celebrating massachusetts' top professionals in promoting

Celebrating Massachusetts’ top professionals in promoting safety, qualityand risk management in health care

Rx for Excellence Awards Ceremony and BreakfastFriday, November 4, 2011

Boston Marriott Copley Place

7:30 - 9:30 AM

Page Rx2 / MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL LAW REPORT NOVEMBER 2011 / MMLR

List of Honorees

David Blumenthal, MD Jeffrey L. Ecker, MDAmong the Honorees of the 2011 Rx for Excellence Medical Awards

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE

massgeneral.org | 617-726-2000

Mitchell Adams ...................................................................................Rx10Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH.......................................................................Rx3Sylvia Bartel, RPh, MPH .......................................................................Rx10David Blumenthal, MD ........................................................................Rx10Richard W. Brewer ...............................................................................Rx10Elizabeth R. Burkhard, Esq. ....................................................................Rx3Daniel E. Clapp, MD................................................................................Rx3Ellen Epstein Cohen, Esq.........................................................................Rx3Tammy Cole-Poklewski, RN, MS.............................................................Rx18Francois de Brantes, MS, MBA ...............................................................Rx10Richard Mayo Dupee, MD, AGSF, FACP.......................................................Rx4Jeff L. Ecker, MD ..................................................................................Rx11Patricia Folcarelli, RN, PhD .....................................................................Rx4Jean Gillis, RN, MS .................................................................................Rx5James Glauber, MD ..............................................................................Rx12Robert J. Griffin, Esq. .............................................................................Rx6David M. Harlan, MD ............................................................................Rx12Courtland L. Harlow Jr., MD ....................................................................Rx6Kenneth A. Heisler, MD, FACS.................................................................Rx11Ann Hemenway ....................................................................................Rx3Laurie Herndon, RN, MSN, GNP-BC.........................................................Rx12Andrew L. Hyams, Esq. ..........................................................................Rx6Susan Joss ..........................................................................................Rx13Brinda R. Kamat, MD, MPH .....................................................................Rx6Madhavi Kamireddi, MD ........................................................................Rx7James F. X. Kenealy, MD........................................................................Rx13Jack King............................................................................................Rx14Gila R. Kriegel, MD ..............................................................................Rx14

Benjamin Kruskal, MD, PhD ..................................................................Rx14Joseph C. Kvedar, MD ...........................................................................Rx14Dorothy Flood McWeeney, BSN, RN..........................................................Rx8Stanley M. Levenson, DMD .....................................................................Rx7Eugene Lindsey, MD.............................................................................Rx15Juan F. Lopera .....................................................................................Rx15Joseph C. Maher, Jr., Esq. ......................................................................Rx15Kris Mastrangelo.................................................................................Rx16Jim Mingle .........................................................................................Rx12Stuart Novick, Esq................................................................................Rx16Terrence A. O’Malley, MD ......................................................................Rx16Stancel Riley, MD ................................................................................Rx16Annette Roberts, RN..............................................................................Rx8Regina S. Rockefeller, Esq. .....................................................................Rx8Grant V. Rodkey, MD ..............................................................................Rx8Dana Gelb Safran, ScD..........................................................................Rx16Christine C. Schuster, RN, MBA ..............................................................Rx17Rola M. Shaheen, MD.............................................................................Rx8Glen Shor ...........................................................................................Rx17Carol M. Smith, RN ..............................................................................Rx18C. Jason Smithers, MD............................................................................Rx9Glen E. Tullman ...................................................................................Rx12Deborah W. Wachenheim .....................................................................Rx18Representative Steven M. Walsh ...........................................................Rx18Steve R. Williams, MD ............................................................................Rx9Susan Windham-Bannister, PhD............................................................Rx18Lynda M. Young, MD ............................................................................Rx19

Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPHAssociate Professor of MedicineBoston University School of MedicineBoston Medical Center

“I took it as a personal challengeto become an expert in this area and to develop effective ways to teach others.”

Outside/Community Activities• I speak about treating patients with addiction

and the safe, effective use of opioids for treatingchronic pain at local community hospitals,neighborhood community health centers, re-covery high schools and addiction advocacyleadership trainings.

Tell us about what you do.As a clinician-educator at Boston University

School of Medicine and Boston Medical Cen-ter, I have created a primary care practice thattreats some of society’s most vulnerable pa-tients – those with addiction and those with co-morbid chronic pain and addiction. As an edu-cator, I have dedicated my teaching toward im-proving the knowledge, skills and attitudes ofgeneralist physicians on the safe and effectivetreatment of these patients locally, regionallyand nationally.

Why do you do what you do?Early on in my clinical practice, I realized

that I was ill-equipped to care for patients withaddiction and chronic pain. These topics were,and remain, inadequately covered in medicaltraining, despite being extremely common is-sues in clinical practice.

I quickly realized that I was not alone in myfeelings of inadequacy and frustration in caringfor these patients. I took it as a personal chal-lenge to become an expert in this area and todevelop effective ways to teach others. I findthis work extremely satisfying. Both the patientsthat I treat and the physicians that I train are of-ten very appreciative.

What is your proudest achievement?Over the years I have developed a reputation

as a respected clinician-educator on the safe andeffective use of opioids for treating chronic painand patients with addictions. I continue to re-ceive invitations to speak at a variety of venuesnationally, including keynote addresses and med-ical grand rounds. I feel that I am truly making adifference in physician education and ultimatelyin the clinical care of these patients.

Who is your role model and why?Initially, I tried to think of a “big name” figure,

but I quickly realized that my role model is verylocal – four doors down from my office. My rolemodel is Dr. Jeffrey Samet. He is the Chief of oursection of General Internal Medicine and wasthe person who got me interested in treatingpatients with pain and addiction in the firstplace. Jeffrey is passionate and his love of hiswork as a generalist with a focus on addictionmedicine is contagious. Moreover, he has main-tained an excellent balance between workingextremely hard and spending time outside ofwork with his family.

What do you consider the biggest challenge facing doctorsand the health care industry today?

One of the biggest challenges is having ade-quate time to spend with complex patients. Formany patients seen in primary care, 15 minutesis not long enough. With our population aging,most patients have long lists of medical prob-lems and medications. While I appreciate theneed for practices to be efficient and see large

numbers of patients, I feel that the ability tospend adequate time with complicated pa-tients is being compromised.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?In addition to continuing my clinical prac-

tice, my dream would be to have adequate timeand resources to research and address all of mypractice’s unanswered clinical questions. Theseinclude large fundamental questions. For exam-ple, what is the true efficacy and safety of main-taining a patient on chronic opioids for yearsfor chronic painful conditions?

What is one thing people don’t know about you?If my wife is reading this, I love spending the

entire day visiting art museums. Otherwise, myhobbies are photography and gardening.

Elizabeth R. Burkhard, Esq. AssociateHolland & Knight

“I enjoy doing pro bono work becauseit gives me the opportunity to helppeople that likely did not know legalhelp was availableto them.”

Tell us about what you do. I am an associate in the Intellectual Proper-

ty Practice Group, focusing on IP licensing, allaspects of trademark prosecution, patent pros-ecution and IP litigation. In addition, I am thePro Bono Associate for the Boston office ofHolland & Knight, coordinating our relation-ship with the Medical Legal Partnership andour adoption of the South End CommunityHealth Center.

Why do you do what you do?I enjoy doing pro bono work because it gives

me the opportunity to help people that likely didnot know legal help was available to them. Eventhe smallest bit of help can sometimes make atremendous change in the quality of life andhealth of a person. I enjoy coordinating our rela-tionship with MLP because it gives me the oppor-tunity to help connect many people with the le-gal representation our attorneys provide.

What is your proudest achievement?Assisting a victim of domestic violence in

pursuing legal status in the U.S. through ob-taining a U-Visa, which is a type of temporarylegal status for victims of violent crimes whoassist law enforcement in prosecuting their of-fenders.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? In helping another pro bono client who was

a victim of domestic violence, we determinedthat she was unable to continue pursuing a U-Visa because it was emotionally too difficult forher to talk about what happened to her. Thatforeclosed her legal options for staying in theU.S. We ultimately helped her legally immigrateto Canada as a refugee under the Safe ThirdCountry Agreement.

Who is your role model and why? There are many people that I admire profes-

sionally and personally, but everyone is hu-man, with different realities in their lives thathave helped to make them who they are. I tryto adopt the good qualities I see in other peo-ple in my life.


The cost of quality health care and the relatedconstraints placed on health care professionals.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I enjoy being a lawyer – I don’t think I would

change that!

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I used to play the oboe.

Awarded withAnn Hemenway Homeless Outreach AdvocateSouth End Community Health Center

“I am a people person, so I find a lot of satisfaction intrying to help our patients.”

