Career Retrospective: A Legacy of Innovation

Celebrating Karen Maloney’s impact on the exploding ASC landscape.

The name Karen Maloney, MSN, RN, BSN, CASC, is synonymous with ASC growth in the Western Pennsylvania region.

The remarkable expansion and evolution of the ASC landscape in the Keystone State and nationwide has mirrored Ms. Maloney’s own rise from the bedside to the boardroom in many ways. For more than three decades, her unwavering dedication to quality, efficiency and patient-centered care has left an indelible mark on our region’s healthcare system and has resulted in numerous top-ranked facility list honors by prestigious organizations such as Press Ganey (for “Stellar Patient Experience”) and U.S. News & World Report. Ms. Maloney is largely responsible for solidifying Western Pa.’s position as a leader in ambulatory surgery.

A nurse at heart

Like many outpatient leaders, Ms. Maloney’s journey began as an RN, a foundation that fueled her lifelong passion for patient care — and shaped the trajectory of her career. Through various roles at prominent institutions including Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Magee Womens Hospital and Jefferson Medical Center, she gained invaluable skills that shaped her future leadership style.

The pivotal moment in Ms. Maloney’s career came in 1997, when she became director of outpatient surgical services at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. There, she spearheaded the development and operation of a satellite surgery center, an experience that ignited her passion for the ASC model and its potential to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care.

This passion propelled Ms. Maloney to the forefront of the ASC movement in the region. She held key leadership positions at several facilities, including Waterfront Surgery Center, Butler Ambulatory Surgery Center and Tri-State Surgery Center. All of the facilities Ms. Maloney led demonstrated her expertise in three key areas:

• Operational excellence. Ms. Maloney mastered streamlining operations, implementing efficient processes and ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards. She spearheaded initiatives to optimize billing processes, increase revenue and secure accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

• Strategic growth. Recognizing the potential of the ASC movement, Ms. Maloney actively recruited new surgeons and practices, expanding access to high-quality care throughout the community.

• Patient-centered care. Patient safety and satisfaction was prioritized by Ms. Maloney above all else. She developed robust risk management, quality assurance and corporate compliance programs, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement to consistently meet the highest standards of care.

Expanded role

In 2013, she continued her leadership ascent by joining Highmark/Allegheny Health Network (AHN) as vice president of ambulatory surgical services. This role allowed Ms. Maloney to leverage her extensive experience and oversee the development and operation of six ASCs within the network. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing AHN as a leading provider in the ASC space, further cementing her legacy. This success is reflected in the network’s ranking among the top ASCs in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Maloney’s impact extends far beyond her direct contributions. She has served as a mentor for countless healthcare professionals, inspiring them to strive for excellence and innovation. Her unwavering commitment to quality, strategic vision and superior patient care created an enduring legacy on the regional healthcare landscape that will live on long after she retires from the industry she dedicated her career to advancing.

The words of leaders who worked alongside of Ms. Maloney speak volumes about what she means to the healthcare industry — particularly the outpatient sector.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Karen Maloney for nearly 15 years. Even before our collaboration at AHN, I was aware of her stellar reputation at Children’s Hospital,” says Frank Costa, MD, medical director of AHN’s Monroeville (Pa.) Ambulatory Surgical Center. “We began working together under AHN’s first CEO, who envisioned the integrated Highmark/AHN healthcare network. From the start, I was — and remain — deeply impressed by her knowledge and ability to transform complex visions into reality. Karen masterfully assembles the intricate details crucial to creating successful ASCs.”

Dr. Costa says her ability to coordinate diverse elements — geographical locations, efficient design, budget and construction timelines, regulatory compliance, staffing, policy development and operational oversight — is one of Ms. Maloney’s many talents, executed with confident humility.

“Karen never shies away from challenging tasks that would intimidate many peers,” he says. “Her dedication and devotion have significantly contributed to the creation and success of AHN’s nationally ranked ASCs. Her commitment to patient care, deeply rooted in her early career as an RN, has blossomed throughout her career, touching countless lives of patients and colleagues alike.”

James Benedict, president of AHN, echoes Dr. Costa’s praise. “Karen’s focus on patient care and the care experience is a testament to her professionalism and dedication to the people she touches everyday. Her continual pursuit of excellence in all aspects of the ASC operations is why she has achieved the success she has over the years,” he says.

Timothy Sauber, MD, chief medical operations officer at AHN, points to Ms. Maloney’s experience in the ambulatory surgery world and her impact on the entire AHN health system and the patients it cares for.

“Karen masterfully assembles the intricate details crucial to creating successful ASCs.”
Frank Costa, MD

“Karen has spent endless hours helping to develop protocols and plans to safely care for patients as we expand the types of surgeries we complete in the ambulatory surgery environment,” says Dr. Sauber. “On a personal level, her drive and determination to transition joint replacement surgery to the ASCs never wavered. Despite the seemingly endless regulatory burden, Karen persisted until our goal was achieved.”

Difference-making outpatient care

With retirement looming and Ms. Maloney entering the final chapter of her remarkable career, we wanted to celebrate her accomplishments. We hope Karen’s story will inspire other leaders in the outpatient space to continue pushing their facilities and the industry forward because, as you can see, one dedicated, committed and patient-centered leader can truly make a difference. OSM

(Editor’s note: If you know of a leader who inspires greatness and has left an indelible mark on the outpatient space, let us know! Email [email protected] or [email protected] with a brief description of why they deserve to be celebrated.)