Dr. Paul DeChant Joins Simpler Consulting As Executive Director Of Clinical Operations And Innovation

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Simpler Consulting, a Truven Health Analytics Company and leading global management consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Dr. Paul DeChant to the role of Executive Director, Clinical Operations and Innovation. As former CEO of Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, DeChant brings deep, real-world expertise in Lean transformation. DeChant will provide strategic direction for enhancement and innovation of the healthcare delivery system for Simpler and its clients.

"Throughout his career as a healthcare leader, Dr. DeChant has been at the forefront of utilizing Lean thinking to establish a patient-centric vision and transform healthcare organizations, both in performance and culture," said Marc Hafer, chief executive officer, Simpler Consulting. "As a disruptive innovator and radical change agent in the delivery of healthcare, Dr. DeChant will be an integral part of Simpler's work with our customers to create meaningful, lasting improvements to healthcare as we know it."

DeChant is a physician executive with more than 25 years of clinical and management experience in all aspects of medical group governance, with an emphasis on quality improvement, strategic planning, financial growth, acquisitions and Lean workflow redesign. Most recently, he served as CEO of Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, a not-for-profit health care organization dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care. Under his tenure, through implementation of Lean process philosophy, the organization's more than 300 primary and specialty care physicians achieved significant improvements to efficiency, costs and quality of care. Highlights of DeChant's contributions include:

• Implementing an organization-wide Lean management system and culture, empowering providers and staff in continuous daily improvement, resulting in highest levels of provider and patient satisfaction;
• Increasing profitability while reducing costs;
• Recognition of Sutter Gould and its affiliated medical group as the highest rated in overall care among 170 California medical groups, as noted in the February 2014 edition of Consumer Reports.

During his tenure with Sutter Health, DeChant also was President of the Palomares Division of Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) and was elected Chair of ACME, Sutter's Administrative Council of Medical Executives. In those roles DeChant launched programs to drive quality and service improvements and cost reductions throughout the system. He has also held leadership roles at Geisinger Health System, High Country Health Care and P.C./Breckenridge Primary Care.

"Lean is a critical element in today's healthcare environment, and in collaboration with Simpler, I have seen first-hand how our health system can benefit when hospital leadership, clinicians and staff embrace Lean management," said DeChant. "I look forward to joining the Simpler team to bring organizations the resources and philosophy needed to ensure that patients are receiving the level of care they deserve, without adding unnecessary costs to an already inflated healthcare system."

DeChant has been an active member of prominent national organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Group Association and the Group Practice Improvement Network. He has maintained a high level of civic contributions and community service throughout his career, including founding a free medical clinic for homeless shelter clients, developing a primary care education program and volunteerism in undeveloped countries. DeChant graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received his medical degree from the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine and earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado-Denver.

About Simpler Consulting, L.P.
Simpler Consulting, A Truven Health Analytics Company, is a leading global management consulting firm that helps companies improve processes to stimulate business-impacting results. Unlike traditional management consulting firms that specialize in developing strategy but fall short on execution, Simpler plays an active role helping clients to create an organizational culture that continuously seeks out opportunities to make improvements. With its proprietary Simpler Business System®, Simpler® has delivered the fastest and most enduring Lean transformations at hundreds of organizations around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.simpler.com.

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SOURCE Simpler Consulting, L.P.