Executive Fellowship in Patient Safety

11-month fellowship to start annually the end of June

Based on the 1999 Institute of Medicine’s report, To Err is Human, patient safety has become imperative for healthcare organization. New technologies and growing global economy have created a need for patient safety officers to take a leadership role in healthcare organizations, communicating with physicians, staff, risk management, administration, CEO’s, CFO’s, CIO’s and COO’s. Many patient safety officers have to understand a wide variety of cultures and management styles, while implementing patient safety objectives. For success, it takes new perspectives, fresh insight, and innovative structures.

The Williamson Institute for Healthcare Leadership Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University was one of the first universities to develop a comprehensive distance learning postgraduate fellowship program on patient safety. The faculty of the program consists of national and international experts from academia, provider organizations, professional organizations, and vendor corporations. The fellowship is designed for executives, mangers, and clinicians. The curriculum is focused on relevant theoretical concepts, research, and proven practical solutions to prevent harmful errors in health care facilities. Since 2001, this distance-learning program designed for full time professionals has received national and international recognition and has graduated over 200 fellows in the first 5 years.

According to Alumni/ae testimonials, this program has far exceeded in its goals to combine theory with tools and methodology to enable organizations to improve patient safety. Fellows come into this program with a variety of credentials and expertise. They include Patient Safety Officers, Quality and Risk Managers, Executives, Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Researchers, and Academic Professors. Many hospitals have optimized the results of this program by sending teams of 3 or 4. The team approach solidifies a common language and foundational knowledge on which organizations can continue to effectively build and expand Patient Safety productivity as the Fellowship Program progresses.

More information

Please contact us at kswisher@vcu.edu

Application

2008 - 2009 application form

Curriculum

2007 - 2008 curriculum

2008 - 2009 curriculum

News and updates

Cardwell Comments Summer 2007 pages 18-22

Cardwell Comments Winter 2006 - 2007 pages 17-19

Cardwell Comments Summer 2006 page 19