Blake Harrington Email and Phone Number

Supervision and management of day to day duties for the administrative team in support of the Division’s research, education, and other academic service missionsPrepare, manage, and present annual reports and budgets, in addition to coordinating year end close activities for the Division. The overall budget for the division totals $52m (Includes clinical faculty), as well as grant funding in the amount of $15m per year. Serve as Division level HR administrator, responsible for all personnel related transactions including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, timecard review and approval, as well as visa processing.Monitor, reconcile, and reporting of all Division accounts including the creation of future year projections to identify and address deficit issues. Collaborate with our Grady leadership team to ensure effective operations of the faculty practice at Grady Health System. Served as interim administrator for the Division of Digestive Diseases and Division of Rheumatology/Immunology during a period of administrative transition.

Partner with department administrators, chairs, chiefs, and other department leaders across 3 departments (Surgery, Urology, and Otolaryngology) on all aspects of Emory at Grady business including operations, finance, human resources, and strategic planning. Serve as the functional lead administrator by representing the department in absence of the department administratorManage Grady SOM operating budget/contract of $12.5m (Surgery), $1.8m (Urology), and $1.3m (Otolaryngology)Manage and report complex financial portfolios for departmental chair packages in Surgery and Urology which total approximately $2m per yearKey player in the Emory @ Grady budget/scope of service process, and larger departmental SOM budget processSupervisory and performance management responsibility over 4 Admin Assistants, 1 Patient Care Coordinator, 3 Urology PAs, 1 ENT NP, and 1 Audiologist. Provide team building and training to staff when appropriateParticipate in interviews and decision-making process of new recruitments at all levelsHelp troubleshoot complicated HR issues for staff, faculty and APPs

Assisted the department administrator across 3 departments (Surgery, Urology, and Otolaryngology) in all aspects of running the Emory at Grady business which includes operations, finance, human resources, and strategic planning.Managed and reported financials for departmental chair packages for Surgery and Urology which equaled approximately $2.0 million per yearAnalyzed and forecasted other departmental and operational expenditures and budget variances such as designated funds, internal grants, and endowmentsWas responsible for revenue cycle management and implemented plans for improvement of MD and APP billing practicesLiaisoned with Grady hospital staff for clinical operations and creation of new processes to improve throughput and increase patient satisfactionServed as key player in the Emory @ Grady and larger department SOM budget process. Was the go to resource for the university finance team for institutional context, and best practices for tracking and monitoring the monthly tracking of financials, and creation of presentations to bring awareness to department policies and proceduresSupervisory and performance management responsibility over 4 Admin Assistants, 1 Patient Care Coordinator, 3 Urology PAs, 1 ENT NP, and 1 Audiologist

Was responsible for revenue cycle management for surgical services representing three departments (Surgery, Urology, and Otolaryngology) at Grady Memorial Hospital Worked closely with department chiefs and other physician leaders to analyze revenue cycle and hospital quality data. Strategize ways to increase physician productivity, charges/collections, and meet quality objectives.Liaised with Grady hospital staff to assist with clinical operations and creation of new processesInvolved in the organization and interpretation of the Emory/Grady contract and annual budgeting processAnalyzed and forecasted departmental and operational expenditures and budget variancesManaged four administrative staff who supported Faculty, APPs, and FellowsPost award management of federal and non-federal research grants, including complex award mechanisms such as T32, F32, and DOD awards

Was responsible for the post-award administration of a federal and non federal sponsored programs portfolio within the divisions of General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Oral Surgery, Pediatrics, Vascular Surgery, and clinical trials at Grady Hospital. Monitored, audited, and reconciled sponsored and non-sponsored accounts (includes endowments and other restricted funding sources) to ensure accuracy and complianceProvided financial planning, trending, forecasting, and budgeting to surgery leadershipPrepared university fiscal year budget for select surgery divisionsServed as the project manager to prepare Grady Trauma director for a rigorous external review of the Trauma program and verification by the American College of Surgeons which represents the highest level of Trauma recognition that a center may obtain

Performed routine and complex accounting activities using the Emory PeopleSoft system to help manage the department of surgery grant portfolioWorked closely with the Director of Academic Programs and Administration to problem solve administrative issues Conducted frequent strategic reviews of non-sponsored accounts which have resulted in significant departmental savingsMonitored activity on various sponsored accounts and coordinated appropriate action to correct account balances, resolve funding issues, and maintain proper accounting controls and proceduresServed as the “department coordinator” in the effort certification process to ensure compliance with federal guidelinesReviewed and approved departmental expense reports and payment requests

Provided administrative support to the Senior Advisor of the Primary Care Initiative which addresses the integration of mental health services into the primary care settingManaged and performed numerous administrative, organizational, and logistical tasks for a two day conference for leaders in the field of health promotion, prevention, and behavioral healthSynthesized and provided background information from professional sources on healthcare reform and mental health policy

Managed all aspects of research efforts including lab visit preparation, data collection, recruitment of subjects, and other administrative dutiesCoordinated and supervised seven research fellows and trained them on data collection procedures, recruitment, and general data managementCarried out data collection procedures and prepared data for analysisOperated, maintained, and troubleshot technical laboratory equipmentAnalyzed, wrote-up, and presented research data at two major national conferences (APS, NIH)