Ms. Leonard serves as deputy chief of quality management, leading accreditation, risk management, external peer review and patient safety initiatives to ensure high-quality and cost-effective care. She recently took on the role after over two decades at UAB Hospital, also in Birmingham, where she launched a service line quality variance process that led to measurable safety gains and evolved into an accountable care team structure. Under her leadership, the UAB Hospital achieved a 35% decrease in catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 8% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection and a 9% increase in hand hygiene compliance. Ms. Leonard also introduced a “patient first” program, fostering a transparent culture of safety and improving voluntary event reporting by 27%. Her work led to a 31% reduction in serious safety events and earned national and state recognition for UAB Hopsital. She continues to advocate for quality care and safety as an active member of the National Association of Health Services Executives.
