About

Starting Semester: Fall 2026
Assigned: No
Location: Atlanta

Emory Healthcare

Client Profile

The Emory Healthcare Network, established in 2011, is the largest academically based, clinically integrated network in Georgia, with more than 3,800 physicians concentrating in 70 different subspecialties at over 580 provider locations. Our core purpose is to improve lives and provide hope by delivering exceptional care to our patients, their families and the communities we serve.

Project Description

Client Profile
The Quality Team oversees improvement projects addressing non-conformances and CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions) for Emory Healthcare Medical Laboratories. These labs serve 11 hospital sites, over 50 outpatient collection stations, and 200+ provider locations.

Key groups include:
• Specimen Processing: Centralized team responsible for receiving, sorting, and routing specimens to laboratory departments
• Couriers: Walking and vehicle-based teams transporting specimens between collection sites and laboratories

Client Need
This project examines the end-to-end workflow of specimen transport from collection to laboratory processing. Students will analyze current-state operations to identify inefficiencies, sources of variability, and coordination gaps across teams.

Areas of focus include:
• Visibility and tracking across the specimen lifecycle
• Bottlenecks at key transfer and handoff points
• Variability in courier and receiving practices
• Opportunities for automation (e.g., auto-login/accessioning)

Students will engage with operational stakeholders to develop data-informed, scalable process improvements.

Why It Matters
• Enhance patient care through reduced delays
• Decrease specimen loss and repeat testing
• Improve quality, safety, and operational performance

Additional Notes
• Site visits across Emory locations may be required
• Solutions must reflect diverse operational constraints

Skills

• Process Improvement
• Data Analysis
• Workflow Analysis
• Project Management
• Automation & Technology
• Communication Skills

Data Access Requirement