Ali Birjandi has over 25 years of experience in healthcare performance optimization, and implementation of turn-around plans. Ali is nationally recognized as an expert in the design and deployment of system-wide Performance Improvement (PI) functions in major healthcare systems. He is an expert at developing corporate PI strategies, Six Sigma training programs, PMO development, and CQI expense reduction programs. Prior to joining CHRISTUS Health, Ali worked for Tenet Health System and ProMedica Health System as the VP of operational efficiency. Ali earned his BS degree in Operations Management along with MBA and MHA degrees from the University of Florida. Ali is certified as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt through ASQ and is a Certified Professional in Health Information Management Systems through HIMSS. Ali has been published numerous articles in national journals. Ali also co-authored the Discharge Planning Handbook for Healthcare, Productivity Press, New York 2008.