Kathy Maass

Director Process Excellence
Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center

Kathy Maass is the director of process excellence at Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center and oversees operational improvement activities. Kathy has led projects in the Emergency Department, Central Supply, Operative Services, and patient care areas.

Kathy led the Laboratory team in the first LEAN project at Avera McKennan.  This team redesigned work flow processes and led the Laboratory through a move into a new workplace designed with LEAN principles.

Some of the teams Kathy has been involved with have achieved the following results:

• improved laboratory accuracy from 3.4 to 5.7 sigma.
• reduced laboratory space by 1000 square feet saving $1 million in construction.
• reduced laboratory turn around time by as much as 58%.

Prior to leading the LEAN activities for the facility Kathy was the Laboratory manager with oversight of the Laboratory information systems, compliance, charge master maintenance, quality improvement, and safety.

Kathy holds a degree in Chemistry from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and is certified as a MT(ASCP) by the College of American Pathologists.