Dominique Square McCray
Dominique Square McCray is a dynamic healthcare operations leader serving as Operations Manager for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Since beginning her healthcare career with UAB in 2019 as a Call Center Representative, Dominique has demonstrated a remarkable ability to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges, and lead transformational change. Her dedication, initiative, and commitment to excellence propelled her through a series of increasingly responsible leadership roles, including Administrative Associate, Administrative Supervisor, Clinical Program Manager, and ultimately Operations Manager. Throughout her career, she has consistently focused on creating structure, improving efficiency, and enhancing the support systems that enable both providers and staff to succeed.
As Administrative Supervisor, Dominique established the first UAB Medicine call center funded by Children's of Alabama, creating a highly successful model that has since influenced other departments across the organization. Her leadership continued to expand as Clinical Program Manager, where she oversaw operations supporting both pediatric and adult orthopaedic surgery programs. She led a comprehensive reorganization of administrative services to ensure faculty received consistent, equitable support across all divisions, breaking down silos and aligning workflows with department-wide goals. Dominique also successfully managed her first million-dollar capital project, overseeing renovations for three major department locations, including the pediatric division, main administrative office, and spine and trauma office. Her expertise in operational strategy, process improvement, team development, and organizational alignment has been instrumental in supporting the department's continued growth and success.
Today, Dominique provides leadership and oversight for the department's call center, administrative teams, education division, and operational initiatives. She serves as the department's Wellness Champion, Mental Health Advocate, and HR and Finance Liaison, while also leading the education support structure she helped create for residency and fellowship programs. Known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic mindset, and unwavering commitment to service, Dominique is passionate about developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. Guided by faith and purpose, she remains dedicated to advancing healthcare operations, supporting faculty and staff, and creating meaningful impact throughout academic medicine.
• Managing Projects with Microsoft 365
• Confidence-Building Strategies for Work and Life
• Lead with Positive Power
• Twilio Essentials Unit 1: Introducing Twilio and Programmable Messaging
• University of Phoenix - BS, Health/Health Care Administration/Management
• UAB Strategic Mentoring Circle
• DADS Program (first cohort graduate)
• DEAL - Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders (second cohort graduate)
• Momentum Works (mentee)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the determination to want more. I notice the things that people consider small, and I don't allow my growth to change my identity. I really pay attention to the small things and I'm very passionate about everything that I do. Sometimes people say, oh, you know, it ain't that deep, and it's really not, but I like to focus on the details. It's the small things - people might say, oh, she gave me a card, but a handwritten card can go a long way. I really am passionate about the things that I do, and I don't want anyone from the executive to the janitor to feel like they are not seen and they're not valued. My boss said I can put an event together, start to finish, and it is seamlessly done, I don't ever go over the budget, and I do it and it looks like it's not stressful. I really do thrive in chaos - I've learned to manage and thrive in the chaos. I pride myself in making sure that we're compliant, making sure that we are constantly in communication and communicate early to be proactive instead of reactive.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I have received is to seek out mentors and never stop learning. Throughout my healthcare career, I have been fortunate to learn from several professional mentors who have provided guidance, encouragement, and valuable leadership insights. I am currently participating in a formal leadership mentorship program, which continues to strengthen my professional development and broaden my perspective as a leader. These experiences have taught me that growth happens when you remain open to learning, seek feedback, and build relationships with people who challenge and inspire you to reach your full potential.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare industry is to never stop striving to break the glass ceiling and always advocate for yourself. There have been many times throughout my career when I was the minority, both as a woman and as a woman of color, and those situations can be challenging. However, I have learned that confidence, perseverance, and believing in your abilities are essential to overcoming obstacles. Do not be afraid to speak up, pursue leadership opportunities, and make your contributions known. Your voice, perspective, and talents are valuable, and by remaining determined and advocating for yourself, you can create opportunities not only for your own success but also for those who will follow in your footsteps.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe healthcare leaders today face challenges related to staffing, operational efficiency, workforce development, and balancing patient needs with organizational priorities. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities for innovation, leadership development, and improving healthcare delivery. My healthcare career began in 2019 as a call center representative, and through dedication, perseverance, and continuous learning, I advanced to my current role as Operations Manager for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I oversee administrative operations, patient access, physician and faculty support, and clinical services while helping drive organizational success. One of my proudest accomplishments was leading a million-dollar renovation project across three orthopedic surgery locations, which strengthened my expertise in project management and operational leadership. As a mother of four and an aspiring master's degree student, I remain committed to professional growth, mentorship, and empowering other women to pursue leadership opportunities with confidence. I am honored to be recognized through the Influential Women program and hope my journey inspires others to achieve their goals through hard work, resilience, and determination.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are making sure everyone feels seen and valued, from the executive to the janitor. I'm very passionate about everything I do and I pay attention to the small things. I don't allow my growth to change my identity - staying true to who I am is important. In my personal life, family is central - I'm a wife, married since 2015, and a mother of four. I'm a sports mom and I balance everything with a lot of prayer and a lot of coffee. I also believe in being motivation for my kids and for my nieces and nephews, showing them that there's always gonna be something, so we just kind of learn to manage and grow through the things that we go through.