Leadership
Performance Improvement at Harbor-UCLA
At Harbor-UCLA, we have a long tradition of commitment to providing the highest quality of care for the insured as well as the underserved.
Like many healthcare organizations across the country, we are navigating complex challenges—but also incredible opportunities. As we strive to deliver exceptional care to a diverse and growing patient population, the demand for timely access, better outcomes, and more efficient and effective use of resources has never been higher. We know that doing more with less isn’t just a financial imperative—it’s an ethical one, especially in a public safety net hospital setting, where every decision, action, and improvement impact lives.
That’s why we’ve embraced kaizen—a philosophy rooted in respect, equity, and continuous improvement. Rather than relying solely on top-down strategies or occasional large-scale projects, we’re building a culture where every team member is empowered to make meaningful change, every day.
In 2015, Harbor-UCLA adopted the Toyota Production System—known in healthcare as Lean—as our guiding approach to performance improvement. Lean helps us deeply understand our work, identify barriers, and improve care at the point where it matters most: with patients, at the front lines. Our approach focuses on engaging those closest to the work, aligning efforts across departments, and accelerating improvements that are sustainable, measurable, and aligned with our mission.
At the heart of our Lean journey are values we live every day:
- Patients First in everything we do
- Respect for people—their time, their ideas, and their lived experiences
- Teamwork, trust, and shared ownership of outcomes
- A relentless commitment to continuous improvement, no matter how small the step
We believe everyone at Harbor-UCLA is a problem solver. By working together—across roles, disciplines, and departments—we are transforming challenges into opportunities to better serve our patients, our community, and each other.
Thank you for visiting this site. We invite you to learn more about how our Lean journey supports our mission to put patients first and provide exceptional, compassionate care—regardless of ability to pay.
Warm regards,
Denise Ranada, MSN, RN
Chief Kaizen (Improvement) Promotion Officer
To learn more about Harbor-UCLA’s Lean Program, please visit (staff only): Lean Education – Home
Harbor-UCLA’s True North (Link: Harbor True North Metrics – Home)
How Our Work Aligns to True North
Why This, Why Now?
To learn more about True North, please go to Harbor Intranet homepage – Harbor True North Metrics – Home.
Saving Sight | The Toyota Effect
Oscar-nominated director Kief Davidson visits the busy eye clinic at Harbor-UCLA hospital, where patients were going blind waiting for medical services. He takes a look at the results of the hospital’s partnership with Toyota, quite literally through the failing eyes of Liseth, a diabetic patient hoping for a positive outcome.
