Keynote Speaker: Lewis Lefteroff, MSIE
Lean Tool Master and Six Sigma Black Belt, Senior Consultant, ValuMetrix^® Services, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

As a Lean Tool Master and Six Sigma Black Belt, Lewis is an expert in driving Business Excellence with a focus on quality, cost and timeliness. A graduate of the University of Miami, he earned both bachelor of science and master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering.

After leading numerous lean improvements in medical device manufacturing, Lewis has progressed along the value stream toward the customer, driving Lean improvements in materials management as well as quality system and transactional processes. Continuing into the hospital was his next step in bringing Lean improvements to the customer. Lewis has worked with hospitals across North America and around the world training, leading, and coaching teams in implementing Lean methods and management systems in areas including OR, sterile processing, laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy.

He was a pioneer in “Managing in a Lean environment”, based on his own experiences as a young manager, and in addition to project management and change management at the department level, he works with senior executives around the world to develop and deploy their enterprise-wide strategies for engaging front-line staff in implementing continuous improvements.

Scott Berry, MD, FACS
General Surgeon
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

Dr. Berry is a regular guy who has been blessed with a remarkable life. He spends his days trying to be a good person and a good surgeon. In his free time he tries to be a good father. Dr. Berry received his Doctor of Medicine, Magna Cum Laude from Loyola University, Stritich School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, serves on number committees at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, has been extensively published and is a frequent speaker. Dr. Berry served as a Lean Champion for the perioperative services initiative.

Martin D. Fleming, M.D., FACS
Medical Director, OR, Surgical Oncologist
Methodist University Hospital

Dr. Fleming is a Surgical Oncologist with Memphis Surgery Associates and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. For several years he was Medical Director of the Oncology Rehabilitation program at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of Memphis.

Since 2006, he has served as the Medical Director of the Operating Room Services at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Dr. Fleming championed the Lean initiative in the OR that transformed their organization.

Dr. Fleming did his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and his medical school training at the University of Tennessee.  His general surgery residency was in Dallas, Texas at the University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas.  He went on to complete a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the Medical College of Virginia.

He is active in the American Cancer Society serving on the board of the Midsouth Division and as President of the Memphis chapter.  He has also served as President of the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society.

J. Kempf Poole, FACHE
Executive Director, Ancillary Services
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

Kempf Poole is a natve of Nashville, Tennessee but received his educational and professional training in Alabama.  Kempf’s  job as a central sterile supply technician began his career in the surgical area.   This grass roots beginning has provided a grounded foundation for his decision making and leadership style.  Academically he holds degrees in Marketing and Education, Nursing, and a Masters in Healthcare Informatics.

Kempf is the Executive Director for Ancillary Services at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi where he has been since 2003.  His responsibilities include administrative responsibility for the departments of Surgical Services, Radiology, Transportation, Orthopedic Service Line, Wound Healing Center, Laboratory and Pathology.  Baptist Health Systems is the parent company of Baptist Medical Center and a number of related healthcare services and programs. From its beginnings in 1911, Baptist has grown to include a 564-bed medical center, along with a variety of health and medical services for people in every stage of life. Through the decades, Baptist has continued to provide quality, compassionate Christian-based medical care to the people of Mississippi.

Susan South, M.A.O.M., MT(ASCP)SBB
Six Sigma Black Belt
Senior Consultant
ValuMetrix® Services

Susan South has over 35 years of experience working in healthcare. She is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, a Lean Implementation Specialist, and a Johnson & Johnson Certified Change Integration Process Trainer.

Ms. South holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management. She has presented over 500 programs all over the world, including topics on competitive positioning, change integration, and Lean Six Sigma. Susan has received multiple awards for her work with change management and process improvement.

Besides her family, her passion is sharing the power of Lean Six Sigma to transform healthcare and reduce process error potential.

Derek Wallis
Supervisor, Central Processing Services
Kingston General Hospital

Derek was born in Wembley England. As a child he immigrated with his parents to Canada and now lives with his wife and 3 children in Kingston Ontario. He became a Canadian citizen 10 years ago, shortly before the birth of his first child.

He is a Lab Technologist by training, but began his hospital career 11 years ago as a Perioperative assistant in Central Processing Services. Since that time he has held positions as a CPS Technician and Coordinator. He has been the Central Processing Supervisor at Kingston General Hospital for the last 5 years.