Finance

2024 Pillars of Excellence Award Winners

See the extraordinary work done by the 2024 Pillars of Excellence Award winners under the Finance Pillar.

Individual

Ryan Hays, Sharp Memorial Hospital

When Ryan began working in the pharmacy procurement department, the team’s goal was to save $3 million in cost expenses that year. Ryan led a strategic and thorough campus-wide transformation that included establishing standard operating procedures, streamlining roles, optimizing 340B purchasing, creating training programs — even switching to generic brands.

As a result of Ryan’s leadership, the team ultimately saved more than $10 million in pharmacy expenses.

Team

RN Recruitment and Traveler Reduction, Sharp HealthCare — Multi-Entity

This diverse, cross-disciplinary team responded to the escalating nurse workforce crisis with a two-fold approach: transform the recruitment process and reduce reliance on expensive traveling nurses.

It developed comprehensive executive dashboards, launched targeted marketing campaigns, streamlined recruitment and incentivized travelers to become permanent Sharp nurses.

As a result, the cost of monthly traveler expenses decreased from $6.1 million to $581,000 — a remarkable 91% decrease.

Department

Imaging Services, Sharp Memorial Hospital

Recognizing an opportunity to decrease the amount their department spent on premium pay, the leadership team set a goal to reduce pay penalties by 25%.

Through a comprehensive effort of proactive hiring, cross-training, optimized scheduling and improved break management, the department ultimately achieved a 40% reduction in premium pay — saving more than $950,000.