ISyE Seminar Series: Kayla Fahey-Ahrndt
"Building Proactive Systems: Lessons from Healthcare Operations"
Kayla Fahey-Ahrndt
Transfusion Medicine Program Manager
M Health Fairview
About the Seminar:
In healthcare, where the stakes are high and the pace is relentless, leaders must design systems that anticipate problems before they occur. In this talk, Kayla Fahey-Ahrndt shares how she built and led a system-wide transfusion medicine program across M Health Fairview — transforming reactive processes into proactive, reliable systems that support both patient safety and team efficiency.
Drawing on her leadership experience guiding multiple laboratories through major changes — from technology upgrades and process standardization to new site integrations — Kayla offers practical lessons in proactive systems design, change leadership, and continuous improvement. Attendees will learn how to apply core principles of systems engineering and Leader Standard Work to create structure, foster accountability, and build teams that can thrive in complexity.
Through real-world examples from healthcare operations, this session reveals how strong systems — and the leaders who design them — can drive consistent results, reduce burnout, and create meaningful impact across an organization.
About the Speaker:
Kayla Fahey-Ahrndt, MPH, MLS(ASCP)cmSBBcm is a passionate healthcare leader and podcast host. As the Transfusion Medicine Program Manager at M Health Fairview, she oversees system-wide Blood Bank operations, Apheresis, and Cell Therapy laboratories, ensuring excellence in patient care, safety, and operational efficiency. Kayla graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Medical Laboratory Science program and is a national board-certified Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Blood Banking. She also holds a Masters of Public Health from George Washington University. Kayla is the host of Get Organized at Work podcast, designed to help professionals create systems for career advancement, project management, productivity, and leadership.
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