Outside/Community Activities • Community Health Educators Center (CHEC)

Tell us about what you do.I am considered a resource finder and I help ac-

cess systems outside the health center for patients.

Why do you do what you do? I am a people person, so I find a lot of satis-

faction in trying to help our patients.

What is your proudest achievement? Raising my kids.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Budget cuts of too many programs.

Who is your role model and why? I have many people I have looked up to over

the years and whom I admire, but one who standsout in my mind would have to be Mr. Borelli, my8th grade history teacher at the Blackstone School.He always encouraged me to believe in myself.


Too much paperwork and too many health in-surance restrictions.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)? To start my own business similar to Rosie’s Place.

What is one thing people don’t know about you? I was class president in the 8th grade.

Daniel E. Clapp, MDVolunteer physician, retired

“I enjoy using my skills as a physician to help the many in my community that have needs, including the elderly, the homeless and those without health insurance.”

Outside/Community Activites• Chair, Council on Aging • Board Member, Friends of the Council on Aging • Medical Director, Senior Health Clinic • Volunteer physician at ear clinic

• Town meeting member• Deacon, Treasurer, Choir Director, Leverett

Baptist Church• Medical Director, Amherst Survival Center• Medical Director, Board Member and former

President, Pine Brook Camp • Volunteer team physician, retired professional

staff president, UMass• Member and Treasurer, MMS House of Dele-

gates, Hampshire District

Tell us about what you do. I’m a retired volunteer physician at several clin-

ics and generally on-call as needed. I helped mytown organize a free medical clinic for elders, andhelped lead the Council on Aging through difficultyears. I’ve also organized free medical care clinicsat the town Survival Center and my church.

Why do you do what you do?I enjoy using my skills as a physician to help

the many in my community that have needs, in-cluding the elderly, the homeless, those withouthealth insurance, etc. As a dedicated Christian, Ifeel that is what God has enabled me to do andexpects of me, and being retired and healthymakes it possible.

What is your proudest achievement?I served the medical and other various needs

of a very poor rural Philippine orphanage andcommunity for seven years. There, I provideddata for a medical research study that was pub-lished in the U.S., which resulted in great benefitto medical practice internationally.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Human frailties and the limitations of time.

Who is your role model and why? Jesus Christ, who loved and served others by

healing and teaching.


The intrusion by courts, politicians and theinsurance industry into the doctor-patient rela-tionship and decision-making, resulting increas-ingly in diminished access to care, and coststhat neither society nor doctors can afford.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Being a part-time health care provider in a situa-

tion where my patients would be able to obtainthe necessary, reasonable medicines and tests thatso many of them can’t afford or arrange today.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I almost went into music performance rather

than medicine.

Ellen Epstein Cohen, Esq.PartnerAdler, Cohen, Harvey, Wakeman & Guekguezian, LLP

“I love learning about the medicines involved in each of my cases, and I’m passionate about finding creative and effective ways to help each client tell their story in their own way in the litigation process.”

Outside/Community Activities• Former board member, Children’s Hospital

League • Overseer, Newton Wellesley Hospital

MMLR / NOVEMBER 2011 MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL LAW REPORT / Page Rx3

The Heroes from the Field are the unsung heroes of their professions, those who lead by example and

demonstrate the highest quality of work in their field, often without fanfare.

Continued on page Rx4


Heroes from the Field

Tell us about what you do. My practice is focused on the defense of

health care providers in all fields. We representproviders in medical malpractice claims andbefore various licensing agencies, and offerthem risk management courses.

Why do you do what you do?I love the adrenaline rush of litigation, and

have always enjoyed the close attorney-client rela-tionship that comes from representing individualhealth care providers. I love learning about themedicines involved in each of my cases, and I’mpassionate about finding creative and effectiveways to help each client tell their story in theirown way in the litigation process. I have foundthat health care providers generally are very spe-cial people – smart, dedicated, passionate andcompassionate – and I enjoy the privilege of rep-resenting them through the stress of litigation.

What is your proudest achievement?My children: Jason, 23, and Stephanie, 19, and

my stepchildren: Jessica, 20, and Lauren, 17.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? The biggest obstacle in my career has been

overcoming the loss of my very dear friend, lawpartner of many years and mentor, Sidney (Sig)Adler, who died of lung cancer three years ago.

Who is your role model and why? My dad is my role model. Although he never

went to college and always thought he wouldhave been a fine lawyer (and I agree!), he had avery sharp mind and a total commitment tohelping people of all walks of life however he

could. I have taken his approach in my person-al and professional lives.


The biggest challenge is balancing quality ofcare with the enormous pressure to make med-icine profitable (or even financially viable).

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Running a floral design shop.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I like to knit.

Richard Mayo Dupee, MD, AGSF, FACPChief of Geriatric Services Tufts Medical Center

“My passion for medicine and the challenges of diagnosis and treatment began as a youngster, and I remain passionate.”

Outside/Community Activities• Former baseball coach for Weston Little League • Member, Trinity Church, Boston

• Avid rollerblader and golfer

Tell us about what you do. I started my practice, Wellesley Medical Associ-

ates, in Wellesley in 1974. Over the last 37 years, ithas grown to cover over 8,000 lives. It is an internalmedicine practice with an emphasis on geriatrics.We have three nurse practitioners and on-site carewith multiple specialists from Tufts Medical Center.

Why do you do what you do?My passion for medicine and the challenges

of diagnosis and treatment began as a youngster,and I remain passionate. I love doing what I do.

What is your proudest achievement?Being elected Governor of the American

College of Physicians in Massachusetts, a reflec-tion of my colleagues’ trust in me.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Before I led a hospice, it was easier to remain

detached. But in caring for the dying patient, Ilearned that care was just as important as cure.

Who is your role model and why? There were two people that had tremendous in-

fluence on my life. My baseball coach, mathteacher and mentor Lou Gnerre, and John Harring-ton, who opened the door for me to become ageriatrician. But, my true role model is the womanwho inspired by passion and energy: my mom.


The greatest challenge we face is the loss ofindependent decision making by physicians,who have been usurped by insurers. Additional-ly, we face a huge lack of primary care physi-

cians. We can insure everyone, but who is goingto provide the care?

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Third baseman for the Boston Red Sox.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I read and re-read letters my patients sent to

me in my first year of practice as an inspirationfor what I do.

Patricia Folcarelli, RN, PhDDirector of Patient SafetyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

“I am honored to work every day withclinicians and support staff who come to work trying to deliver care in a way that is safe and satisfying, and who are always willing to participate in developing solutions when things don’t go as expected.”

Outside/Community Activities• Former president, PTO, Cunningham Elemen-

tary School, Pierce Middle School• Town meeting member, Milton

Continued from page Rx3

Paul Cirel and the Health Care Practice Group of Collora LLP congratulate

Ellen Epstein Cohen, Esq.

Esq. Andrew L. Hyams, Esq. Stuart Novick, Esq. Stancel Riley, MD Regina S. Rockefeller, Esq.

and all of the other recipients of the 2011 Rx for Excellence Awards

Shape Fate

White Collar Defense | Business Litigation | Employment Law | Appeals | Securities Litigation | Health Care Law | collorallp.com


Tell us about what you do. I have been a nurse for 32 years. I worked at

NYU Medical Center for 10 years and now havebeen at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centerfor 22 years. I have held several roles as a nurse,and feel blessed to have had a diversity of ex-periences due to opportunities provided byBIDMC.

I had the good fortune earlier in my careerto work on a special “collaborative care unit”where the goal was to provide expert nursingcare to a group of patients with intensive med-ical and surgical nursing needs. One of thegoals of the unit was to attempt to structure theunit operations to facilitate strong nurse-physi-cian collaboration to improve patient care. Onthat unit I really began to appreciate the influ-ence of strong communication on patient safe-ty. This experience was really the foundationfor my interest in improving patient safety. In ret-rospect that was the place where I found my“nursing voice.”

My career moved on to working as the nursingdirector in charge of “practice development.” Inthat role I was responsible for looking at how ourorientation, continuing education and practiceguidelines could be improved to achieve betterpatient outcomes, higher patient satisfaction andgreater retention of our nursing staff.

What do you do what you do?I really love what I do! I feel privileged to be

a part of the effort to improve our ability to de-liver safer patient care and reduce patientharm. I am honored to work every day withclinicians and support staff who come to worktrying to deliver care in a way that is safe and

satisfying, and who are always willing to partici-pate in developing solutions when things don’tgo as expected.

What is your proudest achievement?My children!

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? In my work life, the biggest obstacle is to help

folks see that the status quo is just not acceptableand that we can always do better. Having saidthat, the growing recognition that our current sys-tems don’t always achieve the intended goals hasmade it easier to overcome this obstacle.

