Suzan Azzam

Senior Healthcare Quality, Patient Safety, and Risk Management Leader with more than 20 years of experience in tertiary healthcare institutions. Proven expertise in leading hospital-wide quality improvement, accreditation readiness, and patient safety programs aligned with national and international standards including Joint Commission International (JCI), ISO, and Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Extensive experience in clinical governance, enterprise risk management, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance, with a strong record of driving sustainable quality outcomes and strengthening patient safety culture.

Recognized national expert and surveyor contributing to the development and assessment of healthcare accreditation standards in Lebanon.

Quality & Risk Manager - LAUMC- Rizk Hospital - Achrafieh, Lebanon

(2023-02)

• Lead hospital-wide Quality, Patient Safety, and Risk Management programs across all clinical and administrative departments.
• Direct preparation and coordination for national and international accreditation programs (MoPH, ISO, Joint Commission International).
• Oversee implementation of performance improvement methodologies including RCA, FMEA, and FOCUS-PDSA cycles.
• Lead quality audits and tracer activities to monitor compliance with accreditation standards and organizational strategic objectives.
• Monitor and analyze hospital-wide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive quality improvement and operational performance.
• Align hospital strategic goals with operational plans, ensuring effective cascading of institutional priorities to departmental initiatives.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to redesign and optimize
• Performance Improvement Committee – Secretary
• Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
• Infection Control Committee
• Morbidity & Mortality Committee
• Blood Transfusion Committee
• CPR Committee
• Operating Room Committee
• Emergency Department Committee
• Outpatients Clinics Committee

Total Quality Management (TQM) Director & Risk Manager - Bellevue Medical Center (BMC) - Mansourieh, Lebanon

(2010-12 - 2022-10)

• Directed hospital-wide Quality Management, Performance Improvement, and Risk Management programs.
• Led successful preparation and compliance with MoPH and Joint Commission International accreditation standards.
• Implemented Lean Six Sigma, RCA, HFMEA, and PDCA methodologies to enhance patient safety and
• Established hospital-wide quality monitoring systems and KPI dashboards to track performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Directed internal audits and accreditation readiness assessments across departments.
• Led initiatives to redesign clinical and operational processes to align with best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinated hospital Quality Management System implementation and internal accreditation readiness activities.
• Developed internal audit checklists, tracer tools, and compliance monitoring systems.
• Quality Council (Secretary)
• ETHICS (Secretary)
• Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
• Infection Control Committee
• Morbidity & Mortality Committee
• Community Affairs Committee
• Blood Transfusion Committee
• CPR Committee
• OR Committee
• ER Committee

Total Quality Management Coordinator & Lead Auditor - Dr. Erfan & Bagedo Hospital - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(1999-05 - 2010-12)

• Coordinated hospital Quality Management System implementation and internal accreditation readiness activities.
• Developed internal audit checklists, tracer tools, and compliance monitoring systems.
• Evaluated Occurrence Variance Reporting (OVR) data and produced analytical reports using data visualization and performance indicators.
• Delivered training sessions on Total Quality Management and patient safety principles.
• Led development of hospital policies, procedures, and operational manuals.
• Served as Document Controller for quality management documentation.
• Performance Improvement (Coordinator)
• Medical Records Committee
• Infection Control Committee

National Hospital Accreditation Surveyor - Ministry of Public Health – Lebanon - Lebanon

(2018)

Participate in national hospital accreditation surveys and evaluations.

National Expert – Accreditation Standards Review - Ministry of Public Health – Lebanon - Lebanon

(2016 - 2017)

Contributed to the review and enhancement of national hospital accreditation standards.

• Evaluated Occurrence Variance Reporting (OVR) data and produced analytical reports using data visualization and performance indicators.
• Delivered training sessions on Total Quality Management and patient safety principles.
• Led development of hospital policies, procedures, and operational manuals.
• Served as Document Controller for quality management documentation.

Quality Rights Assessor - National Mental Health Program – Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO) - Lebanon

(2020-02)

Conduct assessments of mental health facilities using the WHO QualityRights Toolkit, promoting quality of care and protection of patient rights.

MBA - Master of Business Administration - Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (2009)

BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration - Lebanese University (1996)