Katherine Barber

I am a Clinical Educator and healthcare operations leader with extensive experience in hospice and palliative care, physician practice management, and perinatal services. Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for developing strong clinical teams, improving operational performance, and leading large-scale initiatives that strengthen quality, compliance, and patient outcomes. My background as a former United States Air Force instructor continues to shape my approach to leadership, education, and service.

In my current role as Regional Clinical Educator for Agape Care Group, I provide education, training, and clinical support across Louisiana and Mississippi. I design and update curricula, lead new-hire and leadership education, mentor preceptors, conduct skills assessments, and partner across departments to enhance workforce readiness and clinical standards. I’m passionate about empowering clinicians to succeed and feel confident in their roles.

Previously, I served as the Area Executive of Clinical Operations at Compassus, where I directed multi-site hospice operations, led clinical leaders, supported financial and resource management, and strengthened quality and regulatory performance. Before that, I served as Administrator and Executive Director at Heart of Hospice, overseeing all clinical, operational, financial, and compliance functions while supporting interdisciplinary teams and quality improvement initiatives.

My career also includes experience in ambulatory and acute care leadership. As Director of the St. Francis Medical Group, I led operations for 13 clinics and 27 providers, driving process improvement, staffing strategies, physician relations, and system-wide initiatives. I also led the health system’s COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force, designing a high-volume program that successfully achieved zero dose wastage and ensured accurate data reporting.

I have a strong foundation in perinatal care as well, having served as a Level III Labor & Delivery nurse and later as department leader for OB, L&D, and Nursery services. I am proud to have overseen policy development, quality initiatives, and operational redesign that contributed to achieving GIFT Designation and improving maternal-child outcomes.

Before beginning my career in healthcare, I served in the United States Air Force as an Aircrew Life Support Instructor. This experience strengthened my instructional skills, attention to detail, and commitment to mission readiness—qualities that continue to guide my leadership today.

I hold multiple clinical and leadership certifications and actively participate in professional organizations including AWHONN, ACHE, the Louisiana–Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative. I also dedicate time to volunteer work with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, March of Dimes, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pilots for Patients.

My driving purpose is to support caregivers, uplift teams, and improve the quality of care delivered to patients and families. I’m committed to advancing healthcare through education, collaboration, and compassionate leadership.

a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; }

I am an experienced Clinical Educator and healthcare operations leader with a background that spans hospice and palliative care, perinatal services, physician practice management, and health‑system operations. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building strong clinical teams, improving care delivery, supporting regulatory excellence, and leading organizations through meaningful educational and operational change.

In my current role as a Regional Clinical Educator for Agape Care Group, I design and deliver clinical education, guide competency development, lead orientation and leadership training, mentor preceptors, and collaborate across departments to strengthen workforce readiness and clinical quality. I am passionate about supporting clinicians and helping them grow in both skill and confidence.

Before this, I served as the Area Executive of Clinical Operations at Compassus and as Administrator/Executive Director at Heart of Hospice, where I oversaw multi‑site operations, interdisciplinary team performance, budgeting, staffing, vendor relations, documentation accuracy, and regulatory compliance. These roles allowed me to strengthen quality outcomes while supporting both leaders and frontline staff.

My experience also includes operational leadership in acute and ambulatory settings. As Director of the St. Francis Medical Group, I managed operations for 13 clinics and 27 providers, driving process improvement, staff development, and strategic initiatives. I also led the system’s COVID‑19 Vaccination Task Force, creating a high‑efficiency vaccination program that maintained perfect dose accuracy and streamlined reporting.

Earlier in my career, I served in maternal‑child leadership roles, including OB/Nursery Supervisor and Director of L&D/OB/Nursery. I updated policies, improved departmental performance, and supported initiatives that contributed to achieving GIFT Designation. My foundation as a Level III Labor & Delivery RN gave me firsthand clinical insight that continues to inform my leadership.

Before entering nursing, I served in the United States Air Force as an Aircrew Life Support Instructor, where I taught survival skills, maintained mission‑critical equipment, and contributed to innovations recognized at the Pentagon. This experience instilled the discipline, attention to detail, and instructional approach that continue to guide my work.

Across all of my roles, I’ve been committed to developing people, elevating quality, and improving the experiences of both patients and those who care for them.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Kitty Degree School of Nursing. My nursing education provided a strong clinical foundation that has supported my work across acute care, maternal‑child health, hospice and palliative care, and healthcare operations. Throughout my career, I’ve continued to build on this foundation through advanced clinical certifications, leadership development programs, and specialized training that enhances both my clinical practice and my effectiveness as an educator and leader.