Susan Burroughs

Healthcare Executive | Hospital Leadership and Operations | Innovative Strategist | Board Advisor | Workforce Development and Career Mentor, Hospital & Health Care

Hi, I'm Susan Burroughs. Welcome to my profile!

Susan Burroughs's Bio:

Susan Burroughs, MHA, FACHE, is an accomplished innovative healthcare executive who began her career in healthcare leadership in Southern California, working in acute-care, not-for-profit, private, and government-owned organizations before matriculating to various southeast markets. Most recently, she served as the Chief Executive Officer at MUSC Health - Columbia Medical Center Northeast and the Fairfield Emergency Department and Imaging. As CEO, Susan successfully oversaw the vision and execution of MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast’s and Fairfield Emergency Department and Imaging’s strategic business, and patient care delivery plans. In addition, she was responsible for MUSC Health Midlands Division (3 Acute Care Hospitals, 1 Free Standing ED (FSED), 1 Urgent Care Center) Imaging, Pharmacy, Rehab Services, and Sleep Center service lines. Before joining MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast, Susan was the Chief Operating Officer at MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center and has held various Executive Leadership roles at LifePoint Health and HCA Healthcare. Susan's core values and goals are centered on expanding access to quality care and patient-centered services, especially in rural markets. She is passionate about leading large-scale projects that enable healthcare organizations to achieve unprecedented growth. Known for her willingness to disrupt the status quo, Susan advocates for and creates innovative projects and services that enhance access to care for all populations. Her expertise lies in galvanizing teams to explore creative business strategies that generate new revenue streams, increase efficiency, maintain market share, and drive market growth for hospitals and health systems. Susan is particularly interested in the rapid changes occurring in healthcare and is intrigued by innovative, disruptive commercial real estate models in emerging communities. She sees potential in mixed-use models that offer a more patient-centered approach to neighborhood care, significantly impacting population health by providing culturally competent care in urban, suburban, and rural markets. A frequent and sought-after speaker on leadership, healthcare, and hospital administration, Susan often shares best practices in hospital leadership. She is a Board-Certified Fellow of ACHE, Past President for the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and enjoys serving on multiple national, regional, and local boards and chambers of commerce that impact the communities served by her organizations. Ms. Burroughs holds a B.A. in Biology from California State University, Northridge, and is an alumna of the University of Southern California, where she earned an MHA degree and certifications in the management of ambulatory care systems and real estate. She is certified in LEAN Healthcare and a Six Sigma Green Belt.

Susan Burroughs's Experience:

  • Chief Execuitve Officer at MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast

    January 2022 - April 2023 | Columbia, SC

     Executive oversight of the vision, strategic business, and patient care delivery plans of MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast and Fairfield Freestanding Emergency Department and Imaging, and responsibility for MUSC Health Midlands Division (3 Acute Care Hospitals, 1 FSED, 1 Urgent Care Center) Imaging, Pharmacy, Rehab Services, and Sleep Center service lines.

  • Chief Operating Officer at MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center

    August 2021 - January 2022 | Camden, SC

     Executive oversight for health systems clinical, ancillary and support departments which include Cardiac Rehab, Cardiology, Cath Lab, Construction, Elgin Medical Pavilion Outpatient diagnostic center, EVS, FNS, Lab/Blood Bank/Pathology, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, Radiology, Rehab services, Respiratory, Sleep Lab, and Security  Manage the Ethics and Compliance Program for MUSC Health Midlands Division (3 Acute Care Hospitals, 1 FSED, 30 Physician and Sub-Specialty Physician Practices), Code of Conduct education to all staff, manage ethics investigations, reporting, and communication with regulatory agencies  Achieved successful Employee Engagement Press Ganey scores for 100% of my clinical, ancillary, and support departments trending from Tier 2 to Tiers 1 (Highest Level)

  • Chief Operating Officer at LifePoint Health KershawHealth

    June 2016 - August 2021 | Camden, SC

    KershawHealth is a comprehensive healthcare system with facilities in Camden, Elgin, Lugoff, Bethune and Kershaw, including the 119-bed Medical Center at Camden, Outpatient Center and Urgent Care at Elgin, West Wateree Medical Complex, Sleep Diagnostics Center, and Physical Therapy at Kershaw.  Executive oversight for health systems clinical, ancillary and support departments which include Cardiac Rehab, Cardiology, Cath Lab, Construction, Lab/Blood Bank/Pathology, Elgin Urgent Care Center and Outpatient diagnostic center, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, Radiology, Rehab services, Respiratory, and Sleep Lab  Manage the Ethics and Compliance Program for the health system, Code of Conduct education to all staff, manage ethics investigations, reporting, and communication with regulatory agencies

  • Vice President Provider Solutions at Resource Partners, LLC

    November 2013 - June 2016 | Charleston, SC

     Managed strategic projects, programs, and initiatives for hospitals, health systems, third-party payors, physician practice groups, and ACO’s within the Strategic Partnerships division to leverage revenue generation, cost reduction, readmissions, and care coordination opportunities Accomplishments:  Managed business development and marketing plan of multi-dimensional behavioral health screening assessment tool for start-up client  Managed revenue cycle improvement projects for 192 licensed acute care bed, Level 1 Trauma Center client to increase charge capture  Led the strategic partnership of mental and behavioral health managed care provider and domestic and international behavioral health startup client’s business development and marketing plans

  • Associate Chief Operating Officer at HCA

    February 2013 - August 2013 | Nashville, TN

    Managed multiple strategic projects and initiatives for Executive Development Program within the HCA Corporate Leadership and Organizational Development department to enhance the strategic decision making and performance of key Executive Leaders