Who is your role model and why? My role model is my father. He spent his ear-

ly work years as a firefighter in the South Bronxin New York City, and my early memories of himare that he always smelled of fire. He went on tobecome a safety specialist for National Fire Pro-tection Association, where he did a lot of teach-ing on fire safety and developed many stan-dards that are still in use today. He is a veryhumble, kind and thoughtful person, and is al-ways learning something new. My career inter-ests have been remarkably similar to his. I canonly hope that I can model his calm, reassuringstyle and his ability to influence an industry to-ward improved safety.


I think that the biggest challenge is the lack ofstandardization in our work. While we havemade some headway in this regard, there are stillwide variations in practice. Lacking standard

processes is a major contributor to patient harm.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I would combine hospital patient safety work

with a college of nursing teaching position sothat we could begin to incorporate safety compe-tencies in our undergraduate curriculum. Or Iwould open a restaurant and be a chef.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I am a great cook.

Jean Gillis, RN, MSClinical Nurse SpecialistBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

“I’ve learned to exercise patience, recognizing that changing practice and culture takes much time, hard work, encouragement and education of all members of the team.”

Outside/Community Activites• Saint Gerald Majella Church member • CAPT (Canton Association of Parents and

Teachers)

• Member of the Ponkapoag Civic Association

Tell us about what you do. As a clinical nurse specialist in critical care

at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, mytime is dedicated to project work. More specif-ically, I focus on the Ventilator AssociatedPneumonia (VAP) prevention initiative. I havebeen overseeing this project since 2006. Dur-ing this time, we have reduced the incidenceof VAP by over 90 percent at BIDMC.

As the dedicated CNS for this initiative, Ipromote, monitor and disseminate VAP com-pliance information and educate the healthcare team. Through implementation of bestcare practices at BIDMC, we have reducedmorbidity, mortality, length of stay and costin our ICUs.

Why do you do what you do?I do what I do because I have always val-

ued work that improves the quality of patientcare. I am passionate about nursing, best carepractices, quality care and patient outcomes.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievements with this work

are the results we have accomplished, as wellas the collaborative nature of the work. Wehave changed practice and improved quality.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?I’ve learned to exercise patience, recog-

nizing that changing practice and culturetakes much time, hard work, encouragementand education of all members of the team.


The Massachusetts Medical Society

is proud to join the

Massachusetts Law Report

in Congratulating all the

Outstanding Award Winners

honored for

best practices in medicine!

WWW.MASSMED.ORG

CongratulationsAmeriprise Financial would

like to congratulate all of the Rx For Excellence Award Winners.

We thank you and honor you for your highest quality of standards within our

healthcare community.

Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

© 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Our Advisors. Your Dreams. MORE WITHIN REACH®

Jason Tholander, A.A.M.S.Financial AdvisorVice President

2 Constitution PlzCharlestown, MA 02129

[email protected]

www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jason.tholander

Matthew LaneFinancial AdvisorVice President

2 Constitution PlazaCharlestown, MA 02129

617-580-4147

[email protected]

www.ameripriseadvisors.com/matthew.b.lane

617-580-4146




Who is your role model and why?Donna Williams, a CNS I now work with at

BIDMC. I first met Donna eight years ago whenI was in graduate school. She was a preceptorof mine during one of my graduate practicu-ums. Donna has many positive qualities thatI value, respect and aim to achieve in my ca-reer. She is an expert clinician who is ex-tremely knowledgeable, patient and profes-sional, and thus well-respected by all mem-bers of the health care team. She embracesand is dedicated to the profession of nursingand quality care.


One of the biggest challenges facing thehealth care industry is the cost associatedwith health care delivery. More specifically,maintaining quality when faced with in-creased costs, changes in reimbursementsand changing resources.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?At this time in my life, this is my dream job.

I work with an amazing group of profession-als at an institution that values quality care. Ihave a job where I am involved in work thatimproves quality and outcomes, where I canbalance work and home life with my husbandin raising a family.

Robert J. Griffin, Esq.PartnerKrokidas & Bluestein LLP

“Every day the physician isbalancing the quality concerns with the costconcerns. This is the challenge facing physicians today, and it is one that they have long been facing.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board of Directors of Marian Manor, St.

Patrick’s Manor, Carmel Terrace, Manet Com-munity Health Center, DOVE (Domestic Vio-lence Ended), Massachusetts Association forMental Health

• Chairman of the Board of S Bank• Cardinal Cushing Centers Finance Committee• Member of Marist Sisters Religious Trust• Coach of Wollaston Senior Babe Ruth base-

ball

Tell us about what you do. I am an attorney who practices primarily

in the area of the law pertaining to health careand public charities. I chair the health de-partment at the firm. I have been appointedreceiver of approximately 20 nursing facilitiesand public charities, and have been involvedin numerous health care transactions.

I assist providers with legal needs such asregulatory compliance, mergers and acquisi-tions, contracts, legislation, corporate struc-turing and resolving issues with oversight agen-cies. Providers I’ve worked with include hos-pitals, nursing homes, community health cen-ters, physicians, behavioral health providers,intellectually challenged providers and specialeducation schools.

Why do you do what you do?I meet interesting people and help them

deal with difficult issues. I receive the samesatisfaction whether I help a client navigatethe seemingly endless bureaucracy to resolvean issue, contribute my time or money to a

public charity or assist a struggling pitcher incorrecting his pitching delivery.

What is your proudest achievement?I was involved with a dedicated group of

city officials and professionals that workedtirelessly on the sale of the former Hale Hos-pital in Haverhill to Essent Healthcare. Thesale was completed on the last day before thehospital ran out of money.

Who is your role model and why?Alfred L. Frechette, MD, the Commissioner

of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts De-partment of Public Health from 1959 to 1971and from 1979 to 1983. I worked for Dr.Frechette from 1980 to 1981. He was a com-passionate and humble yet driven leader whocommanded the respect of both health carepractitioners and politicians. His commitmentto community and environmental health is un-matched. His lasting legacy is the recognitionthat the Commonwealth is home to the lead-ing Department of Public Health in the coun-try.


For the past thirty years, health policy-mak-ers have promoted the twin policies of quali-ty health care and low cost. No matter howmany analysts, attorneys and planners are in-volved with formulating health policy, physi-cians are the ones who execute the policy.Whether a physician is reimbursed under afee-for-service system, capitation, ACO or oth-erwise, the physician is the one who has todecide whether his or her patient receivesthat additional test, one that may be costly.The physician may be second-guessed by anafter-the-fact utilization review, but every daythe physician is balancing the quality con-cerns with the cost concerns. This is the chal-lenge facing physicians today, and it is onethat they have long been facing.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?To be a Major League Baseball manager (I

am too old to be a player).

What is one thing people don’t know about you?When I was in high school, I was a con-

tributing author of the book “How the OtherHalf Lived – an Ethnic History of Hartford, CT.”I co-authored the section on Italians and Ital-ian-Americans. My mother’s parents werefrom Corleto Perticara in the province ofPotenza, Italy – in case one wonders what aGriffin was doing writing about Italians in Hart-ford!

Courtland L. Harlow, Jr., MD (awarded posthumously)Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeonMilton Hospital & South Shore Hospital

“Bud was truly devoted to his patients. It didn’t matter when the callcame in.”– Pat Harlow, wife of Courtland L. Harlow, Jr.

Courtland L. Harlow, Jr., M.D., known as“Bud,” was a cosmetic and reconstructive sur-geon who practiced primarily at the SouthShore Hospital and Milton and Saint FrancisHospital. Harlow died at Jordan Hospital inPlymouth, Mass., on June 20, as the result ofa car accident, leaving behind his wifeDorothy Patricia Harney “Pat” Harlow and histhree children, Courtland Lawrence Harlow

III, Christine Alanna Harlow and Daniel JosephHarlow.

“He was an extremely bright, unassuming,humble human being. He had a purpose, heknew what that purpose was [and] he stayedtrue to who he was. As soon as he realizedthat medicine was his love, it became his pas-sion,” Pat Harlow commented. “He was ex-haustive in all his endeavors, and his com-passion for people was exemplified in hispractice. His patients absolutely loved him,as evidenced by his wake,” where several pa-tients were in attendance.

Harlow began specializing in reconstruc-tive surgery in the early 1970s when he treat-ed Vietnam veterans during clinical trainingat the Chelsea Naval Hospital. He also madenumerous trips to Jamaica, Lithuania,Ecuador, Bolivia, Vietnam and China with In-terplast (now ReSurge International), an in-ternational group of plastic surgeons who do-nate their services to both perform and teachreconstructive surgery in developing coun-tries.

