With nearly four and a half decades in the health care industry, Lynne Class has built a distinguished career in health care and administration. Since 2022, she has served as vice president of clinical operations at UAB Medicine, overseeing perioperative services, the heart and vascular center, the trauma burn program, and inpatient wound care, managing a workforce of approximately 1,500 employees. Her responsibilities include coordination, collaboration, addressing quality and safety issues, staffing, recruitment, and supply chain management. Additionally, she contributes as a member of UAB Medicine’s product technology committee.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Class served as associate vice president of perioperative services at UAB Medicine from 2015 to 2022. During this time, she played a pivotal role in advancing surgical robotics programs and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her initiatives included hiring specialized educators for critical care areas and developing an intensive training program to equip nurses with critical care expertise, ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care during a critical time.
From 2013 to 2015, Ms. Class held dual roles as director of surgical services at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital & Clinics and director at St. Vincent’s Surgery Center. Her leadership in these positions supported the expansion of educational opportunities for medical professionals and advocacy for increased financial support for technical training programs. Earlier in her career, she served as director of operations and education at Integrated Medical Systems Inc. from 2009 to 2013 and as a consultant with Navigant Consulting Inc. from 2007 to 2009.
Ms. Class’ academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of North Alabama in 1980 and a master’s degree in health and health care administration and management from the University of Phoenix in 2007. She also holds a certified nurse operating room certification. To stay abreast of advancements in the field, she is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, the Alabama Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Association.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Class has been instrumental in advancing surgical robotics programs, increasing surgical volumes, and addressing critical workforce challenges. She established a robotic surgery program in Birmingham and developed intensive training programs to prepare nurses for critical care roles. Her advocacy for expanding educational opportunities, including financial support for technical training, has resulted in the successful graduation of surgical tech cohorts at UAB. In light of her impressive undertakings, she received the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award in 2020 and the Excellence in Leadership Award in 2014. She attributes her success to maintaining close connections with frontline leadership and staff, understanding their challenges, and streamlining processes to address obstacles effectively.
Looking ahead, Ms. Class plans to offer consultancy and mentorship services following her retirement from UAB Medicine. In her personal life, she is a devoted mother to six adopted children and enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with friends and grandchildren, and traveling. Actively involved in her community, she volunteers through her church, serving nursing homes and food pantries, and teaching parenting, fostering, and adoption classes.