James R. Benté

In this capacity, Jim engaged internal and external stakeholders, constituency groups, and student leaders in developing and implementing the College’s first ever comprehensive, multi-year strategic long rang plan. In addition, Jim is responsible for ensuring high performance and on-going accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As an innovator, Jim introduced and championed efforts that resulted in COD being one of seven intuitions approved by the HLC to pilot the AQIP-Bladrige Option for reaffirmation of accreditation. As a member of the Senior Management Team, Jim has oversight responsibility for the Office of Research and Analytics and serves as a key advisor to the College’s President on matters impacting the College and the communities it serves.

As an adjunct assistant professor of health systems at Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College of Public Policy and Management, Jim currently teaches in the Masters of Medical Management program, one of the top physician executive graduate programs in the nation. In addition, between 1994 and 2000, Jim taught in the Master of Public Management program.

From 2000 to 2009, Jim served as Vice President of Quality & Operations Improvement for Memorial Health System (MHS), a multi-hospital system located in Springfield, Illinois. At MHS, Jim developed strategies and provided leadership that resulted in improved clinical and operational performance outcomes. While at MHS, Jim was the principal writer of a state Baldrige-based award application, an effort that resulted in being recognized with an Illinois Performance Excellence Award for Progress Towards Excellence. Being responsible for compliance, Jim developed and implemented an evidenced-based annual Quality & Safety Audit process that produced exceptional result with accrediting and regulatory agencies.

Before starting with Memorial Health System in April 2000, Jim was Vice President of Quality Management for Heritage Valley Health System in western Pennsylvania. At Heritage Valley, Jim was a part of the executive team who planned and successfully merged two community hospitals and affiliated organizations to form a comprehensive health care system.

From 1989 through 1995, Jim served as Vice President of Quality & Organizational Development for VHA Pennsylvania, a regional health care alliance. In this first of its kind role, Jim provided technical guidance and leadership for the design and implementation of a comprehensive Continuous Quality Improvement strategy for over twenty-five VHA affiliated health care organizations.

Jim has presented at numerous local, state, and national conferences, is a published author, and is a member of ASQ’s Quality Press Review Board. From 2007 through 2012, Jim served on the Panel of Judges for the Illinois Performance Excellence Awards for Excellence, the state’s Baldrige-based quality program.

Jim received a diploma in professional nursing (RN) from Saint Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh, holds an undergraduate degree in Health Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University, and has a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University. In addition Jim has compiled several hundred hours of continuing and professional education in the areas of quality and safety management, statistical and analytical methods, strategic and tactical planning, organizational development, problem solving, and change management.