Full resume outlining 20+ years experience in law and healthcare. Legal and program management experience is explained. Emphasis on staff training and development.
1. LAURA H. MCALISTER, M.ED., PMP
(615) 479-2690 – laurahmcalister@gmail.com
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Project Management Professional with 20+ years experience in the legal and healthcare industries with emphasis in
clinical technology implementations, compliance, process improvement, and medical malpractice. Proven success in
leading strong project teams that consistently achieve results. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
with a reputation for forming productive business relationships at all levels. Excellent facilitation skills provide
motivation for high performance teams and strengthen stakeholder relationships. Demonstrated ability to remain
flexible in dynamic environments while managing multiple priorities to achieve project critical success factors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Program Director
HOSPITAL CORPORATION OF AMERICA, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE DEC 2012 – PRESENT
Responsibilities
• Program leadership and organization for 40+ clinical, technology, and operations projects
• Management, coaching/mentoring responsibilities for 15+ project management staff across 3 organizations
• Created program and operational structure/controls for multidisciplinary teams to accomplish specific goals
• Effective meeting facilitation and communication between corporate/facility stakeholders, multiple business
owners, and team members to accomplish requirements
• Created and facilitated strategic project deliverables such as project/program charters, business/technical
requirements, and implementation toolkits for use across the enterprise
• Development of business cases for enterprise deployments; budget oversight for 40M in approved projects
• Presented program updates/presentations to various business owners and senior level executives
• Proactive identification and management of program risks and issues; facilitated decision-making and obstacle
removal required for progress on projects
• Status reporting on projects and deliverables outlining progress/performance against budget guidelines
• Creation/delivery of training materials to further career development (Emotional Intelligence/ Communication)
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Leadership of the Medication Management program; enterprise clinical and technology deployments
• Realignment/turnaround of Patient Keeper Program for process, timelines, resources; budget managed in 2016
-2018 at 3% positive variance
• Strong relationship building/interpersonal skills with management, team building, mentoring and training staff
Sr. Project Manager
PARALLON BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, NASHVILLE TENNESSEE NOV 2008 – DEC 2012
Responsibilities
• Program oversight of technology, operations and clinical projects to accomplish corporate initiatives
• Effective communications with project sponsors, service centers, division and facility stakeholders
• Creation of project schedules that organize activities into manageable work packages for team members
• Author and edit project charters, presentations, and strategy documents for implementation toolkits
• Identification and management of risks, issues and project dependencies
• Facilitation of issue resolution between multiple departments to continue project progress
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Leadership of Shared Service Center programs implementing workflow technology solutions for both the
mailroom and scheduling units within prescribed roll out schedules and budgets
• Development of solid customer relationships earning trust and respect through the consistent resolution of
issues that exceeded sponsor expectations
2. IT SR. PROJECT MANAGER
AIM HEALTHCARE, NASHVILLE TENNESSEE JAN - MAY, 2008
Responsibilities:
• Leadership for IT enterprise projects ensuring successful completion on time, within budget and scope
• Collaboration with executive management defining project scope and deliverables to support the business
objectives
• Creation of project timelines and resource estimates using MS Project and SharePoint tools
• Effective delivery of progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations
• Coordination and negotiation with department managers for required staff and/or consultants when necessary
• Coaching, mentoring, and motivation of project team influencing action and accountability for assigned work
• Strong development of business relationships vital to the success of project work
• Negotiation and maintenance of vendor relationships and expectations with the business
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Leadership of enterprise level business intelligence project including hardware configuration and design
• Process improvement project for new client implementation department increased ROI through a client
qualification process, time saving efficiencies achieved via data collection utilizing database technology
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT IMPLEMENTATION
AIM HEALTHCARE, NASHVILLE TENNESSEE 2006 - 2007
Responsibilities:
• Program management of 30-48 projects, preparation of project plans, weekly status reports to clients and
operations
• Work with finance, sales, marketing and operations to determine client expectations and business profitability
• Partnership with Directors, Sales, Finance, IT, and Quality Control to create and improve the overall client
intake process including data flow, staffing, training and external client visits
• Implement communication strategies to ensure multiple departments are informed of client specific
information, i.e. project reporting, operational requirements, and line of business revenue expectations
• Management of Implementation Project Coordinator Staff
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Creation of Client Implementation division within AIM Healthcare servicing Data Mining, Audit Complete,
Specialty Audit Services and Overpayment Recovery Services
• Creation of Data Quality Assurance Program including standard operating procedures and workflows.
