Nate Hurle Summit Scholarship

An annual scholarship established in 2022 to honor Nate Hurle, Senior Director of Enterprise Continuous Improvement at Cleveland Clinic, who passed away unexpectedly in summer 2021. The scholarship recognizes impactful continuous improvement leaders in the lean healthcare community who exemplify similar qualities.

Geographic Scope: Lean healthcare community (national/international)

Focus Areas:

• Continuous improvement and lean healthcare transformation
• Leadership development in healthcare settings

Key Characteristics Sought:

• Tenacity - commitment to improvement and perseverance
• Respect for people - particularly those at front lines
• Willingness to share - knowledge and experiences (successes and failures)
• Focus on what matters most - keeping patient and people-centered approach
• Impact in their organization and the lean healthcare community

Eligibility:
Open to continuous improvement leaders in the lean healthcare community

Recent Recipients:

• 2025: Alli Kulp, Senior Advisor - Lean Promotion Office, OhioHealth
• 2024: Elizabeth Howe, Director of Performance Excellence at Duke Health
• 2023: Anne Musitano, Operational Excellence Administrative Director at Akron Children's Hospital
• 2022: Bryce Johnson, Operational Innovation Specialist at Nebraska Methodist Health System

Contact Information:
Catalysis Inc.

Application Process

Status: Nominations are closed for 2026. Finalists will be announced soon.

Nomination Requirements:
The nomination process requests information on how the candidate exemplifies the qualities of:

• Tenacity
• Respect for people
• Willingness to share
• Keeping the focus on what matters most
• Impact made in their organization and the lean healthcare community

Application Materials: Contact Catalysis for current nomination guidelines and submission details.