illinois

    Recruitment and sourcing, engagement, on-boarding, training, support services, employee development, and continuing business operations development. Proactive management of a 75-person call-center team. Conducted key performance indicator data audits of client interaction using information technology data analysis.
    • Introduced employee performance improvement plan reducing HIPAA violations by 90%. 

  8. -
    Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Paige Wilsek Leukemia Foundation, River Grove, Illinois

    Corporate operations and governance of the complete spectrum of 501(c)3 organization fundraising of over $3 million towards mission directives and facility management. Financial analysis management with analytics of monthly financial reporting on cost control. Human Resource Staff Development and Recruitment for 5 staffers and up-to 35 volunteers. Allocated operating budget resources through financial results.
    • Welcome Packages helped over 300 families with acclimation into the patient and caregiver roles. 

Honors

Platinum Community Service Award, Volunteer of the Year & Global Physician of the Year

Experience Highlights

  • Medical Mission Physician Provider - Guatemala
    9 medical missions to san raymundo guatemala as a physician provider remains a top 5 lifetime dream
  • Neonatal Educator - Moshi, Tanzania
    Waking each morning to see Mt KILIMANJARO was amazing but not as good as the team at Majengo clinic
  • Parent Caregiver to a child with Leukemia
    I will forever be grateful to have raised a truly inspiration child like PAIGÉ, lost too soon.

Education Highlights

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), in Healthcare Administration Management
    Davenport University
  • Medical Doctorate (MD), in Clinical Pediatric Medicine
    All Saints University School of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Science, (BS) in Biological Sciences
    Loyola University Chicago
  • Certifications: ACLS, PALS, and FACHE in progress
    American College of Healthcare Executives

Causes

  • Beyond Hunger
    Volunteer for Chicago area  Nutritional Resources
  • St. Baldrick’s
    Regional keynote speaker, Fundraising for pediatric cancer research
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
    Intl. keynote speaker, Congressional lobbyist, Fundraising for pediatric cancer
  • Refuge International
    Mission Physician

Interests

  • Patient Advocacy
    I know what it's like to be in the healthcare system and not have access to quality resources.
  • Pediatric Cancer Research
    Children still die everyday from cancer, I'd like to see that stop. Let's cure cancer now!
  • Diversity and Inclusion
    I'm an advocate of LGbtq rights and diversity inclusion for all people.

Results

  • 3.85
    GPA
  • 75%
    decrease in infant mortality in Moshi, Tanzania
  • 85%
    Decrease in infant morbidity in Moshi, Tanzania
  • 95%
    hipaa compliance for my clients

Skills

  • Change Management
    18
  • Finance & Budgeting
    18
  • Fundraising & Grants
    18
  • Higher Education
    18
  • Performance Improvement
    18
  • Project Management
    18
  • Public Speaking
    18
  • quality (QI) & patient safety
    18
  • Regulatory Compliance
    18
  • Risk Management
    18
  • Skill Name

Questions & Answers

Why did you choose your profession?
Medicine and patient advocacy is my passion. I feel very dedicated to ensuring that all in need have access to quality healthcare resources as a result of my experience as a parent caregiver of a child with cancer.
Who are your main influences?
Dr. Brian Druker the researcher responsible for Gleevec, the first chemotherapy drug that works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Paul Farmer and American medical anthropologist and physician, a provider of direct health care services, research, and advocacy activities on behalf of those who are sick and living in poverty.
Describe your greatest accomplishment.
Aside from raising an amazingly influential child, my most proud professional achievement was the development and establishment of a neonatal center in Moshi, Tanzania designed to reduce the infant morbidity and mortality rates in the shadows of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
What do you do to alleviate stress?
I'm a former pastry chef, so my stress relief is baking and developing new and creative desserts.
What are you working on right now?
Actively looking for new employment opportunities in healthcare leadership.
What are your long-term goals?
To provide quality management in healthcare as an executive leader.
What is the most important lesson learned on the job?
No one is too big to pick up a broom.
I do medical mission in Guatemala and our chief surgeon always says that no matter what your position within an organization you should help where needed even if that means you have to pick up a broom and sweep the floor.

Images

  • Working as an educator in South Korea
    Working as an educator in South Korea
  • Working as a physician provider in Guatemala is very rewarding
    Working as a physician provider in Guatemala is very rewarding
  • Baking is a hobby - this is my husband's college graduation cake
    Baking is a hobby - this is my husband's college graduation cake
  • Teaching the nurses in Tanzania
    Teaching the nurses in Tanzania
  • Our Tanzania clinical team
    Our Tanzania clinical team
  • Some of the kids in Niger
    Some of the kids in Niger
  • Performing surgery in Guatemala
    Performing surgery in Guatemala
  • Just a typical day in the Philippines feeding a lion.
    Just a typical day in the Philippines feeding a lion.

Resume

Blog

Pediatric Cancer Awareness

For the 12th year we are raising funds and awareness for Pediatric Cancer Research with St. Baldrick's

Looking for a great way to begin your year feeling good about helping??? Donate your time, head, or money to this incredible cause in memory of 9 y/o Paigé who lost her battle with leukemia, so no other family needs to suffer the greatest loss of all.
Go team Paigé’s Possé

Team Captain Steve Joyce
Honored parents: Cathy M Rehfus-Wilsek and Richard Wilsek

Paigé’s...

Location

Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, or Texas

Interested In