Systems that work
Desert Operations Consulting, is committed to delivering affordable, practical, and high-quality healthcare consulting services tailored to the needs of small to mid-size healthcare organizations. I believe expert operational support should not be limited to large corporations with massive budgets. Our mission is to help healthcare providers improve efficiency, compliance, patient care, and organizational performance through customized solutions, transparent pricing, and hands-on partnership that drives sustainable success.
Founder & Principal Consultant
Don McDonald MBA,NHA
I am a healthcare operations executive with several decades of hands-on experience running skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, mental health clinics and CCRCs. I understand the realities operators face — staffing shortages, documentation pressure, financial strain, broken cultures and the constant demand for quality care — because I've lived them every day.
Throughout my career as a healthcare operations executive across Colorado, Arizona and Kansas, I have led facilities through some of their most challenging chapters — and come out stronger on the other side. What sets my approach apart is a commitment to evidence-based strategy: I don't rely on guesswork or generic playbooks. Every decision I make is grounded in data, benchmarked against measurable outcomes, and built on a clear-eyed understanding of what actually drives performance at the bedside and on the balance sheet.
The results speak for themselves. I have converted operations from six-figure monthly losses to consistent profitability — often within 60 to 90 days — by identifying the right operational levers and moving with urgency. I've guided communities from 2-star to 5-star CMS ratings, achieved zero-deficiency state surveys when the average facility carries 22 tags, and built workforce strategies that dramatically reduced costly agency dependence. Across every setting — post-acute rehab, long-term care, CCRC, memory care, mental health clinics and ambulatory surgery centers — I've led with a quality-first mindset that also makes sound financial sense.
I've navigated facility acquisitions, pandemic-era operations, regulatory scrutiny, and broken cultures — and I know that no two communities face exactly the same challenges. That's why I take the time to understand your specific situation before recommending a path forward. My consulting approach is simple: practical, real-world solutions that make daily operations smoother, stronger, and more predictable. I know what breaks in your systems because I've fixed it in mine.
My consulting work is built on the same principles that shaped my operational career: honest assessment, measurable goals, and accountability to results. If you're an operator looking to stabilize a struggling facility, improve your star ratings, build a stronger team, or simply work through a challenge with someone who has been in your shoes — I'd welcome the conversation.
Clear workflows that actually stick
Financial processes built for your reality
Staff who understand what they're doing
Numbers that matter
Twenty-plus organizations across the country have rebuilt their operations with us. From thirty-bed assisted living homes to sprawling 160-bed campuses, the work stays the same: stronger workflows, clearer finances, better care.
Years in operations
As Executive Director and Senior Executive Director
Organizations transformed
Across assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing
Documentation time reduced
Average improvement across client facilities
From the field to helping others
2010
I started as an operations manager at an assisted living community in the Midwest. No corporate safety net, no large support team — just the daily responsibility of making sure residents were cared for, staff were supported, and the doors stayed open. That experience grounded me in something I've never forgotten: the decisions that matter most in senior living happen at the facility level, and they have to work in the real world, not just on paper.
2013
Over the following decade, I advanced to Executive Director and then Senior Executive Director, leading operational turnarounds for some of the most recognized companies in the senior living industry. The skills I brought to each engagement weren't learned in a classroom — they were forged through real problems that demanded real solutions. I also dedicated significant time to shaping the next generation of leaders through Administrator-in-Training programs, a commitment that reflects how seriously I take the future of this industry.
2024
I launched Desert Operations Consulting with a clear purpose: to give small and mid-size senior living operators access to the same caliber of expertise that large corporate organizations take for granted — without the price tag that puts it out of reach. I built this practice around a simple observation I've carried throughout my career: the operators who need expert guidance the most are often the ones least able to afford it. Too many good operators are making critical decisions without the right support. Desert Operations Consulting exists to close that gap — bringing decades of real-world operational experience directly to the organizations that need it most, at a price point that makes sense for their business.
Real results
What operators say
Questions
Common questions about how we work and what to expect
It depends on your facility size and complexity. Most engagements run three to six months. We move at your pace and don't disrupt daily operations. You'll see early wins within the first month.
Yes. I started in a thirty-bed community and understand the constraints of smaller operations. Budget and staffing limitations don't scare me. They're what I solve for.
Resistance is normal. That's why training and clear communication matter. We build systems people actually want to use because they make the work easier. Staff buy-in comes when they see the difference.
That's core to what we do. Documentation pressure is real. We design systems that meet regulatory requirements without drowning your team. Compliance becomes a byproduct of good operations, not a separate burden.
We don't just hand off and disappear. Our team stays available for questions and adjustments. Systems need maintenance. We're here to make sure yours keeps working long term.
Ready to talk?
Let's discuss what your facility needs