Chief Operating Officer , WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals
Leslie Lawson
Chief Operating Officer , WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals
KRISTEN UPPERCUE
WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals ’ Chief Operating Officer Leslie Lawson completed her undergraduate degree in business administration , with a focus on finance , at Kansas State University . In her early career , Lawson pursued positions in finance but chose to step into the health care field in 2000 , working in payor contract negotiations and compliance for West Virginia University ( WVU ) Medicine . She later pursued an MBA with a focus in health care from Waynesburg University .
In 2015 , Lawson transitioned to a formal operational role at WVU Medicine .
She explains that this transition occurred as a result of her seeking out leaders in the organization to identify ways to connect her financial experience with the need to understand the strategic and operational needs and goals of the organization .
“ It also happened at a time when WVU Medicine went through executive leadership changes ,” Lawson says . “ Those new leaders , including Albert Wright and Amy Bush , were truly key in mentoring and supporting me in operational roles that better aligned with my skills and experience .”
Following her role as a manager of contracting at WVU Medicine , Lawson transitioned to director of the stroke
program , where she led the organization from primary to comprehensive stroke certification . She was then promoted to administrator for the WVU Medicine Heart and Vascular Institute and later became the assistant vice president .
In June 2022 , Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospital became affiliates of WVU Medicine , becoming full members of the health care system on January 1 , 2023 . Lawson became the vice president of operations at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals before being promoted to her current role as chief operating officer .
In this role , Lawson oversees the efficiency and effectiveness of the daily
Photo by Michael Switzer .
operations of the hospital and facilitates the coordination between all departments to meet the company ’ s needs . She participates in the development of strategic plans that help Thomas Hospitals meet its goals and ensure high levels of patient care and satisfaction .
“ Something I truly enjoy in this role is managing the complexity of the operations on a daily basis ,” she says . “ When an institution is growing and adding new services , it requires a different level of engagement and coordination by all our hospital departments . It ’ s also critically important to put time into supporting and educating your staff . Mentoring staff who want to continue
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