“He had the extraordinary stamina to gointo third world countries where there was nocomparison” to the U.S. in terms of the qual-ity of patient care, Pat said. “His integrity wasunlimited. No one would have had the samedrive that Bud had.”

According to his obituary in The BostonGlobe, Dr. Harlow was a member of numerousorganizations, including the American Collegeof Surgeons, the American Society of Plasticand Reconstructive Surgeons, the AmericanSociety of the Maxillofacial Surgeons, theMassachusetts Medical Society, AmericanCleft Palate Association, New England Societyof Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Nor-folk South District Medical Society and the De-velopment Board of “My Brother’s Keeper.”

“Bud was truly devoted to his patients. Itdidn’t matter when the call came in,” his wifesaid. “A lot that he did was without publicknowledge but for the benefit of mankind.”

Andrew L. Hyams, Esq. PartnerKerstein, Coren & Lichtenstein, LLP

“The rise of health care costs as a percentage of GDP is not sustainable. The challenge is to be part of the solution and to still deliver care that is up to your own professional standards.”

Outside/Community Activities• Trustee and former treasurer of Temple Sinai

in Brookline

Tell us about what you do. I have a genial combination of health care

provider and general business clients, withmost new work referrals from other attorneys.My proudest professional moments are whenmy MPH gets some use in my practice.

Why do you do what you do?Most days because it is still fascinating, and

on the non-fascinating days, to save for col-lege and retirement.

What is your proudest achievement?My kids, most days.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?My difficulty with throwing things out.

Who is your role model and why?

My late father, a physician who would nev-er trade a penny’s worth of integrity for athousand dollars, even if no one would everfind out.


The rise of health care costs as a percent-age of GDP is not sustainable. The challengeis to be part of the solution and to still deliv-er care that is up to your own professionalstandards.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?A restaurant critic without a weight problem.

Brinda R. Kamat, MD, MPHChair of Department of Pathology Mount Auburn Hospital

“For me, it is rewarding to help patients every day, even if we do not usually meet them.”

Outside/Community Activities• President of the Massachusetts Society of

Pathologists (2005-2007) • President of the Indian Medical Association

of New England (2001) • Member of the Community Advisory Board of

WGBH

Tell us about what you do.I am part of a group practice that provides

professional services to the Department ofPathology at Mount Auburn Hospital. We area large laboratory with over 1 million test re-sults and many surgical pathology (e.g. tissuebiopsy) and cytology (e.g. Pap smears) spec-imens. We also perform autopsies.

As Director of Laboratories, I oversee over-all quality and the implementation of newtests and technologies, such as the automat-ed track system that links several machineson one track together with bar coding. Usingthis system, we aim for the twin goals of er-ror reduction and increased efficiency.

Why do you do what you do?For me, it is rewarding to help patients

every day, even if we do not usually meetthem. The pathology test is part of 70 to 80percent of medical records and as such, it isour patient encounter and a critical part ofthe onward clinical care of each patient. Myleadership position allows me to improveprocesses where needed. It is a good feelinggoing home every day knowing that I havedone some useful work.

What is your proudest achievement?Making the leap as an immigrant from In-

dia in 1978 into research and a competitiveHarvard residency program (with no obviousrole models before me at the time) was a chal-lenge that I enjoyed and appreciated. I thinkit gave me the training, perspective and con-fidence to be in my position today.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?As the first immigrant female department

chair, and one of eight medical departmentchairs in leadership positions at MountAuburn Hospital, I feel proud to be part of ahospital that has recognized my leadershipability. Overcoming my natural reserve in or-der to relate to the entire staff and larger hos-pital community has taught me the impor-tance of communication at every level in or-der to be effective.



Heroes from the Field Who is your role model and why?

I have two. Personally, my mother hasbroadened my horizons all my life by en-couraging me to welcome new challenges, en-gage with people and share my gifts and bless-ings. This is what she has accomplished, as amother of five, historian and volunteer leader.Professionally, there was a senior pathologistin my residency program who combined apowerful intellect with a kind and thoughtfulpersonality. He would give me memorable ax-ioms, such as, “a pathologist should alwaysspend more time thinking than acting.”


As medical knowledge explodes and pa-tients become more educated, and thereforehave higher expectations, matching the re-sources to the demands in health care is go-ing to be a challenge to everyone. Wise andinformed choices will be necessary for bothphysicians and patients.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?To be in a wider leadership position that

makes me part of the “solution” in medicine.It would be a rewarding end to my career inmedicine.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I play the piano and sang two solos, “Ain’t

She Sweet” and “Summertime,” for the gov-ernor of Maharashtra, India at a statewideschool event when I was 10 years old.

Madhavi Kamireddi, MD Medical DirectorNew England Center for Mental Health

“My dream job would be to lead a facility where medical and psychiatric servicesco-exist and complement each other to provide comprehensive carefor the patients.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board member, Community Alliance for Youth

(Acton-Boxborough)• USTA League Captain

Tell us about what you do. We have a unique group of highly qualified

and experienced mental health professionalsdedicated to providing outstanding psychi-atric care for patients of all ages. Our collab-orative approach focuses on promoting theunderstanding of mental illnesses and re-moval of the stigma associated with them. Inthe past year, we have successfully providedeasy access to quality treatment for children,adolescents and families affected by emo-tional and behavioral disorders.

Why do you do what you do?To attempt to bridge gaps in the current

mental health system and raise awareness ofthe impact of untreated mental health ill-nesses in the community.

What is your proudest achievement?Bringing exceptional professionals togeth-

er in our community to form New EnglandCenter for Mental Health.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?The stigma associated with mental health

illnesses prevents timely access to treatment.

Who is your role model and why?The late Dr. Michael Gilchrist of Chelms-

ford, an excellent pediatrician and communi-ty leader, who inspired me to connect witheach and every patient as a human being, aswell as their families, to make a difference intheir lives.


Rising financial costs for medical treat-ments and dwindling resources to promoteprevention and early intervention.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Leading a facility where medical and psy-

chiatric services co-exist and complementeach other to provide comprehensive care forthe patients.

Stanley M. Levenson, DMD DentistWorcester

“I love putting‘unforgettable smiles’ on my patients’ faces.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board of Health, City of Worcester

Tell us about what you do.I have a general dental practice, with a focus

on advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistryfor adults, including implants, Invisalign and six-month braces.

Why do you do what you do?I love putting “unforgettable smiles” on my

patients’ faces! I want to provide optimal dentalhealth care in a comfortable, relaxed setting.

What is your proudest achievement?My family. Also, providing a free smile

makeover to a poor young woman who soonfound a job and a boyfriend after we finished.

Congratulations to Patricia Folcarelli, RN, PhD, Jean Gillis, RN, MS, and Gila R. Kriegel, MD,

of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Dorothy Flood McWeeney, BSN, RN, of

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham for receiving the 2011 Rx for Excellence award from

the Massachusetts Medical Law Report. Thank you for embracing our commitment to safe

and superior health care every day.

Healthy is setting high standards in health care



What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? People’s fear of dentistry due to previous

bad experiences.

Who is your role model and why? Dr. Omer Reed, a visionary and pioneer in

dentistry.


Access to and affordability of care for ourpatients.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Owner of the Red Sox.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I was a security guard at concerts during

dental school.

Dorothy Flood McWeeney, BSN, RNDirector of Health Care Quality and Patient SafetyBeth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham

“When patients entrust us with their lives or the lives of their loved ones, it is our obligation and responsibility to do all that we are able to care for them in an efficient, compassionate manner.”

Outside/Community Activities• Organize various community health educa-

tion events sponsored by the hospital.

Tell us about what you do.As Director of Health Care Quality and Pa-

tient Safety, I monitor compliance with the poli-cies and guidelines established by the hospital.I also monitor incidents and quality concerns,watch for trends and prioritize quality improve-ment efforts. This year we have instituted Com-puterized Physician Order Entry and an en-hanced Printed Medication AdministrationRecord, and significantly decreased the num-ber of patient falls.

Why do you do what you do?I am passionate about safety in health care.

When patients entrust us with their lives or thelives of their loved ones, it is our obligation andresponsibility to do all that we are able to carefor them in an efficient, compassionate man-ner. In a system that is under constant scrutinyfor the potential for error, I implore all of thosewith whom I work to care for our patients asone would want a family member cared for inour hospital.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievement is the ability to

build consensus and motivate a group to worktogether as a team. We are a very small hospitalwith limited resources. People must “wear sever-al hats” in our environment in order to get thejob done well. It is important to be approach-able, be open to new ideas and value the po-tential in all members of the team. Building acommunity where people feel respected fortheir contributions is essential in order to movethe team forward. I think we do an excellentjob in this area.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Our biggest challenge is the size of the hos-

pital and the limited number of resources avail-able as a result. It doesn’t matter if you are ahospital of 50 beds or 500 beds. We all have tohave the same quality measures in place to en-sure the safety and satisfaction of our patients

and their families. We owe our success in thisarena to the hard work of the team and ourcommitment to excellence.

