Lean Six Sigma overview
Lean Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology that helps organizations work more efficiently by reducing inefficiencies, minimizing errors, and improving overall quality. It combines the principles of Lean, which focuses on eliminating activities that do not add value, with Six Sigma, which focuses on reducing process variation and defects. Together, these approaches help businesses streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, lower costs, and increase productivity. Lean Six Sigma is used across many industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and technology, to create more consistent and effective business processes.
At its core, it helps teams work smarter by improving systems—not by working harder.
What YOU wIll Learn
In this cohort, you will learn how to:
- Identify inefficiencies in everyday work processes
- Solve problems using a structured, step-by-step method
- Improve workflows to save time and reduce frustration
- Use simple data to make better decisions
- Apply practical tools that improve quality and consistency
You’ll also gain the mindset that most workplace challenges come from the process—not the people—and learn how to improve systems in a constructive way.
How You Will Use It in Your Daily Work
What you learn won’t stay in the classroom. You’ll apply these skills directly to your daily responsibilities by:
- Streamlining repetitive or time-consuming tasks
- Improving communication and handoffs between teams
- Reducing errors and rework
- Making processes clearer and easier to follow
- Identifying small improvements that create big impact over time
This means less frustration, smoother workflows, and more time spent on meaningful work.
Why This Matters for everyone
Whether you are early in your career or in a leadership role, process improvement skills help you work more efficiently and with less stress, understand how your work fits into the bigger system, and contribute ideas that actually get implemented. These skills also support better outcomes for teams and customers, build confidence in solving problems rather than just reporting them, and help you feel empowered to identify issues and take an active role in improving the way work gets done.
Cohort Experience
This is a collaborative learning experience where you will work with peers across departments, learn through real workplace examples, and practice applying tools to actual processes. Throughout the program, you will also receive ongoing guidance and feedback to support your learning and help you apply concepts effectively in real-world situations.
Ready to Join An upcoming Cohort?
Next Cohort Expected: Fall 2026
Dates: Sept 18, Oct 2, Oct 16, Oct, 30, Nov 6, Nov 18
Times: 9am-1pm
Must be a UW employee to qualify
facilitators
Justin Deese, MBA
Justin T. Deese is Vice Chair for Finance and Administration in the University of Washington Department of Radiology and a seasoned leader in academic medicine operations. With more than a decade of experience, he works at the intersection of strategy, finance, and organizational performance—building high‑functioning teams, guiding change initiatives, and strengthening systems that promote accountability and excellence.
In addition to his executive leadership role, Justin co‑facilitates UW Radiology’s Administrative Innovation Academy, where he helps develop staff capabilities in Lean Six Sigma and practical process improvement—empowering teams to streamline workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and create meaningful impact in daily work. His background includes internal consulting across UW Medicine, implementation of process improvement frameworks, and engagement with community and global nonprofit initiatives.
Justin is motivated by advancing the health and well‑being of patients, communities, and the teams who serve them. He brings a collaborative leadership style, a data‑driven mindset, and a strong commitment to developing people and programs that deliver sustained organizational impact.
Sara Nixon, MBA
Sara Nixon is the Associate Director of Finance in the University of Washington Department of Radiology and an experienced leader in healthcare operations and organizational performance. With more than 15 years of experience across academic medicine, ambulatory operations, and healthcare consulting, she works at the intersection of financial stewardship, operational strategy, and continuous improvement—strengthening systems, guiding teams through change, and supporting the clinical, research, and educational missions of large academic enterprises.
In addition to her leadership role, Sara brings deep expertise in lean process improvement, applying A3 thinking, root cause analysis, and data‑driven decision‑making to streamline workflows, enhance team effectiveness, and build operational reliability. Her background spans internal consulting, clinic and practice management, and enterprise‑level financial planning—consistently helping organizations reduce inefficiencies, improve performance, and create sustainable operational impact.
Sara is motivated by improving the experience of patients, providers, and staff. She brings a collaborative leadership style, a systems‑oriented mindset, and a strong commitment to developing people, processes, and programs that advance organizational excellence.