Helayne OKeiff earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Women’s University and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration (a joint program between the graduate schools of nursing and business) from Saint Louis University. In her role at Dell Medical School, OKeiff is a Research Associate with the Outcomes in Pediatric Neurosciences (OPeN) research support team in the pediatric neurosciences program within the Department of Neurology. OKeiff engages in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery research studies and coordinates clinical trials.
OKeiff has 25+ years of healthcare experience combining clinical work as an RN, operations leadership up to the COO level, business development, and consulting on a national basis in operational and financial performance improvement. OKeiff has worked for such companies as; IBM Healthcare Division for ten years, KPMG Healthcare Division and Navigant. Her customers have included Ascension Healthcare, The University of Texas Health System, and Texas Children’s Hospital. She has recent Board of Directors experience as the voluntary Board President for Fortis Therapy Center. This non-profit organization in southwest Austin provides Pediatric Project Walk-locomotor, intensive physical therapy program for children with neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy. The program is gaining recognition as helping children with Cerebral Palsy become more independent and is offered free of charge due to grants and fundraising that OKeiff leads.
OKeiff’s research interests include data analytics in pediatric neurosciences to provide evidence-based information for clinicians to advance care. Other interests include neurorehabilitation, clinical trials for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and research studies in such areas as Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy and Muscular Dystrophy.