Who is your role model and why? My role model is Sorrel King, the founder of

the Josie King Foundation. Josie was an 18-month-old who died as a result of medical er-ror. Her mother, Sorrel, has become a leader inthe health care quality movement. She has tak-en her profound sorrow and channeled thatenergy to educate all of us associated with themedical profession about patient safety initia-tives. The foundation’s mission is to help all ofus focus on the prevention of medical errors.


The biggest challenge in the health care in-dustry is the expectation that we can do morewith so much less. Patients and families expectmore of the health care system at a time whenphysicians are being pushed to increase theirproductivity. It is too easy to forget that we aredealing with people when they are most vul-nerable. Sometimes patients just want an empa-thetic ear or a kind word. The stress inherent inquickly seeing more people does not lend itselfto the needs and expectations of our patients.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I would like to be involved in the education

of young doctors and nurses. It would be anhonor and a privilege to help shape the futureleaders in our health care system. I would wantto model excellence in health care with an em-phasis on the delivery of compassionate care.

Annette Roberts, RNPerformance Improvement and Quality ManagerMilford Regional Medical Center

“Implementing processes to best deliver quality health care is the basis for achieving optimal outcomes for patientsand families.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board of Directors for Millis Boosters Club • Board of Directors for Millis Backstage Crew

Tell us about what you do. Our department collects, analyzes and dis-

seminates data. We present hospital dashboarddata to various committee meetings. We closelymonitor evidence-based practice measures,and seek to engage staff and clinicians in pro-jects related to areas that identify improvementopportunities. We have introduced and educat-ed the staff at Milford about quality and perfor-mance improvement, and demonstrated thateven small changes can yield great results.

Why do you do what you do?Quality health care is something every per-

son deserves. Health care workers are entrustedto provide appropriate care and treatmentwhen necessary. Implementing processes tobest deliver that care is the basis for achievingoptimal outcomes for patients and families.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievement is my children.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? One of the biggest obstacles I had to over-

come was balancing work and raising my chil-dren. Being in environments that fostered workand life balance made it easier to achieve.


My role model is DeWayne Pursley, MD, Chiefof Neonatology at BIDMC. DeWayne first intro-duced me to quality and performance im-provement in the 1990s. He encouraged collab-orative teams and development of processesfor providing exceptional care to neonates andtheir families. He understood the value of hav-ing different disciplines coming together toachieve this goal. He also recognized and ap-preciated the input of families in these process-es.


The biggest challenge for doctors and thehealth care industry is achieving exceptional,cost-effective health care for everyone.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?My dream job in health care would be to

work at the state or national level towardachieving optimal health care systems for all in-dividuals throughout their lifespans.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I am fascinated by architecture and design.

Regina S. Rockefeller, Esq. PartnerNixon Peabody

“I like medicine and the people who devote their lives to providing hands- on patient care.”

Outside/Community Activities• Tufts Alumni Council • Boston Bar Association • American Health Lawyers Association • Fresh Air Fund Parent

Tell us about what you do. I represent health care providers including

hospitals, physician groups, individual physi-cians and others in disciplinary actions beforelicensing boards, medical schools and universi-ties, and also continuing care retirement com-munities and educational institutions.

Why do you do what you do?I like medicine and the people who devote

their lives to providing hands-on patient care.

What is your proudest achievement?I served as Chair of the Board of Hospice

West, the first Medicare Certified AIDS hospicein the United States. We opened the Hospice atMission Hill in Boston in the late 1980s.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? My own reluctance to delegate tasks to other

highly capable people.

Who is your role model and why? The late attorney Ellen Carpenter who served

as President of the Boston Bar Association, diedprematurely and left as her legacy a financial lit-eracy program for middle and high school stu-dents. Ellen always seemed happy and impartedher confidence to those around her.


Those in our country who oppose extendinghealth care as a basic right to all Americans.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Headmistress of a boarding school for eco-

nomically disadvantaged students. I want to of-

fer them the educational, social and athletic ad-vantages that New England prep schools offerto children of privilege.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I am a Fresh Air Fund parent to an 8th grade

boy from Queens Village, N.Y. who began com-ing to our home when he was 8 years old.

Grant V. Rodkey, MD SurgeonVA Medical Center – West Roxbury

The biggest challenge facingthe health care industry today is “society’s penchant for considering medicine as a commodity.”

Outside/Community Activities• Massachusetts Medical Society and American

Medical Association• Various surgical societies and associations • Plymouth Congregational Church

Tell us about what you do.I have worked in general surgery at Massa-

chusetts General Hospital for 50 years, alwaysassociated with training students and residents.I have been a consultant to the Boston VA for50 years and an active staff member of the VABoston Healthcare System for 25 years. I alsohave faculty appointments at Boston Universityand Harvard.

Why do you do what you do?I thought it might be helpful to the people

around me.

What is your proudest achievement?Rearing two adopted children.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Myself – but I have had a lot of help from my

friends!

Who is your role model and why? Dr. Arthur W. Allen of Johns Hopkins Medical

School and the Massachusetts General Hospi-tal. He was wise, generous, devoted to patientsand students as well as the Massachusetts Gen-eral Hospital. He was the best technical sur-geon and the most skillful diagnostician of hisgeneration at Mass. General.


Society’s penchant for considering medicineas a commodity, and doctors and patients as in-terchangeable widgets within their respectivespheres.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?My own – squared!

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I owned a horse and began riding at age 3.

Heroes from the Field Continued from page Rx7

www.mamedicallaw.com



Rola M. Shaheen, MDChief of Radiology and Director of Women’s ImagingHarrington Memorial Hospital

“I know thisknowledge needs to be shared with less fortunate parts of the world that lack cancer awareness. I feel I have a message to deliver through mywork and outreach activities locally and globally.”

Outside/Community Activities• Former Regional Director for the Middle East

for Susan G. Komen for the Cure• Responsible for a baseline needs assessment

study in multiple Middle East countries to im-prove breast cancer care

• Authored booklets in English and Arabic onbreast cancer awareness in the Middle East

• Volunteer at children’s school • Speaker on empowerment of Middle Eastern

women at Phillips Academy

Tell us about what you do. I am a radiologist working in women’s

imaging with a focus on breast cancer diag-nosis and management. I have a passion fora multidisciplinary approach to breast can-cer care, and have developed a multidiscipli-nary breast cancer care meeting at Harring-ton Hospital. It’s been a successful programfor the past three years, where all breast can-cer cases are discussed to achieve top quali-ty care.

Why do you do what you do?I am giving back to life. I have been

blessed with many good opportunities, men-tors and friends throughout my career. I feelresponsible because I know this knowledgeneeds to be shared with less fortunate partsof the world that lack cancer awareness. Ifeel I have a message to deliver through mywork and outreach activities locally andglobally.

What is your proudest achievement?A breast cancer awareness project in Gaza. I

am very proud that I was able to complete andpublish the first stage of this Harvard project,which was done through a team at Beth IsraelDeaconess Medical Center and Brigham andWomen’s Hospital. It is a very challenging pro-ject with many barriers, yet we were able toachieve our goal.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Being stateless for 30 years! I was born in

Kuwait to Palestinian parents from Gaza whohad only travel documents (you don’t getKuwaiti citizenship if you are born in Kuwaitunless your parents are Kuwaiti). I had manyproblems at the borders of some countries be-cause of my status (no citizenship), includinglong waiting periods which delayed writing myUSMLE exams.

Who is your role model and why? Ambassador Nancy Brinker, the founder and

CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She hasmade her personal story a public case, and wasable to build the largest breast cancer founda-tion in the world. Recently she has establishedthe global outreach program, which is also mypassion.


The financial crisis. The fact that money may

be short in some practices and institutions mayaffect quality of patient care. It takes a lot of pa-tience, education and commitment to keep thehigh standards of quality care with limited re-sources.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Working at the UN or WHO to have a plat-

form to improve care for cancer and other non-communicable diseases.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I feel very anxious and sad each time I have

to tell my patients that they need a breast biop-sy to rule out cancer. I just can’t get used to thelook in patients’ eyes after I break the news. ButI love my job and will continue doing whateverit takes.

C. Jason Smithers, MDPediatric SurgeonChildren’s Hospital Boston

“I love medicine andscience and workingwith my hands, so surgery is the perfectmarriage of all of those things.”

