Submitted by Sharon Davidson,
Director of Volunteer and Community Services Community Engagement

Twenty-five members from Big Bend Hospice recently completed training to become Lean Six Sigma Green Belts. The training was provided by Erik Christensen, a 12-year black belt President with Las Vegas Lean Six Sigma, Inc.

“Our organization has made a significant investment in each of these individuals by way of this lean training and we will continue to invest in them and the rest of our staff to ensure strength and stability through education and training to guide us as we grow,” says Bill Wertman, Big Bend Hospice CEO. 

The methodologies of Lean Six Sigma are two powerful tools organizations use to achieve breakthrough success. In recent years these continuous improvement techniques have been utilized in healthcare settings. The key factor for success is people; people who are led with respect and educated to improve processes, solve problems, and lead change initiatives.

Industries around the world recognize the importance of Lean Six Sigma training at all levels of the organization. The focus on continuous process improvement creates a win-win-win aspect of improving outcomes – customers win, employees win, and the company wins. This type of training is often the missing piece to achieving higher levels of organizational excellence to accomplish goals.

“Growth is essential to our continued relevance and viability as an organization, but growth must be intentional and purposeful and our staff’s success in lean is one more valuable step in that process,” says Wertman.