MITSS ANNOUNCES THE FIRST ANNUAL H.O.P.E. AWARD
Honoring Outstanding People Everywhere.
2008 MITSS HOPE AWARD
SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Selection Committee for the 2008 MITSS HOPE Award is a talented and diverse group. The Committee is made up of a physician and representative from the western part of Massachusetts; a representative from Quantros (the sponsor of the Award); a former patient representative/chair of the MITSS Community Outreach Committee; a former patient and member of the MITSS Board of Directors; and, a nurse/director of diversity and Co-Chair of the Community Outreach Committee.
Eric Alper, MD has been on staff at UMass Memorial Health Care since 1996. At that time, he became the first Hospitalist at UMMHC. He helped to create the Hospitalist programs at both the University and Memorial campuses and continues to care for patients on the adult medical service on both campuses. From 1997 to 2007, he directed the Internal Medicine clerkship, a required 3 month experience for all medical students in their 3rd year. He served as a member of the Council of CDIM, the organization that teaches Internal medicine to medical students, for 3 years, and as its Treasurer for two.
Dr. Alper was Physician Patient Safety Officer for UMass Memorial Medical Center from 2003 to 2006. His and others’ work to improve medication reconciliation resulted in UMass Memorial receiving the 2005 Betsy Lehman Patient Safety Award. He is now spending most of his time as Deputy Editor of Order Sets at UpToDate, responsible for creating standard order sets with decision support that will reduce variability and will improve safety and quality of care.
Chris Bethell is the Vice President of Marketing for Quantros, the company which has provided sponsorship for the 2008 HOPE Award. Chris has been at Quantros since December 2004 and is responsible for marketing, public relations, and product management activities within the company. Prior to Quantros, Chris held senior positions at leading technology companies including Cadence Design Systems, Synopsys and Apple Computer. He has led sales and marketing activities at venture-backed companies such as Arcsoft, Acumation and Findlaw. Chris holds a bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco.
Beth Conlin has volunteered for the last two years with the MITSS Outreach Committee and is the former chair of the Committee. She has acted as a patient representative, having experienced a diagnosis error as a child. She is particularly interested in MITSS web services and the MITSS patient and clinician blogs, along with the special concerns of pediatric patients in adverse medical events. Professionally, Beth has worked primarily in the higher education and environmental fields, including spending the last six years coordinating energy and environmental education programs for students at MIT. Beth recently left the Committee and the Boston area for new adventures. She is continuing to volunteer for MITSS from a distance in Durham, North Carolina, while she pursues her Masters in Environmental Management at Duke University.
Jane Martin is a member of the MITSS Board of Directors, Community Outreach Committee, and Annual Dinner Planning Committee. Jane comes to MITSS with a unique perspective on patient safety as she experienced firsthand, through the loss of her unborn child, the inherent trauma associated with a medical error. She was a member of the first MITSS Support Group and her dedication and interest in this area have since become focused on advocating for changes that improve patient safety and providing support for those who have had similar experiences.
Deborah Washington, RN is Director of Diversity for Patient Care Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. In her role, Deb serves as internal consult to employees, managers, and leadership on issues of workforce development as well as determining the impact of diversity and cultural competence on clinical practice and patient care. During Deb's tenure, the diversity program at Mass. General has received recognition locally and nationally for its scope and effectiveness. Deb has received recognition for her individual leadership by the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Nursing Spectrum, and the New England Regional Black Nurses Association. She is a past fellow of the HRET Cultural Competence Fellowship and is currently a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship. She is the 2008 Dotson Scholar at Simmons College. Deb is the current Co-Chair of the MITSS Community Outreach Committee.
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For MITSS information, or for more information pertaining to the MITSS HOPE Awards, please contact:
Winifred N. Tobin
Communications Director
T. 617-232-0090
F. 617-232-7181
Email:wtobin@MITSS.org