Outside/Community Activities• Traveling abroad to Haiti and other countries

to provide surgical care for underserved pop-ulations.

Tell us about what you do.

I’m a pediatric surgeon with a broadscope of practice treating children from theneonatal and infant period through earlyadulthood.

Why do you do what you do?

I love to help people and make a difference.I love medicine and science and working withmy hands, so surgery is the perfect marriage ofall of those things.

What is your proudest achievement?

Being a dad to a beautiful 2-month-old babygirl!!

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

Long hours make a balanced life difficult toachieve.


The many unknown physicians and othermissionaries who devote their lives to helpingpeople around the world, despite the fact thatthey will never receive fame or monetary re-ward.


Learning proper (self) regulation of costwhile still delivering the best medical care.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?

To be a guide for heli-snowboarding inCanada or Alaska.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?

I’m a prior adrenaline junkie, now reformedsince I’m a dad.

Steve R. Williams, MD Chief, Chairman Department of Rehabilitation MedicineBoston Medical Center

“I love the interactions with patients and their families and the complexity of spinal cord medicine.”

Outside/Community Activities• Exercise, yoga, running, cooking, walking with

my dogs

Tell us about what you do.I care for people with spinal cord injuries at

Boston Medical Center, where I am also the direc-tor of the New England Regional Spinal Cord In-jury Center, one of 14 federally designated cen-ters of excellence for spinal cord injury care. I amactively involved in research and am the princi-pal investigator on the three multi-center, multi-million dollar research projects. My interests in-clude patient education and advocacy and Ihave developed a recurring lecture series for pa-tients and their families every other month thatbrings nationally and internationally known

speakers to the BMC campus to discuss relevanttopics in spinal cord injury and disability. Thislecture series is now regularly webcast to rehabil-itation centers in 26 states and nine countries.

Why do you do what you do?I love the interactions with patients and their

families and the complexity of spinal cordmedicine.

What is your proudest achievement?Knowing my patients trust me as a friend,

confidant and caregiver.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Providing care to many patients with cata-

strophic injury who have few financial and so-cial resources.

Who is your role model and why? My parents, for their kindness toward others

and their caring hearts.


The shrinking amount of health care dollarsin safety net hospitals.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Director of Rehabilitation at the World

Health Organization.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I love yoga!

Dedication. Commitment. Inspiration.

Tufts Health Plan congratulates Juan F. Lopera, Director, Contracting Strategy & Analytics.


Mitchell Adams Former Executive DirectorMassachusetts Technology Collaborative

“Our work with the New England Healthcare Instituteon Computerized Physician Order Entry directly resulted in state andfederal laws requiringthe implementation of this life-saving technology.

Outside/Community Activities • Harvard University, Board of Overseers, Vice

Chair (2010-2011) • Boston Athenaeum, Trustee

Tell us about what you have accomplished. Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, in col-

laboration with the New England Healthcare Insti-tute (NEHI) beginning in 2004, developed a programto speed the adoption of advanced technologies inthe health care system that both save money andimprove quality. As a result, the adoption of a num-ber of very important technologies has been great-ly accelerated, including Computerized PhysicianOrder Entry and Tele-ICU. In addition, our work re-sulted in a statutory framework for Massachusettsthat has put our state ahead of all others in the de-ployment of ubiquitous electronic medical recordsand health information exchange.

Why do you do what you do? The programs described here improve quali-

ty and access in the health care system.

What is your proudest achievement? Our work with NEHI on CPOE directly result-

ed in state and federal laws requiring the imple-mentation of this life-saving technology.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Inertia – the viscosity of the system!

Who is your role model and why? Paul Farmer, Tom White and Ophelia Dahl,

founders of Partners in Health. Their radical ap-proach upset all conventional wisdom, and theirnew models give relief, that would otherwise beimpossible, to the neediest of humankind.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)? Founder of new systems that address the

health care system’s most intractable problems.

What is one thing people don’t know about you? I’m a Gilbert and Sullivan buff and have mem-

orized the priceless song: “I am the Very Modelof a Modern Major General”!

Sylvia Bartel, RPh, MPH Vice President of PharmacyDana-Farber Cancer Institute

“The reward and satisfaction in what I do comes from the impact that my work has on patient care.”

Outside/Community Activities • Co-manager of synchronized skating team • Sunday school teacher • Treasurer for Church Sisterhood Organization

Tell us about what you do. As VP of Pharmacy Services for Dana-Farber

Cancer Institute, I am responsible for the ambu-latory inpatient and satellite pharmacy opera-tions. There are many accomplishments that havebeen achieved in my role and practice. I focus onall design, implementation and ongoing initia-tives to ensure medication safety practices are atthe highest standard possible. The other recentaccomplishment has been the design, planningand effective transition this year into a new build-ing. This included a redesign of our pharmacy op-erations from a decentralized to a centralizedmodel.

Why do you do what you do?The reward and satisfaction in what I do comes

from the impact that my work has on patient care.It is all about helping our patients with their needsand contributing in the best way possible.

What is your proudest achievement? Being named Massachusetts Pharmacists Asso-

ciation Hospital Pharmacist of the Year by my peers.

Who is your role model and why? My role models are our patients who, through

very different challenges, continue to make pos-itive contributions in the world.


Maintaining quality while ensuring opera-tional and financial efficiencies in the face ofincreasing demands for health care services.

David Blumenthal, MD Professor of Health Care Policy MGH/Partners HealthCare System, Inc.

“I am deeply committed to improving the functioning of our health care system.”

Outside/Community Activities• Boards of non-profit organizations including

University of Pennsylvania Health System andInstitute on Medicine as a Profession

• Chairman, Commonwealth Fund Commis-sion on a High Performance Health System

Tell us about what you do.I practiced primary care medicine for 35

years until I became National Coordinator forHealth Information Technology in April 2009. Iconducted research, teaching and writingabout health policy and founded the MonganInstitute for Health Policy at MGH/PartnersHealth System.

Why do you do what you do?I am deeply committed to improving the func-

tioning of our health care system. As a primary carephysician for over 30 years and a long-time teacherof medical students and residents, I have seen theopportunity to improve the safety of care throughbetter systems, better information and better teach-ing. I have made mistakes myself that I knew wereavoidable with better information and human-fac-tor interventions. And as a policy-maker, I have seenmany opportunities to improve safety fall by thewayside. All of these add to my motivation.

What is your proudest achievement?Launching a national program to create a

nationwide, interoperable, private and secureelectronic health information system. From2009-2011, as National Coordinator for HealthInformation Technology, I led the implementa-tion of the HITECH Act, including drafting of

the Meaningful Use regulation, standards andcertification criteria for EHRs, and multiple oth-er initiatives. As of the end of August, 90,000providers had registered to be meaningfulusers of HIT. I am hoping that this work will starta new era in information systems in health careand accelerate health reform more generally.

Who is your role model and why? Winston Churchill – a man of action and re-

flection. He was a leader who thrived on adver-sity, made tough decisions constantly and led anation at war. Yet he was also a prolific authorand scholar. It is rare in history – Theodore Roo-sevelt and Woodrow Wilson are among the fewexamples in the U.S. – for a historic politicalleader to be both a thinker and man (orwoman) of action.


To develop the coalitions and alliances in lo-cal markets that are the key to improving valuein health care. Health care change is local, anddepends on collaboration in so many ways: col-laboration to coordinate care across institution-al and practice boundaries; coordination toalign the incentive programs and measure-ments used by private payers; coordination toexchange electronic health information. Unlesswe increase the ability of doctors and otherproviders to work together for common healthcare purposes, we will never achieve our valuegoals in health care.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I love mysteries.

Francois de Brantes, MS, MBAExecutive DirectorHealthcare Incentives Improvement Institute

“I believe that the true power of the U.S. health care system for the benefit of all patients can be unleashed with the right incentives.”

Outside/Community Activities• Involved in parish activities and ministries

Tell us about what you do. During the past decade I’ve been working to

transform the health care system by designingand implementing new programs that includethe Leapfrog Group, Bridges to Excellence andPROMETHEUS Payment. These initiatives have ledto various changes in the industry includinggreater transparency of physician and hospitalquality, pay-for-performance and payment reform.

Why do you do what you do?Because I believe that the true power of the

U.S. health care system for the benefit of all pa-tients can be unleashed with the right incen-tives, and that from that transformation willemerge new and better ways of providing care,far greater quality and affordability and a mod-el for the rest of the world to emulate.

What is your proudest achievement?That thousands of physicians in the country

are now recognized for the quality of care theydeliver, receiving financial incentives for theirrecognition, and that through these recogni-tions millions of Americans are getting bettercare, as a result of programs I have created.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

The status quo, and I try every day to over-come it a little more.


