Laboratory operation manager Nina Hill was recently presented a leadership award from Olympic Medical Center leaders on Oct. 20.

Hill recently spearheaded negotiations that resulted in improved COVID-19 send-out testing performance for OMC, the organization said.

According to Dr. Scott Kennedy, Olympic Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Hill’s energetic work on OMC’s send-out test capabilities ensured reliable service that better coordinates the supplies, transportation of tests and the processes required for this important activity. It also reduced related expenses by more than $1,000 a day.

Hill’s negotiation led to patients presenting with COVID-like illness or exposure to COVID-19 infections receiving results faster, OMC representatives said. Her work also achieved quicker turnaround times for patients needing testing before proceeding with certain medical procedures.

Hill joined Olympic Medical Center in 2019 and leads multiple teams in the lab department as a laboratory operations manager.

“COVID results are now consistently returning in 24 to 48 hours,” said Dr. Kennedy. “COVID testing is a critical element for ensuring a safe care environment at OMC.

“Our laboratory staff, under Nina’s operational leadership, has done a remarkable job of keeping ahead of the rapidly changing needs for testing during this pandemic.”