Yolanda Clark
Atlanta
Summary
Results-driven healthcare professional specializing in clinical operations and performance improvement. Track record of implementing effective strategies that enhance staff competencies and streamline processes, resulting in measurable gains in patient care quality and safety. Adept at leading and developing nursing teams to achieve excellence in healthcare delivery.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interim Director of Nursing (Contract)
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM at SPAULDING REHABILITION
Sandwich
12.2025 - Current
- Direct the clinical operations of a 48 bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility with 160 FTEs.
- Redesigned staff scheduling process to enhance continuity, standardize practices, and promote fairness in daily clinical operations.
- Led performance improvement initiative to enhance accuracy and timeliness in external patient appointment and transportation coordination.
Interim Director of Nursing (Contract)
CORNERSTONE SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
Little Rock
03.2025 - 09.2025
- Directed the clinical operations of a 30 bed Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) facility with 50 FTEs.
- Mentored house supervisors in career and leadership development, enhancing conflict management skills and decision-making effectiveness.
- Redesigned nursing onboarding program to ensure training consistency, align preceptor roles, and clarify expectations and competencies.
- Overhauled annual competency standards and verification processes, strengthening organizational consistency and aligning with regulatory requirements.
- Onboarded the facility’s inaugural RN Staff Development Specialist, establishing the foundation for a standardized clinical education program.
Nurse Manager
WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM at KENNESTONE
Marietta
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Managed the clinical operations of a 23 bed Neuro ICU, Comprehensive Stroke Center and over 100 FTEs.
- Implemented consistent employee rounding resulting in reduced vacancy rate from 48% to less than 10% and improved retention from 50 to 4%.
- Facilitated development of ICU Stroke Response Nurse, leading to 21% decrease in ICU LOS, 10% improvement in modified Rankin score, and reduction of door to VI time from 58 minutes to 38 minutes.
- Onboarded and mentored two Assistant Nurse Managers, enhancing nursing leadership capabilities and ensuring competency in clinical operations and financial management.
- Mentored department’s Pressure Injury champion, achieving 50% reduction in pressure injuries in 6 months through execution of Turn Buddies.
- Received 2nd Beacon Silver Designation of Excellence for distinguished quality of care.
- Served as Magnet writer during the organization's Journey to Excellence; successfully completed three Sources of Evidence.
Clinical Operations Manager
CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA
Atlanta
01.2004 - 01.2019
- Directed clinical operations of a 40 bed Neurosurgery, Neurology and Craniofacial unit, 18-bed Orthopedic/ENT unit and a 24-bed overflow unit with 110 FTEs. Served as Interim manager for a 28 bed Rehabilitation unit.
- Led Medication Administration Task Force resulting in the implementation of 'Med Minute'; process reduced adverse drug events by 25%.
- Redesigned the transfer of care process which resulted in decreasing PIVE severity by 85%, omitted medications/procedures by 50% and improving patient/family satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented unit-based Falls Prevention Program resulting in a 50% reduction of falls among high risk patients.
- Facilitated system Falls Hospital Acquired Condition (HAC) guiding team. Fall rate consistently below national benchmark.
- Contributed to Continuous Readiness Accreditation Team (CART) by preparing and monitoring compliance with action plans for regulatory improvement opportunities.
- Mentored and developed over 15 direct reports in nursing leadership, clinical and operational workflow management, and performance improvement, facilitating their advancement into nurse leader positions.
- Researched and analyzed industry staffing benchmarks which led to improved nurse-patient ratio. from 1:5 to 1:3.
- Raised HCAPS scores by 15% by employing creative patient experience initiatives.
- Implemented new RN onboarding program leading to increased preceptor satisfaction and advanced new employee readiness while decreasing overall orientation time by 2 weeks.
- Established unit-based Staff Action Committee to enhance staff involvement in decision-making and foster employee engagement.
- Led cross-functional team that developed the Cannabidiol Oil/Low THC policy and procedure to align and comply with state law.
Clinical Manager, General Pediatrics
CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER
Dallas
01.1996 - 01.2002
- Directed activities of two General Pediatric units with a total of 53 beds and 90 FTEs. Subspecialty included Vent Dependent, Asthma, CF and Diabetes. Served as interim Manager for a 35 bed Orthopedic/Endocrine unit.
- Chaired the Admission/Discharge PI taskforce, charged with improving the admission and discharge process resulting in reduced ER to floor wait time by 3 hours.
- Facilitated Care Coordination Team for PACE patient care redesign initiative, creating new clinical roles and enhancing patient care delivery model.
- Coordinated regulatory readiness activities for General Pediatrics, developing educational programs and training sessions for management and staff.
- Researched and developed plan for Ventilator Dependent Unit enabling physicians to provide improved coordination and quality of care resulting in increased patient/family satisfaction.
- Chaired Hospital Clinical Practice Committee that developed and implemented a multidisciplinary policy manual.
- Redesigned and streamlined department annual competency program, which increased staff’s accountability.
- Implemented streamlined process for timely and accurate communication to patient’s Primary Care Physicians (PCP), enhancing collaboration and care continuity.
Unit Manager, Pediatrics
PARKLAND HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS
Dallas
01.1987 - 01.1996
- Directed activities for a 45-bed unit with 63 FTEs staff. Developed and coordinated $ 1.7 million supply and salary budget.
- Initiated and implemented Pediatric Code Team, expediting arrest response time and organizing code procedures more effectively.
- Improved Care Coordination by establishing team nursing care model.
- Decreased adverse drug events by 30% through standard medication times; reduced holiday schedule preparation time by 90% and enhanced employee morale with 'Holiday Packages'.
- Provided clinical input and leadership during the planning, development, and construction of a 2-year, $2 million renovation project.
- Developed plans and coordinated education and transitional activities during Parkland’s Pediatric and Children’s Medical Center merger.
Education
Master of Science - Administration
Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Prairie View A&M University
Skills
- Clinical operations
- Healthcare compliance
- Nursing mentorship
- Program development
- Policy development
- Budget analysis
- Resource management
- Project management
- Process improvement
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Effective delegation
- Conflict resolution
- Staff retention
- Safety protocols
Certification
- ANCC Nurse Executive Board Certified
- Six Sigma Green Belt
Credentials
- MSA
- BSN
- RN
- NE-BC
Activities
- Five-time recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Staff Education
- Recipient of the Weldon award for Team Engagement
- Former Member, National Association of Healthcare Executives
Timeline
Interim Director of Nursing (Contract)
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM HEALTH SYSTEM at SPAULDING REHABILITION
12.2025 - Current
Interim Director of Nursing (Contract)
CORNERSTONE SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
03.2025 - 09.2025
Nurse Manager
WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM at KENNESTONE
01.2020 - 01.2024
Clinical Operations Manager
CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA
01.2004 - 01.2019
Clinical Manager, General Pediatrics
CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER
01.1996 - 01.2002
Unit Manager, Pediatrics
PARKLAND HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS
01.1987 - 01.1996
Master of Science - Administration
Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Prairie View A&M University