Sarah Spilman, Founder

Sarah Spilman is a nationally respected trauma systems consultant with more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, trauma systems, government policy, and operational strategy. She is widely recognized for helping hospitals, health systems, and EMS agencies strengthen trauma programs, improve performance, achieve verification readiness, and make data-driven decisions that improve patient care.

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Sarah’s career reflects a rare combination of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and hands-on trauma center experience. She began her career in Minnesota state government, where she led a complex multi-agency legislative reporting initiative, building an early foundation in cross-functional leadership, accountability, and large-scale project execution. She later advanced research and communications initiatives in the nonprofit sector, translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for leadership and stakeholders.

After earning her Master's degree from the University of Iowa, Sarah served as a data manager and project director for a National Institutes of Health longitudinal research, overseeing study operations, data collection, data integrity, and multi-institutional collaboration.

From 2012 to 2020, Sarah held a key leadership role at a Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Des Moines, Iowa, where she directed the trauma research program and supported critical trauma operations. In this role, she led study design, data collection, statistical analysis, manuscript development, and dissemination of findings. Just as importantly, she became deeply embedded in trauma center infrastructure, overseeing trauma registry validity and reporting operations, supporting performance improvement initiatives, contributing to PIPS processes, developing and implementing protocols, and helping lead ACS trauma verification efforts.

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In 2020 Sarah founded Diligent Consulting to help hospitals and communities strengthen access to high-quality trauma care. Since then, she has partnered with 30+ hospitals, trauma centers, and EMS agencies nationwide, helping hospitals assess trauma readiness, develop new trauma programs, solve operational and financial challenges, and navigate complex verification and designation processes. Her expertise is also trusted by leading national consulting firms, including Bishop + Associates and Peregrine Consulting, who have engaged her as a subcontracted partner on high-impact trauma initiatives.

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Known for her diligence, credibility, and ability to lead through complexity, Sarah is especially valued for aligning diverse stakeholders, driving and managing projects, and translating complex clinical and operational data into clear recommendations that support executive decision-making and allow hospitals to optimize their trauma program operations.

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Sarah’s credentials further reinforce her expertise and authority. She holds advanced training in healthcare management from Vanderbilt University and research methodology from University of Iowa. She has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed academic publications, contributed to over 40 regional and national presentations, mentored dozens of residents and medical students, and collaborated with more than 100 clinical and academic research partners. She also brings more than a decade of nonprofit board governance experience and remains actively engaged in community leadership.

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Hospitals and healthcare leaders trust Sarah because she brings both executive-level strategic insight and deep operational trauma expertise, helping organizations navigate complexity with confidence, clarity, and measurable results.

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See the Curriculum Vitae for more of Sarah’s accomplishments.