Continuous Process Improvement: Using Systems Engineering to Improve Laboratory Operations

May 11-12, 2011
Rochester Marriott Hotel
Rochester, Minnesota

Faculty

Mayo Clinic Rochester Faculty

Fazi Amirahmadi, PhD
Systems Engineering Manager
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Fazi Amirahmadi is a Systems Engineer Manager in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) at Mayo Clinic Rochester with more than 20 years of industrial, teaching and consulting experience. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Prior to Joining Mayo in March of 2005, he was a Senior Management Engineer at UW-Stout Outreach Center interacting with manufacturing companies in Midwest, delivering public and on-site seminars/workshops; providing technical assistance in Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma. Also, he was an adjunct professor at The University Wisconsin-Stout teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and thesis advisor for graduate students. He is certified ASQ-Six Sigma Black Belt.

Michael J. Baisch
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Mike Baisch started with the Mayo Clinic in April of 2005, taking the position of a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from North Dakota State University.  During his time at Mayo, he has conducted classes and facilitated teams in the areas of Problem Solving using Root Cause Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Capacity Planning, Cellular Design and Flow, Pull Systems (KanBan), and Statistical Process Control.  Prior to joining the Mayo team he worked in the medical device manufacturing arena as a program engineer with responsibilities that included continuous improvement on time to delivery, error proofing, and regulation compliance.

Erin J. Brach
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Erin Brach is a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the Mayo Clinic.  Erin supports various continuous improvement projects for the Division of Transfusion Medicine.  She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering as well as certificate in Systems Engineering.  Prior to joining the Mayo Clinic, Erin was a Systems and Project Engineer at Jacobs Technology working on projects supporting the International Space Station and Constellation programs.  She also spent time Lockheed Martin performing loads analysis on the F-35, Joint Strike Fighter.

Andrew J. Bridgeman
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Andrew Bridgeman is a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic.  He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt that has worked in both the manufacturing and healthcare industries applying Lean and Six Sigma continuous improvement concepts.  His educational background includes an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.

Richard O. Carlson
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Richard Carlson is a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic.   He earned his BA in Biology at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1983 and joined the Cytogenetics Laboratory at Mayo the same year.  Richard worked in this laboratory for 13 years as technologist, technical specialist and assistant supervisor and 9 years as supervisor.  Since becoming a member of the Systems Engineering team in 2005, he has facilitated improvement projects in office and laboratory settings.  He has also provided instruction and training on the principles and tools of Lean and Six Sigma improvement methodologies.

Matthew A. Clark
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Matthew Clark is a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Prior to joining Mayo in 2010, Matthew had served as Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing at an architectural glass optical coating and fabrication company.  He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Winona State University, Lean training from HNI (HON) Industries, Six Sigma and Black Belt Training from Air Academy and Associates.

Albert DalBello
Operations Administrator
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Albert DalBello joined Mayo Clinic in 2004 to support Mayo Medical Laboratories’ Rochester operation. He has played an active role in the laboratory moves to the Superior Drive Support Center, and the automation and process improvement activities taking place within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Prior to joining Mayo Clinic, DalBello had 25 years of experience in Operations Management, Supply Chain and Customer Service at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, and Bethesda, Maryland. He is certified in Lean Six Sigma and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management.

Jerry Dietenberger
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Jerry Dietenberger is a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. Prior to joining Mayo in 2007, he held positions as a customer engineering manager at a global distribution company in the technology industry and a process engineer in electronics manufacturing.  Jerry is an ASQ certified Six Sigma Black Belt and he holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and is currently pursuing an MBA from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Joy Gomez
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Joy Gomez is a Systems Engineer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic.  Prior to joining Mayo in 2008, Joy spent 21 years at United Parcel Service as an Industrial Engineer/Operations Manager.  He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from New Jersey institute of Technology. He is certified ASQ - Six Sigma Black Belt.

Mohammed Mustapha
Systems Engineer
Mayo Medical Laboratories

Mohammed Mustapha is a systems engineer at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. He is a certified Six Sigma black belt. Mohammed has led several continuous improvement projects in the division of Clinical Core Laboratory Services applying Lean and Six Sigma tools. Prior to joining Mayo in 2006, Mohammed spent six years as a design engineer and four years as a quality black belt at General Electric. Mohammed earned his MS in Electrical Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.