  • Associate Chief Operating Officer at Trident Medical Center

    January 2010 - February 2013 | Charleston, SC

    Trident Medical Center is a 296 bed tertiary care facility that provides approximately 21,260 admissions, 171,693 outpatient visits, 2,950 deliveries, and approximately17,187 surgeries annually. Administrative oversight at 296 bed tertiary care facility for clinical, ancillary and support departments which include EVS, Food and Nutrition Services, Real Estate, Moncks Corner Medical Center, a freestanding ED and Outpatient diagnostic center, Outpatient Burn Clinic, Senior Health Center, new start up programs;Congestive Heart Failure and Valve Clinic's, and Valet services and management and planning of multi-million dollar construction renovations of multiple areas. Interim COO Responsibilities - Breast Care Center, Cancer Center, Diag. Imaging, Lab/Pathology, and Medical Staff services, Plant Operations, Respiratory, Security and Sports Medicine/Rehab (May 2012 - June 2012) Co-managed the Ethics and Compliance program for the health system, provided Code of Conduct education to all new and current staff, managed ethics investigations, reporting and communication with regulatory agencies.

  • Associate Administrator II at HCA Corporate

    August 2009 - February 2010 | Nashville, TN

    Responsible for providing Corporate leadership, evaluation, coordination and efficiency for multiple projects and services, with a specific focus on Operations, Finance, Safety and Security, Quality, Physician Relations and Emergency Preparedness.

  • Associate Administrator II at Memorial Hospital

    June 2007 - August 2009 | Jacksonville, FL

    Memorial Hospital is a 418 bed tertiary care facility that provides approximately 21,764 admissions, 92, 747 ED visits, and treats 155,166 annually. Provided market and facility administrative leadership, evaluation, coordination and efficiency for multiple projects and services, with a specific focus on Operations, Finance, Safety and Security, Quality, Physician Relations, Cardiac and Neuro service lines and Emergency Preparedness

  • Associate Administrator at HCA North Florida Division

    June 2006 - June 2007 | Tallahassee, FL

    The North Florida Division is comprised of 14 hospitals, 5 surgery centers, 5 cancer centers, and 8 imaging centers that are located in Florida and South Georgia. Responsible for providing Division, Market and Facility administrative leadership, evaluation, coordination and efficiency for multiple projects and services, with a specific focus on Operations, Finance, Safety and Security, Quality, Physician Relations and Emergency Preparedness.

  • Senior Project Manager at PacifiCare Health Systems a UnitedHealthcare Company

    March 2005 - June 2006 | Cypress, CA

    PacifiCare Health Systems was a fortune 500 healthcare company for more than 3 million plan members and 10 million specialty plan members that was acquired by United Health Group.  Directed Medicare Advantage Part D, HMO, Senior Supplement, and Private Fee-for-Service initiatives, overseeing a portfolio worth $500M in annual revenue within the Retiree Sales Department during UnitedHealth Group’s $9.2B merger and acquisition. Accomplishments:  Managed a retiree sales funnel spanning 10+ sales representatives, delivering financial reports that enabled the CFO to track and measure a 15% increase in revenue from new and potential clients during the merger and acquisition process.

  • Administrative Resident at Good Samaritan Hosptial, Los Angeles, CA

    November 2003 - August 2004 | Los Angeles, CA

    Good Samaritan Hospital is a unionized 408 licensed bed academic medical center that performs approximately 17,000 admissions, 93,500 outpatient visits, 4,000 deliveries, and 8,000 surgeries.  Completed rotations across 7 key departments, gaining expertise in healthcare finance, human resources, process engineering, facility planning, Lean Six Sigma, and strategic planning, contributing to the hospital's operational excellence.  Led projects that resulted in sustainable revenue growth and cost savings, impacting patient care services. Accomplishments:  Implemented a Bed Control tracking system in collaboration with 3 cross-functional teams, reducing patient wait times by 25% and increasing customer satisfaction by 20%.  Reactivated 15+ suspended Skilled Nursing beds, resulting in $400,000 in annual savings.  Developed and executed a strategic plan that boosted the neurosurgery market share of the Gamma Knife Center by 10%, despite intense market competition.

  • Administrative Intern at Department of Veterans Affairs- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

    May 2003 - August 2003 | Los Angeles, CA

    The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is the largest integrated healthcare organization in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is a Joint Commission accredited, complexity level 1a facility serving Veterans throughout Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.  Managed the Length of Stay (LOS) Implementation Plan, focusing on increasing bed capacity across the 716-bed VA Greater Los Angeles Health System (VAGLAHS). Accomplishments:  Coordinated action plans for 16 subgroups within the VAGLAHS LOS Task Force, working with physicians, nursing, case management, and social services to drive impactful decisions that reduced average LOS by 10%.  Created an Admissions Pathway for all VAGLAHS Post-Acute programs, leading to a 30% increase in consultation efficiency by educating over 50 physicians and residents.

  • Practice Administrator at Stanley H. Postar, O.D.

    August 1989 - May 2002 | Sherman Oaks, CA

     Directed the management of patient care continuum, financial operations, information systems, health information management (HIM), medical equipment, onboarding of new providers and revenue and expense initiatives, ensuring a 15% improvement in overall operational efficiency. Accomplishments:  Reduced outstanding receivables by 20% through strategic payer negotiations, appeals, and revenue reversals, while effectively managing bad debt write-offs and Coordination of Benefits.  Supervised patient management, revenue cycle, and insurance billing processes, leading to a 25% improvement in billing accuracy and a 10% reduction in claim resolution time.

Susan Burroughs's Education:

  • University of Southern California

    2002 – 2004
    MHA
    Concentration: Health Policy and Management

  • California State University-Northridge

    BA
    Concentration: Biology

Susan Burroughs's Interests & Activities:

Arts and Culture, Economic Empowerment, Health, Making a Difference