Managing the shift from volume to value-based payment and the incredible transforma-tion that it will engender in every aspect ofprovider, payer and vendor organizations.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Leading an innovative health plan or

provider organization.

Richard W. BrewerPresident and CEOCoverys (formerly ProMutual Group)

“We hope that with our strength, doctors in hospitalsknow we’re behind them.”

Outside/Community Activities• Trustee of the American Institute for Economic

Research• Several directorships

Tell us about what you do.My job specifically is president and CEO of

Coverys. That role involves leadership of the en-tire organization, management of the company,achieving strategic and business plans andworking closely with our board of directors.

Why do you do what you do?We make a contribution to medicine by de-

fending the physicians and hospitals we insure. Physicians in hospitals are exposed to malprac-

tice lawsuits, and we aggressively defend goodmedicine. We also settle where appropriate. Wehope that with our strength, doctors in hospitalsknow we’re behind them. We insure dentists, too.

What is your proudest achievement?Leading a fine organization like Coverys. I’ve

been here 11 years. The company was primarily inMassachusetts, and we’ve expanded to other states.We now insure doctors, dentists and hospitals in 22states. The company is profitable and has grown,and we’ve done good for doctors and hospitals.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Learning how to achieve by building teams

rather than achieving by individual effort. Earli-er in my career I was a strong individual per-former. But I’ve learned that working with peo-ple and developing a team accomplishesmore. It’s more interesting and rewarding to dothat. Now, I’m a team builder, consensus builderand leader.

Who is your role model and why?Ronald Reagan, for believing that America is

about its people and its values.


Excessive government intervention. One-sev-enth of the economy is health care, which is abig number. Fortunes of individual doctors, hos-pitals and health care providers have a lot todo with government policy, and are less andless related to the market. Market forces are notallowed to play in the field of medicine be-cause it’s so tightly controlled by government.With the Affordable Care Act, I believe the for-tune of doctors and hospitals will be more de-pendent on what the government does, and Ibelieve that’s a threat.

The Leaders in Quality are professionals whose unique efforts have helped advance safety,

quality and risk management for many patients and health care providers.


What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?President of a college.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?My varied interests in art, automobiles and

railroad history.

Awarded withKenneth A. Heisler, MD, FACSChairman of the BoardCoverys (formerly ProMutual Group)

“Physician autonomyvis-à-vis the doctor-patient relationship is what we need to navigate over the next few years.”

Outside/Community Activities• President of Barnstable District Medical Society• Member of Executive Board of the Cape Cod

& Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of Ameri-ca, Scoutmaster, Troop 40, Falmouth, Mass.

Tell us about what you do. I’ve spent 30 years on-call in a community-

based general surgery practice, including car-ing for many breast cancer survivors.

Why do you do what you do?To be an instrument for healing and comfort.

What is your proudest achievement?My marriage of 35 years and raising two

great kids.

Who is your role model and why?My father, who had a long, happy marriage

and raised great kids, too.


Physicians maintaining their independenceas advocates for their patients, and basically try-ing to do the right thing. There’s a lot of uncer-tainty with consolidations of practice into largegroups. There are fewer traditional, indepen-dent solo and small group practitioners. Physi-cian autonomy vis-à-vis the doctor-patient rela-tionship is what we need to navigate over thenext few years.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?To be a crew coach.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I have a Forestry Merit Badge.

Jeff L. Ecker, MD Director of Obstetrical Clinical Research and QualityAssurance Massachusetts General Hospital

“I am part of a group and organization that has made quality and safety part of our culture.”

Tell us about what you do. I practice maternal fetal medicine (high-risk

obstetrics) at MGH. My administrative responsi-bilities include quality and safety. Our grouphas established a robust system for evaluatingand improving the care we deliver.

Why do you do what you do?It’s constantly challenging, often rewarding

and occasionally amusing.

What is your proudest achievement?I am part of a group and organization that

has made quality and safety part of our cultureand daily conversation and have personallyhad a small hand in fostering that.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Providers and organizations have many de-

mands on their time and resources. Divertingsome for quality assurance efforts is not alwaystrivial.

Who is your role model and why?I have many role models but will offer two:

Isaac Schiff – my chair – who manages to leadwith subtlety and kindness, and Sarah Ecker –my wife – who in her work recognizes the im-pact of decisions on others and their work, al-ways finds the best in those who work with herand manages to find time for the importantthings in life.


Competing and conflicting demands: Wewant more done with less, we want uniformi-ty of care while maintaining choice, and weseek transparency and ready flow of infor-mation while maintaining privacy. We can’thave it all.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I was part of the ‘84 Olympics in LA: official

waterboy, changing coolers and soda machinesin the athletes’ village. No medals, but I did weara day-glo uniform.

Leaders in Quality

Pierce & Mandell, P.C.

11 Beacon Street, Suite 800 Boston, MA 02108 T. (617) 720-2444 F. (617) 720-3693

www.piercemandell.com Offices in Boston, Chatham and Sudbury

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The Recipients of &� -* 9 760 * 9) ) � 9� � 9� 409

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&� 79� -0� *9 � 76� 1� 9� 6� �7 0*�William M. MandellThomas E. KenneyDean P. NicastroKate L. Auerbach

Brandon H. SaundersSuzanne M. Fuchs

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Greenberg Traurig congratulates all the 2011 Rx for Excellence award recipients, including our friends

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Children’s Hospital Boston

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Leaders in Quality


JamesGlauber,MDSenior Medical DirectorNeighborhood Health Plan

“What doesn’t change is the genuine satisfaction of a successful interaction with a child and family inthe exam room.”

Tell us aboutwhat youdo.I’m the senior medical director of Neighbor-

hood Health Plan and a pediatrician at Har-vardVanguard Medical Associates.

Whydo youdowhat youdo?I care about my work and derive great satis-

faction in the practice of medicine and med-ical management. I appreciate that the issuesand challenges change from day to day andweek to week. What doesn’t change is the gen-uine satisfaction of a successful interactionwith a child and family in the exam room. Thatis a gift that continually keeps on giving.

What is your proudest achievement?Developing a successful asthma-management

program at Neighborhood Health Plan, as well asbuilding a successful medical management ca-reer in Boston after moving here in 1999 mid-ca-reer and starting as a research fellow in healthservices research at Children’s Hospital.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?The complexity of our health care system –

but I can’t claim to have overcome it. On a personal level, overcoming both the

death of my mother from cancer when I was 15and having to move to a different community,and living and working independently at age 16while in high school. Also, losing our home tothe Oakland, Calif., firestorm in 1991.


The breadth and complexity of clinical infor-mation, opaqueness of pricing/cost informa-tion and complexity of our health care system. Ialso think the inevitable transformational shiftin both public reporting of quality informationand reimbursement methods will change thelandscape of how medicine is practiced. Howwe embrace that as a profession will define ourprofessionalism.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Being a massage therapist.

DavidM.Harlan,MDCo-Director, Diabetes Center of ExcellenceUMass Memorial Health Care

“My professionmust find a way to maintain its‘soul’ of patient-centered care despitethe current team approach to care andthe efficiency-driven environment.”

Outside/Community Activities• Participate in events to raise awareness for di-

abetes• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and

the American Diabetes Association

Tell us about what you do.I co-direct the Diabetes Center of Excellence

for the University of Massachusetts MedicalSchool and its partner UMass Memorial HealthCare (UMMHC). The accomplishment now be-ing recognized is that, along with our partners,Allscripts™ (UMMHC’s electronic medicalrecord or EMR) and MyCareTeam™ (a smallcompany that has developed a system for pa-tients to upload their blood glucose meters to aHIPAA-compliant web-based database usingmost commercially available meters), we haveintegrated the functions so that individuals withdiabetes can report their blood glucose read-ings from their homes such that they can be im-ported electronically into their EMR.

Why do you do what you do?For over 25 years, my professional goal has

been to improve our understanding of diabetesso that we might find a cure and, short of thatcure, to improve treatment strategies for thosewith the disease.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievement is the family my

wife and I have raised. My most proud profes-sional achievement is an unpopular stand Itook to point out that pancreas transplantationwas associated with previously under-appreci-ated morbidity and mortality such that its useshould be limited.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Many people had a vested interest in support-

ing transplant-based approaches for diabetes. Mydata-based stance against transplant therapies re-sulted in me being subjected to some unfair andinaccurate ad hominem attacks.


The traditional practice of medicine wasvery personal between each physician andeach individual. As medicine has becomemore specialized and as cost efficiencies havebecome more important, the special doctor-pa-tient relationship is threatened. My professionmust find a way to maintain its “soul” of patient-centered care despite the current team ap-proach to care and the efficiency-driven envi-ronment. I believe technological advancementslike the Allscripts and MyCareTeam functionali-ty now being recognized can help.

