Comments from Elk Regional Health Center:

"As a Board member, I feel I can now understand and support the staff and physicians in their projects." "As a physician, this is a very pertinent effort! Essential to the future success of our health system … both financially and clinically." From member of the senior team: "The evaluations from the participants were good and reflect the appreciation of the Board, senior team and medical staff in your effort and interest in the topic of Six Sigma." "I was very pleased to be chosen to participate in Six Sigma. It has been a growing experience for me which is very applicable to my job duties and to life in general." Gwen Auman "You are a great instructor and try your best to go at our pace." Patty Harberberger "I definitely can see the positive impact of Six Sigma process analysis." "This process will lead to policies directing more consistent clinical outcomes." "You are a very good teacher and presenter. I very much enjoyed this week." "Change is difficult for everyone, however, it is necessary. This program will help us to convince others that change can be good."

Special Article by Richard Beaver, VP Quality, Heritage Valley Health System: Six Sigma: From Manufacturing to Healthcare, A Snapshot of the Implementation of Six Sigma at Heritage Valley Health System. Abstract: In 2001, Heritage Valley Health System began to look beyond traditional healthcare process improvement techniques to offset the issues facing it and many other healthcare organizations. These issue include patient care and satisfaction, finance, staff retention and recruitment, and collaboration with physicians on clinical initiatives, to name only a few.

"Six Sigma has changed the DNA of GE- it is now the way we work- in everything we do, and in every product we design." Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric

"Six Sigma brings to the healthcare industry a balanced dose of both art and science to improve the delivery of patient care and achieve cultural transformation. It's an approach that enables providers to build acceptance and accountability, develop unique problem solving skills and link efforts to well-defined organizational objectives." Greg Stock, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center "Taking Performance To a Higher Level" Six Sigma Forum Magazine, May 2002

"We seek defect free care. To be successful, organizations must have a simple and pedantic way to know the rate of defects. This defect rate must be shared within the organization and with others. Only then will healthcare providers be pursuing perfection." Robert W. Galvin, Former CEO of Motorola Co-chair of National Advisory Council to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Pursuing Perfection in Healthcare" Six Sigma Forum Magazine, May 2002

References for Peak Quality Services Available Upon Request