Shepherd Center Welcomes New Director of Quality and Outcomes Management

Mariana Volpini Gattegno

Shepherd Center announced that Mariana Volpini Gattegno, MPH, CPHQ, CLSSBB, has joined the organization as director of quality and outcomes management. In her new role, Gattegno will oversee process improvement initiatives throughout the hospital and serve as Shepherd’s patient safety officer. She will also lead efforts to ensure conformance with The Joint Commission and CARF accreditation standards.

“We’re thrilled to have Mariana join the Shepherd team,” said Shari McDowell, PT, DPT, FASIA, FACHE, chief operating officer of Shepherd Center. “Her expertise and experience will further enhance the Quality department, supporting our mission to create extraordinary outcomes for our patients.”

Gattegno comes to Shepherd Center from Wellstar Cobb Medical Center, where she served as the assistant vice president of quality and safety, providing oversight for all quality and safety operations for the 418-bed acute care hospital. Before serving at Wellstar Cobb, Gattegno held various quality, safety, and performance improvement leadership roles at Wellstar Health System and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. Gattegno earned her master’s in public health with a concentration in epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. She is a certified black belt in quality process improvement and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).

“For as long as I have lived and worked in Atlanta, I have admired Shepherd Center’s reputation for compassionate, patient-centered care,” Gattegno said. “When the opportunity arose to join this organization, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. The hospital’s dedication to improving patients’ quality of life, supporting families, and fostering an exceptional work environment strongly aligns with my values. I am truly excited to contribute to Shepherd Center’s mission and make a meaningful impact in our community.”