Sharon Weidner Hickman

About Sharon Weidner Hickman

I’m a healthcare executive who thrives at the intersection of strategy, systems, and leadership. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve led enterprise transformation, cultural change, and operational improvement across for-profit, nonprofit, and academic health systems. Known for simplifying complex challenges, engaging stakeholders, and implementing scalable solutions that sustain long-term performance gains across all care settings. My passion is helping leaders connect vision to execution. Whether building integrated operating models, launching leadership development programs, or redesigning safety infrastructure, I focus on building structures that engage people, clarify priorities, and deliver results.I’ve served as a VP and AVP in large health systems, co-founded two national consultancies (Adaptient and ChangeZen), and advised CEOs and clinical leaders across the country. My background spans safety science, quality improvement, operational strategy, leadership development, and human-centered system design.As Co-Founder and COO of Adaptient, I co-lead all aspects of the firm’s strategy and operations—from service design and client delivery to business development and growth. Working in close collaboration with a physician partner, We meet health systems where they are at to build internal capability, improve system performance, and advance high-reliability care. I also teach Human Factors in Healthcare as a graduate lecturer at Auburn University and serve on the National Advisory Council for AHRQ. I hold multiple certifications in coaching, safety, quality, lean, and change leadership.I’m actively pursuing healthcare board opportunities and open to executive engagements that align with my expertise in transformation, organizational development, and leadership performance.

Experience

1. Co-founder, President & COO

   Adaptient, Llp

   Apr 2023 — Present · Greenville, SC, US

   Co-founded a national consultancy focused on healthcare transformation, resilience, and high-reliability performance. Lead strategy, service design, and operations in close collaboration with a physician co-founder. Wear multiple hats across product development, client engagement, and business growth.Key contributions:Co-designed a proprietary transformation framework integrating human factors, systems engineering, and improvement science.Developed executive training aligned with CMS 2025 Safety Measures to help leaders operationalize safety and performance expectations.Operationalized a learning management system to scale virtual delivery of training programs across partner organizations.Forged a national partnership with HFACS, Inc. to embed structured causal analysis into event response, strategy, and change leadership.Designed and delivered programs that equip leaders and teams to improve safety, efficiency, and experience outcomes through better work design and system thinking.Contributed to business development, client relationships, and scaling service delivery.

Education

• Auburn University

  Bachelors, Industrial Engineering

  1987 — 1992

• Western Governors University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Healthcare Management

  2015 — 2017

Skills

• Minitab
• Hospitals
• Organizational Development
• Revenue Cycle
• Quality Improvement
• Value Stream Mapping
• Process Improvement
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Healthcare Consulting
• Data Analysis
• Six Sigma
• Emr
• Quality Assurance
• Project Management
• Healthcare Information Technology (Hit)
• Informatics
• Healthcare Industry
• Healthcare
• Hipaa
• Software Documentation
• Analysis
• Training
• Customer Satisfaction
• Healthcare Management
• Nursing
• Business Process Improvement
• Program Management
• Leadership Development
• Team Facilitation
• Operational Excellence
• Clinical Research
• Ehr
• Leadership
• Continuous Improvement
• Performance Improvement
• Strategic Planning
• Strategy
• Visio
• Team Building
• Management