Beterra Client Leadership Series: Mariana V. Gattegno, MPH, CPHQ

Empathy Meets Excellence: Mariana at Shepherd Center

Mariana V. Gattegno, MPH, CPHQ exemplifies compassionate leadership in healthcare safety and quality at Shepherd Center, a renowned rehabilitation hospital specializing in spinal cord and brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other neuromuscular conditions.

A Journey Rooted in Compassion and Community

Mariana's passion for healthcare was deeply influenced by the strong women in her family, particularly her mother, whose unwavering compassion and support for others left an indelible mark. This early exposure inspired Mariana to pursue a career where she could combine her technical skills in process improvement with directly impacting people's lives.

She reflects, "I realized that if we all care for each other, we all get to grow together."

Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Patient Safety

In today's healthcare landscape, staffing shortages and clinician burnout present significant challenges. Mariana highlights that these issues are interconnected, negatively impacting the quality of care, patient safety, and overall satisfaction.

She emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through systemic changes, aligning with the Quadruple Aim framework, which integrates team member well-being alongside patient outcomes. "Addressing these issues is critical not just for the well-being of our teams but also for ensuring that patients receive the care and attention they deserve."

Innovative Initiatives Driving Quality Care

Shepherd Center has remarkably improved patient care quality. A notable example is the significant 55% reduction in hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) over two years, achieved through strategic implementation of standard work and best practices by the Wound Prevention Workgroup. Shepherd Center's current HAPI rate of 0.69 remains well below the national average.

Furthermore, the center has sustained a notably low rehospitalization rate, with only 1 in 10 patients requiring rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge.

Leadership Philosophy and the Role of Mentorship

Mariana believes effective healthcare safety and quality leadership hinges on strong communication, integrity, and genuine empathy. She asserts, "We are impacting people's lives and loved ones every day - compassion and kindness must be at the center of that."

She advises new professionals to remain patient, persistent, and always curious, encouraging them to ask "why" continuously as a fundamental component of quality and safety improvement.

Mariana's dedication to healthcare safety and quality at Shepherd Center exemplifies the profound impact of compassionate and innovative leadership. We at Beterra are proud to partner with leaders like Mariana and organizations like Shepherd Center.