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Kusnierz named director of functional excellence

10 / 23 / 2006

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MENASHA, Wis. – Affinity Health System has named Gary Kusnierz as director of functional excellence. Kusnierz has been Affinity’s director of construction and development for the past five years.

In his new role, Kusnierz will lead customer service and quality initiatives for the entire system. Specifically, Kusnierz will be charged with developing and incorporating LEAN principles throughout Affinity. LEAN is a process that helps organizations eliminate waste and become more efficient in the delivery of products and services to its customers. Historically associated with the manufacturing industry, it is becoming more popular in other industries.

“We’re going to be challenging the status quo like never before,” Kusnierz said about his new role. “In the end, we’re going to provide exceptional customer service to our patients.”

Kusnierz received his master’s degree in engineering management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. During his graduate work, Kusnierz studied extensively the principles of LEAN and completed his thesis on applying LEAN in health care. Kusnierz earned his LEAN Lead Certification and Master LEAN Lead Certification in the Toyota Production System. Kusnierz, who serves on the University of Wisconsin Madison continuing education presenter panel, has spoken both locally and nationally on applying LEAN in health care.

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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a Catholic mission-oriented regional health care network, is a partnership of Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Affinity Health System is the Fox Valley’s third largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and is ranked 24 among the top 100 integrated health care networks nationwide (Verispan 2008). Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent among hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Network Health Plan has achieved Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest possible level. It is ranked 37th among the 250 rated health plans in the nation in terms of customer satisfaction and clinical performance, according to the U.S. News and World Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America listing. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Community Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 23 family practice and specialty clinics in 13 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; Network Health Plan, Menasha; and Affinity Occupational Health.