• Creation of Strategic Selling Profitability Model in partnership with finance and sales to enhance client
qualification and operational revenue
COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST, ISO 9001 INTERNAL AUDITOR 2005 - 2006
CIGNA GOVERNMENT SERVICES, DMERC MEDICARE OPERATIONS, NASHVILLE, TN
Responsibilities:
• Management of internal/external Compliance, SAS70, and ISO 9001 audit and regulatory projects
• Monitor the effectiveness of compliance and ISO corrective action plans by performing internal audits
• Coordinated annual Risk Assessment identifying compliance risks and preparation of recommendations
• Educated operational management and staff on internal controls and compliance principles
• Process analysis and work flow mapping to identify gaps and implement process improvements
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• RABQSA ISO 9001 Lead Internal Auditor for DMERC and support operational areas
• Project Manager for DMERC Operations ISO 9001 implementation
• Collaboration with IT professionals in the implementation of the Intelex document management system
• Systems Administrator for Intelex Document management system supporting 300+ employees
3. BUSINESS PROJECT SENIOR ANALYST (PROJECT MANAGER) 2005
CIGNA GOVERNMENT SERVICES, MEDICARE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, NASHVILLE, TN
Responsibilities:
• Project Manager for cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions to fulfill Statement of Work
objectives
• Analyze government contract documents, i.e. Requests for Information and Proposal, Statements of Work
• Development and maintenance of Microsoft Project plans to monitor project status
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Served as Project Manager in the creation and implementation of a customized electronic file management
system
• Developed training materials for SharePoint tools and served as application support and trainer for 30+ users
SENIOR PROCESS CONTROL CONSULTANT (SR. INTERNAL AUDITOR)
CIGNA, MEDICARE ADMINISTRATION, COMPLIANCE, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 2004
Responsibilities:
• Senior Internal Auditor for large scale audit project engagements managing additional audit staff
• Assessed internal controls in operational areas and design of test plans to identify their effectiveness
• Collection, research, and analysis of evidence, reached conclusions, and identified issues
• Provide strong organizational and analytical skills resulting in conclusive recommendations to improve internal
controls based on the results of the field work performed
• Investigate and resolve reported compliance issues at the direction of the Compliance Officer
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Cited on performance appraisal for “tenacious research and investigation of all aspects of her audits. Laura’s
legal background brings a unique skill set to our team as she is able to dissect large amounts of regulatory
information providing a thorough assessment of regulatory compliance for the operational area.”
CENTRAL IMPLEMENTATION FACILITATOR (ACCOUNT MANAGER)
CIGNA HEALTHCARE, PROVIDER DATA OPERATIONS, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 2001 - 2003
Responsibilities:
• Served as lead customer service and relationship liaison with assigned healthplan markets (Atlantic and Western
regions), providing support and technical assistance to provider contracting loading activities into healthcare
claims payment computer systems
• Facilitated meetings with business partners managing inventory and resolving technical claim payment issues
• Analyzed provider contracts for non-compliance against national contacting standards, providing improvement
recommendations
Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Provided leadership for Atlantic and Western regions regarding priority loads and root cause analysis of errors
or system issues. Elevated analysis findings for corrective action.
• Cited on performance appraisal for “outstanding communication, facilitation and team building skills; strong
organization and management skills; creative problem solver; tough negotiator; passionate and disciplined
commitment to achieving results.”
CERTIFIED PARALEGAL/BUSINESS SYSTEMS COORDINATOR
WILLIS NORTH AMERICA, INC., NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 1996 - 2001
Responsibilities:
• Provided paralegal services for corporate office location coordinating operations for Willis throughout North
America
• Performed legal research via Westlaw and the Internet to include attorney software instruction
• Facilitated third-party discovery requests for national operations, providing on-site services throughout
the U.S. in discovery organization and document production
4. Work Accomplishments and Highlights:
• Business Owner and Project Manager for the creation and implementation of an electronic case/file
management system (Legaledison)
• Developed training course materials for Legaledison and served as application support and trainer for 15 end
users
PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT
BASS, BERRY & SIMS, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 1993 - 1996
Responsibilities:
• Handled complex corporate litigation case management and trial preparation
• Managed deposition review, indexing and summarization
• Microsoft Access database development, discovery organization, contract review, and summarization
PARALEGAL/TRIAL ASSISTANT
BRODERICK, THORNTON & PIERCE, BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY 1987 - 1993
Responsibilities:
• Medical malpractice insurance defense trial and case preparation
• Drafting motions/affidavits, exhibits, deposition summarization and interviewing witnesses
LEGAL SECRETARY
REYNOLDS, CATRON, JOHNSTON & HINTON, BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY 1980 - 1987
Responsibilities:
• General legal secretarial administration for corporate, banking, litigation and domestic relations
EDUCATION
BELMONT UNIVERSITY BELMONT UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Business Administration Masters of Education/Organizational Leadership/Communication
May 2001 Expected Graduation May 2017
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SOUTHEASTERN PARALEGAL INSTITUTE
Associate Legal Secretarial Science ABA Approved Program
May 1981 Paralegal Certificate 1995
CERTIFICATIONS
PMI PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE AQS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (PMP) ISO 9001:2000 CERTIFIED INTERNAL AUDITOR
FEBRUARY 2008 AUGUST 2005
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER CERTIFIED LEGAL ASSISTANT (CLA)
Practitioner Certificate in Project Management National Association of Legal Assistants
Spring 2004 Designation, January 1997
AFFILIATIONS
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Practicing Law Institute (PLI) Faculty Member
Belmont Church, Nashville, TN
LawVision Consulting
Fun2Growon, LLC
5. PRESENTATIONS / TRAINING
LEADERSHIP THROUGH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE – FUN2GROWON
HCA, Clinical Informatics October 2017
MEETING MANAGEMENT 101
HCA, Clinical Informatics, November 2015, July 2016, January 2017
COMMUNICATORS IMPROV TOOLBOX – FUN2GROWON
PMI Leadership Community of Practice, May 2015
LEGAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOOT CAMP – PROJECT EXECUTION
American Bar Association, January 2015
BRIDGE THE GAP – PANEL DISCUSSION – LEGAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
New York City Bar Association, July 2013
THE VALUE AND BENEFIT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT - MAKING PROJECTS WORK
HCA Lunch and Learn Series, June 2013
APPLYING LEGAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT – HOW DOES IT CHANGE DAY TO DAY LAWYERING?
Project Management for Lawyers, Practicing Law Institute (PLI) January 2013
THE CHALLENGE – CONVERTING TEAMS TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
LawVision Legal Project Management Roundtable, September 2012