Stephen Ronstrom, Administrator
Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, WI

I've enjoyed working with you once again this past year. When we started last winter, you informed me that it would be nine months to effect a system and cultural change in the OR. I am very please with the results you have attained. When I retained you, we had major issues with doctors and employees. We had systems problems that management could not even define. We had political problems with the doctor owned ambulatory surgery and we did not have a business plan. We had no idea what to do to address theses issues.

You came on board, rolled up your sleeves... You helped me make administrative and management changes to provide proper leadership.

We are very happy with the results achieved and I believe we now have a first-class surgical department. Thank you as well for assisting with our master site planning and our negotiation on the hospital owned day surgery center. Your approach was thoughtful, compassionate, systematic and results oriented. You earned the respect of our doctors and employees. This is a stellar accomplishment and one vital to achieve.

I am very grateful for the work you have done for our patients, doctors and employees. I am also grateful for your personal support during difficult times. Thank you for all that you do.

Stan Berry, FACHE, Vice President
Performance Healthcare, Inc.

The true test of a high quality consultant is the ability of that individual to both recommend and implement successful strategies for solving problems and enhancing systems. You have certainly passed this test in my mind. It is the blend of academic achievement, clinical skills, and managerial experience coupled with your people-centered personality that makes you a superior among your peers. This is why I do not hesitate to call upon you when your advice and expertise is needed by me or one of Performance Healthcare's hospital clients.

...in 1996 when I was serving as the president of Hanford Community Medical Center (CA). You provided our hospital with interim management for several months in the surgery, intensive care and emergency departments. Besides providing highly competent leadership, you developed and implemented a set of recommendations in the surgery department that improved productivity, markedly reduced patient and surgeon scheduling issues, concentrated inventory, and enhanced the overall work environment. The hospital even remodeled support spaces per your recommendations. The cumulative impact of these changes was to boost physician satisfaction and utilization, improve staff morale, and enhance the operating margin. At the same time you also provide highly competent management in other clinical departments.

Not long ago my company engaged you to review the material management and clinic operations at a small, rural hospital in California. You were able to complete your review and provide a written report on a very time basis. Besides providing several recommendations for improvement, you also provided my partner and me with a number of very thoughtful insights into general hospital operations. We also appreciated your ability to successfully interact with physicians and staff in a politically sensitive and non-threatening manner.

Martha Stratton, Director Surgical Services
Formerly with St. Joseph's/Cander Health System, Savannah, GA
Presently VP Surgical Services - Jewish Medical Center, Louisville, KY

In 1994, Leslie was engaged to restructure the Operating Room block posting system. Needless to say, this was a very sensitive and highly political process. Leslie handled this issue with a great deal of grace and tact. As a consequence of her endeavors, we were able to successfully redistribute our allocated block times, which allowed us to grow our surgery business by 20% the next year.

When this same institution merged with another hospital in 1997, we again engaged her services to perform and overall audit of our scheduling system and operational effectiveness. Through Ms. Furlow's efforts, we were able to gain control of our block system and allocate blocks in a more equitable fashion. Her recommendations also greatly improved our workflow and overall utilization. Our volumes have increased by 30% since these changes were made and we continue to function with record efficiencies.

William Sparks, CHE, Chief Operating Officer
Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, Russellville, AR

Over the past six years, Ms. Furlow has provided consultative services for us her at Saint Mary's. During the time two major projects were complete by Leslie, one being a major review of the Surgical Services Department and the other being the Emergency Medicine Services Department. We found the quality of consultative services provided to be excellent and have been able to improve the departments stated due to the implementation of recommendations provided through the reviews. The scope of work provided has always been very thorough and executed in a very professional manner. The staff members who have been associated with these projects have been highly complimentary as well.

Antonia Hughes, Surgery Manager
Johns-Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
Formerly with Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD

I had the opportunity to work with Leslie Furlow during a departmental review. The department under review was the surgical services department in a community based medical center. I found her background knowledge to be a valuable asset to the project. Leslie conducted many department interviews during the data collection portion of the review. Leslie presented herself in a very professional and confidential manner. She carried out each interview within the time constraints of the project. I found her work to be well done and timely. I found her to have a very kind gentle nature during this project. Her analysis of this department facilitated restructuring for improved management workload.

Trish Light, Coordinator, Women in New Roles
Tarrant County Junior College, Fort Worth, TX

Thank you so much for everything! Your seminar was A+! It was engaging, fun and educational.

Rebecca Brewer, CHE, Chief Executive Officer
Colleton Medical Center, Walterboro, SC

"The on-site leader did a great job. I didn't hear from the staff or medical director the entire time she was onsite. I would recommend this service."