Mary Cole, MSN, R.N., CIC, CJCP, has acquired experience from numerous clinical settings that provides the framework for her approach to utilizing standardization and evidence-based practices in the health care environment.
Cole has worked in infection prevention and control for more than 25 years, most recently as the director of infection prevention and control at a large academic trauma center in Atlanta. She has actively participated in numerous successful Joint Commission surveys.
Cole has experience in leadership, education and performance improvement, which has led to significant decreases in infections. She has produced multiple publications and received awards related to infection prevention and control.
Additionally, she is a Certified Yellow Belt. With this designation, she supports The Joint Commission’s activities associated with establishing and sustaining a Robust Process Improvement® (RPI®) culture. As a Certified Yellow Belt, she is trained in the foundational concepts and tools of problem solving and makes improvements to better meet customer expectations and organization objectives.
Cole has conducted hospital assessments and developed educational programs responsive to the needs of the community, geographic region and country.
Candace Eden, DNP, MSN, R.N., CPHRM, CPHQ, CPPS, FASHRM, NE-BC, is a distinguished health care consultant with four decades of nursing experience and a deep specialization in emergency, cardiac and trauma care. Her career spans bedside nursing in high-acuity settings to executive leadership in quality, risk management and patient safety. Over the past 13 years, Eden has held pivotal roles including vice president of quality and patient safety at Northside Hospital and corporate director of patient safety at Orlando Health, driving strategic improvements across diverse health care systems. She has been a licensed risk manager since 1997 and has led initiatives to enhance HCAHPS scores and regulatory compliance.
Eden is nationally recognized for her expertise in change management, performance improvement and regulatory strategy. She holds multiple certifications and is a Fellow of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management. Her leadership extends to professional organizations, having served as president of the Florida Society of Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Safety. A Master Trainer in TeamSTEPPS and graduate of the IHI Patient Safety Executive Development Program, Eden is committed to advancing safety culture and clinical excellence. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Central Florida, rounding out a robust academic foundation that supports her impactful career.
Kathy Eichner, R.N., MSN, CPHQ, CJCP, works with clients to achieve and sustain compliance with The Joint Commission standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, and operational process improvement by bringing her extensive experience in leadership, management, safety, performance improvement, regulatory compliance, outcomes management, and case management to her role as principal consultant for Joint Commission Resources.
A certified Joint Commission Yellow Belt and Change Agent, Eichner collaborates with her clients to identify and achieve optimal performance and compliance in all health care settings including hospitals, ambulatory centers, home care, behavioral health and disease-specific care programs. Eichner has provided services for a diverse set of organizations including hospital systems, academic teaching centers, children’s hospitals, behavioral health facilities, community hospitals, the Department of Defense, Indian Health Services and various ambulatory organizations.
Prior to Joint Commission Resources, Eichner served as both chief nursing officer and vice president of quality and utilization management in a five-hospital health care system. In these roles, she provided leadership and expertise to the system for patient care operations oversight, Joint Commission accreditation readiness and regulatory compliance, and performance improvement.
Previously, Eichner also served as system director of case management for this five-hospital system and director of collaborative practice for a community hospital, during which time she was responsible for development and oversight of case management, regulatory compliance, collaborative pathways, clinical outcomes improvement and access management. Her clinical experiences include intensive care, bone marrow and solid organ transplantation, pediatrics, trauma, and burn management and rehabilitation.
Lisa A. Greenlund, ARM, CHSP, is a seasoned health care consultant with more than 25 years of experience specializing in hospital environment of care, emergency management, life safety, risk management and patient safety. She has a proven track record of leveraging data to drive measurable improvements in safety programs for both patients and staff. Greenlund has shared her expertise nationally, presenting best practices at CMS, NAHQ and ASHE conferences. Her diverse background spans acute and ambulatory care, academic medical centers, physician practices, the Veterans’ Administration, and state behavioral health and forensic hospitals.
She has held key leadership roles including acting associate director of environment of care at Eleanor Slater Hospital and director of risk management and safety at Kent Hospital. She also served as patient safety event reporting manager at Rhode Island Hospital and as a senior program administrator with Healthcentric Advisors. A published author and recognized thought leader, Greenlund holds certifications as an Associate in Risk Management and a Certified Healthcare Safety Professional. She earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration from Capella University.
Robert Kepshire, MBA, M.A., M.S., R.N., CENP, has more than 35 years of experience in health care, where he has held clinical roles in emergency, trauma and ground/air transport care. He has held numerous administrative roles within patient care services: emergency care, critical and intermediate care, inpatient medical/surgical care, ambulatory care and clinical support services.
Kepshire has experience in accreditation readiness, quality and process improvement, medication safety, clinical project management, team facilitation, and clinical ethics. He has served on several committees for both state/national nursing organizations, health care industry workgroups, and has served as the editor-in-chief of a professional nursing journal.
Prior to joining Joint Commission Resources, Kepshire served as a hospital administrator and chief nursing officer for an acute care community hospital, which was part of a regional health care system, where he championed the provision of high-quality, safe, cost-effective and patient-focused care.
