Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pictured Above: Tracy Kirkconnell

BIRMINGHAM, AL --- Tracy Kirkconnell has been named director of Lean for Baptist Health System (BHS) according to David Wilson, BHS Lean market leader and Shelby Baptist Medical Center president. Kirkconnell assumed BHS responsibilities on October 5, 2009.

Lean, a process improvement methodology that focuses on operational efficiencies, is designed to help drive productivity within BHS through employee empowerment and change. As director of Lean, Kirkconnell will direct all activities, initiatives and personnel of Lean.

"Tracy has extensive experience in Six Sigma - a highly disciplined methodology which develops and delivers near perfect service to patients," said Wilson. "Her experience with this process, along with her commitment to lead our Lean initiative, fits perfectly into our core mission."

Prior to joining BHS, Kirkconnell was with Valley Baptist Health System (VBHS) in Harlingen, Texas for ten years. Most recently as assistant vice president of quality management,  Kirkconnell was responsible for the effective leadership of all Six Sigma education, quarterly and annual reporting for the past four years, and was a Six Sigma mentor, leader and educator for the System. She also received the Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt for the Health System in 2007.

Kirkconnell earned a BBA in accounting and an MBA from the University of Texas at Brownville.

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About Baptist Health System - Baptist Health System, Inc. is one of the largest health care systems in Alabama and one of the state's largest employers. The System is a not-for-profit, 501(c) corporation that owns and manages four hospitals in the state of Alabama. Baptist Health System is a ministry of the churches of the Birmingham Baptist Association, whose representatives elect the Board of Trustees. It was founded in 1922 by a group of local Baptist congregations.