We are Surgical Directions' Client of the Year for Perioperative Performance

We have been named 2025 Client of the Year by Surgical Directions in recognition of our leadership in advancing perioperative performance through physician-led governance, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a sustained commitment to operational excellence. 

Surgical Directions recognizes healthcare organizations every year for demonstrating exceptional leadership, measurable performance improvement, and a commitment to advancing patient care through innovative approaches to perioperative operations. Carilion was selected for its work to strengthen the infrastructure, governance, and collaboration that support high-performing surgical services across the organization.

Our investments in surgical services have focused on improving access, strengthening collaboration among clinical leaders, and creating a sustainable framework for continuous improvement. 

“Our success was about creating a sustainable system for continuous improvement,” said Stephen Lovern, Vice President, Department of Surgery and Anesthesia. “By bringing surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing leaders, and administrators together through a shared governance structure, we created an environment where accountability, transparency, and collaboration drive better decisions every day.”

“Surgical Directions helped us build the foundation, but the real achievement belongs to our physicians, nurses, and staff who embraced the work and continue to advance it. We're honored to receive this recognition and proud of what our teams have accomplished for our patients and communities.”   

A key part of our work has been developing an integrated perioperative governance structure that brings surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing leaders, and hospital executives together around shared goals, performance measures, and strategic priorities. 

The result is ongoing improvements while keeping clinicians and operational leaders closely engaged in the decisions that shape surgical services. 

“Carilion is an excellent example of what can happen when a health system brings its clinical and operational leaders together around a shared vision for surgical excellence,” said Joan Stroud Cox, Nursing Consultant for Surgical Directions. “Their leaders have created a strong foundation for collaboration and accountability, and they continue to build on that foundation. We are proud to recognize the work Carilion’s physicians, nurses, administrators, and staff have accomplished and the momentum they have created for the future.” 

At the center of our approach is a physician-led Surgical Services Executive Committee that brings together key stakeholders across surgery, anesthesia, nursing, and administration to guide strategic decisions and support performance across the perioperative enterprise. 

We also established multidisciplinary performance improvement teams, standardized operational metrics, advanced block scheduling practices, and strengthened communication across departments. Together, these efforts have supported measurable improvements in our surgical operations and patient access. 

The outcomes the Carilion team achieved through the initiative include: 

• Improved first-case on-time starts.  
• Reduced operating room turnover times through standardized processes and enhanced multidisciplinary coordination. 
• Improved utilization of surgical capacity and expanded patient access. 
• Established physician-led governance structures that continue to operate and evolve today. 
• Strengthened collaboration among surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing leaders, and hospital administration. 
• Developed internal leadership capabilities that support continuous performance improvement. 

“One of the things that makes Carilion’s work so impressive is the way they have made continuous improvement part of their long-term approach to surgical services,” said Leslie Basham, President and CEO of Surgical Directions. “They have built the structures and relationships needed to bring the right people together, use data to guide decisions, and keep improvement moving forward. We are honored to recognize Carilion and the people across their organization who have made this work possible.” 

Our partnership with Surgical Directions reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the systems that support high-performing surgical services. Through physician-to-physician and clinician-to-clinician collaboration, Surgical Directions worked alongside our teams to help us develop governance structures, performance improvement processes, and operational strategies designed to remain effective beyond the initial engagement. 

Today, the governance structures established through this work continue to guide strategic decisions, support operational performance, and advance patient access across Carilion’s surgical services enterprise. 

“Carilion’s journey demonstrates what is possible when a health system builds on the expertise and commitment already within its organization and creates the structures to bring that expertise together,” Basham added. “Their commitment to collaboration, accountability, and patient-centered excellence has made them a deserving recipient of our 2025 Client of the Year Award.”