Role-Based Practice Solutions is a health care consulting firm dedicated to transforming the practice culture. Started in 1990 through the vision and passion of Dr. Maria W. O’Rourke, the company has been dedicated to improving the standard of care and patient outcomes by investing in the development of the professional role. Through the use of evidence-based models and tools, we partner with organizations to produce a role competent workforce capable of leading the way to safe and effective healthcare.
Leadership Team
Dr. Maria W. O'Rourke: President & CEO
Dr. O’Rourke is a nationally known expert on the use of the professional role within an interdisciplinary team with special expertise in the use of the role of the registered nurse. Shewas instrumental in rewriting the California Nursing Practice Act in 1974, and published the first paper on its implementation, which served to guide the profession in the appropriate use of the professional RN. Through out her career she has provided service and education with quality learning programs, which send a clear and consistent message about the professional RN role and the expectations for the performance. Her “Back to Basics” approach about role based accountability paints a clear picture of the pivotal decision making role the professional role plays in the delivery of quality patient care, and sets the stage for building strong role relationships within the clinical team.
She received her BS in Nursing from Boston University, and her MS and Doctor of Nursing Science from the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. O’Rourke was selected in 1977 as an NLN Robert Wood Johnson Fellow in Public Policy, elected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 1985, awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Boston University School of Nursing in 1986, and certified as a healthcare consultant by American Association of Healthcare Consultants in 2000. Through her dedication and extensive work, she has garnered several nominations for prestigious honors, such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality, and the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) Best Practice in Clinical Practice Award. She has held a variety of roles in service and education including Clinical Nurse Specialist, Director of Staff Development and Research, UCSF Faculty, UCSF Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs at SFGH and Vice President of Patient Care Services.
Patricia Cornett: Program Development and Evaluation Consultant
Dr. Patricia Cornett joins Maria O’Rourke, Inc., with more than 38 years of diverse healthcare experience, including clinical resource management, clinical process redesign, organizational and staff development, recruitment/retention and new graduate nurse on boarding. She earned her EdD from Rutgers University, a B.S. in nursing from University of Colorado and an M.S. in nursing from Texas Woman’s University as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Pat’s professional background includes staff and management positions in a variety of settings, including multi-hospital health care systems, hospitals, state Medicaid, trade organizations, public health and higher education arenas. She is renowned for astute analysis of and designing solutions for organizational processes, consistent ROI and leadership through empowerment in the workplace.
Dr. Cornett’s area of research interest is organizational capacity building. For the past seven years, she has been co-investigator of “The Acute Care Nursing Unit—a Healthy Workplace,” which establishes a framework for healthy workplaces through a comprehensive organizational strategy and intervention that guides patient care staff to create a desirable work environment to Magnet standards. Outcomes have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Her role in the company will build on this research and extend our program evaluation capacity as we continue to show the link between professional role decision making and the prevention of adverse effects, and contribute to new program development and curriculum enhancement/redesign in relation to our work in both service and academia.
David A. Moore: Director, Business Development & Marketing
David Moore joined Maria W. O’Rourke, Inc as the Director of Business Development and Operations in 2006. His key focus is to develop strategic alliances and partnerships with individuals and organizations whose interests and values are compatible with our company’s mission. Dave’s organizational and management skills serve him well as he directs the company’s operations in an effective and efficient manner. He also manages current contracts and licenses for clients’ who use the Company’s education, consulting services and online software.
Dave received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Davis emphasizing in Medical Microbiology. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident, when upon graduation, he moved to Lake Tahoe, CA. to manage a wakeboarding and waterskiing business. Before joining Maria W. O’Rourke, Inc., Dave worked at Genentech, Inc in South San Francisco, Ca, in the Clinical Operations Group of the Medical Affairs Department where he helped implement and coordinate the Rituxan Immunology Investigator-Sponsored Trial Program (Grant Program). After six great years with Genentech, he moved to concentrate on completing his MBA focusing on Entrepreneurial Management. Since his completion of the program in 2007, he and a business partner successfully raised funds to invest in a private placement offered by a solar development company. Dave lives in San Francisco with his wife and daughter.
Kelley S. O’Rourke: Director, Client Services & Program Development
Kelley S. O’Rourke is the Director of Client Services & Program Development at Maria W. O’Rourke, Inc. Her key focus is to oversee and coordinate the company’s client service strategy. Kelley has strong interpersonal and project management skills that serve her well as she interacts with clients to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate program implementation. Her extensive experience and ability to effectively work with teams with diverse backgrounds is key to her positive working relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams. Kelley’s ability see the big picture combined with her detail-oriented work style create the backdrop for her attention to time management, follow-through, integrity, and reliability.
Kelley received a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor’s of Science in Hydrological Sciences from the University of California, Davis. Before joining Maria W. O’Rourke, Inc., Kelley worked in California’s environmental consulting industry with special interest in water quality, pollution prevention, environmental education, community outreach, and California water policy. She is interested in the connection between public health and water quality.