What is the one thing people don’t know about you?The deep (and appropriate) humility and ap-

preciation I harbor working with such talentedpartners who compliment my many weaknessesand who seem to appreciate my contributions.

Awarded withJim Mingle President and CEOMyCareTeam, Inc.

“I had a vision to help health care providers better manage people with chronic diseases using innovativetechnology.”

Outside/Community Activities• Active member of Our Lady of Assumption

Church • Volunteer at Hyde School through the Hyde

Alumni Parent Association

Tell us about what you do. I’m the President and CEO of MyCareTeam,

Inc. and have over 25 years of marketing, salesand executive management experience in themedical software and the high tech software in-dustry. MCT Clinical is our new product jointlydesigned with UMass Memorial Health Careand Allscripts. It changes the way people withchronic diseases are treated. It’s essentially a

technology-driven behavior modification toolthat allows individuals with chronic diseases,such as diabetes, and their care providers tocollaborate and monitor their disease. The soft-ware allows patients to upload their medicaldata to MCT Clinical, which automatically andelectronically transfers into Allscripts EHR.

This new system enables health care providersto better care for their patients with chronic dis-eases by allowing the patients to be part of the de-livery of their care, ultimately delivering better out-comes. That allows the health care providers tolower the total cost of their care.

Why do you do what you do?I do what I do because I had a vision to help

health care providers better manage peoplewith chronic diseases using innovative technol-ogy. This vision has allowed people with chron-ic diseases a better quality of life.

What is your proudest achievement?Working with my team — Dr. Harlan of

UMass Memorial Health Care and Blain New-ton of Allscripts – to develop and launch MCTClinical at UMass Memorial Health Care.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?The biggest obstacle has been changing ex-

isting models of delivery of care.

Who is your role model and why?My role model is Steve Jobs because he did

not quit on products he believed in.


The biggest challenge facing doctors andthe health care industry is finding better waysto manage people with chronic conditionswho consume 75 percent of the $2.6 trillionhealth care tab in the U.S.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?A long time ago I came in fourteenth in a

marathon.

Awarded withGlen E. TullmanCEOAllscripts

“I’m proud of the work we are doing to improve the quality of and access to health care in America and around the world.”

Outside/Community Activities• I serve on the International Board of Directors

of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation(JDRF), and have worked on the ArtificialPancreas Project and fundraising.

Tell us about what you do. Allscripts provides electronic health records,

practice management and related services toimprove quality and better manage the cost ofpatient care to one out of every three physi-cians in the U.S. as well as more than 1,500 hos-pitals and 10,000 post-acute care organizations.Our goal is to provide a “Connected Communi-ty of Health™” focused on using the power ofinformation technology to connect and betterinform physicians and patients.

Why do you do what you do?Getting people to health is my top priority. As

an advocate for change, my vision is to create aConnected Community of Health™, connectinginformation so that physicians have the ability toget information where and when they need it.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievement is my three chil-

dren and the values they have. Personally, I’m

proud of the work we are doing to improve thequality of and access to health care in Americaand around the world.

Who is your role model and why?I have many role models because I try to

learn from everyone I come into contact with.That said, on a personal basis, my children eachserve a role models to me, dealing with toughissues like diabetes and constantly impressingme with how much better they are than I everwas. On a professional basis, my role modelsare: Einstein, for his humor and perspective;Edison, for his invention and innovation; Man-dela, for his perseverance and ability to forgive;and Jobs, for the ability he had to change theworld in his own way.


The core issue in health care is that it is notconnected – functionally, financially or techni-cally. I believe this connectivity is imperative toimprove patient care, lower costs and drive col-laboration across the entire continuum ofhealth care. The way to do that is to provide thetools and information physicians and nursesneed to give the best care possible wherever itis delivered.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I’m a very amateur magician.

Laurie Herndon, RN, MSN, GNP-BCDirector of Clinical QualityMassachusetts Senior Care Foundation

“If I can make a small difference inthe life of an olderadult living in a nursing home, I haveaccomplished allthat I need to.”

Outside/Community Activities• Sunday school teacher • School volunteer

Tell us about what you do. In my current role at the Massachusetts Se-

nior Care Foundation, I have had the opportuni-ty to assist our members in becoming activelyengaged in the statewide efforts to reduce un-necessary acute care transfers.

I have had the opportunity to train morethan 100 Massachusetts nursing facilities on theINTERACT II toolkit, a process intended to re-duce avoidable acute care transfers and hospi-talizations, and I have facilitated the participa-tion of the long-term care community in bothlocal and statewide collaborative efforts withacute care partners to improve care transitions.This role allows me to share the excellence andinnovation that goes on every day in the long-term care setting with groups from across thehealth care system. This work has helped ourmembers shine and has ultimately improvedthe quality of care provided to our residents.

I am also a general nurse practitioner in clinicalpractice in the long-term care setting and althoughI am only in the nursing home one day per week, itis my work on that day that gives me the most per-sonal satisfaction. If I can make a small differencein the life of an older adult living in a nursinghome, I have accomplished all that I need to.

Why do you do what you do?I am in awe of the older adults I serve. I ab-

solutely love the residents I care for and learnfrom them every day. I am constantly inspiredto be a better leader at Massachusetts SeniorCare as I encounter the hard work, innovation



and excellence among those frontline long-term care staff that I meet each week.

What is your proudest achievement?Well, perhaps the right answer here is work-

related, but the truth is that my proudestachievement lies in my family – my husband ismy best friend and we have two great boys,Jack and William, who make our joy complete.

Who is your role model and why?Alice Bonner, director of the Division of

Nursing Homes in the CMS Survey and Certifi-cation Division, is my role model. She is ab-solutely one of the smartest people I have everknown, and she somehow manages to bringeveryone around her “up.” She inspires, drivesand motivates me to do better, do more and bethe best that I can be. She always sees the posi-tives, the potential and hope in a situation.


There is just not enough time to spend withthe individual patient and their family. Com-plexity drives the time constraints. There arecomplex payment policies, systems and com-peting demands.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I am a tri-athlete and a homeschooling

mom.

Susan Joss CEOBrockton Neighborhood Health Center

The biggest challenge facing the health care industry is “improving the quality of care and reducing costs at the same time.”

Outside/Community Activities• Secretary of the Board, Massachusetts League

of Community Health Centers • Rotary Club• VP of Government Affairs for MetroSouth

Chamber of Commerce.

Tell us about what you do. I opened the Community Health Center 17

years ago and it has since grown to serving23,000 patients with 120,000 visits per year.

Why do you do what you do?To bring quality medical and dental services

to vulnerable, low-income populations.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?The rapid growth of the health center.

What is your proudest achievement?Managing rapid growth.


Improving the quality of care and reducingcosts at the same time.

James F. X. Kenealy, MDChair of Committee on LegislationMassachusetts Medical Society

“When I can turna colleague froma disengaged complainer into a passionate, involvedadvocate, regardlessof the issue, I knowthat I have done something great formy profession and my patients.”

Outside/Community Activities• Former director of the Massachusetts Medical

Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation • Doctors and Their Families Make a Difference Day • Writer and reporter for “To Your Health,” a

monthly public health information segment

Tell us about what you do. Over the years, I have been increasingly in-

volved in grassroots physician advocacy, first bytrying to reinvigorate my local district medicalsociety. I’ve served on MMS’s Board of Trusteesand, most recently, as Chair of the MMS Com-mittee on Legislation.

In that capacity I have encouraged my col-leagues to become more involved in grassroots advocacy. We’ve been able to reorganize alegislative key contact program and have a uni-fied, coordinated response to physician and pa-tient issues in the state and national health carereform debates.

Why do you do what you do?I realized that I need to take care of my pa-

tients and their interests not just in my office, buton Beacon Hill and in Washington, D.C., as well.Physicians rightly complain about outside inter-ference (governmental and otherwise) in theirphysician-patient relationships, the viability oftheir practices (especially solo and small grouppractices, like mine) and concerns over med-ical malpractice liability where one feels likethey are treating the patient’s lawyer, instead ofthe patient. The only way to preserve a viablephysician-patient relationship is to become in-volved in grass roots advocacy. This is not some-thing that we can have others do for us. We needto help ourselves to help our patients.

What is your proudest achievement?When I can turn a colleague from a disen-

gaged complainer into a passionate, involvedadvocate, regardless of the issue, I know that Ihave done something great for my professionand my patients.

Leaders in Quality

www.allscripts.com

Allscripts provides innovative solutions that enable a connected healthcare community. More than 180,000 physicians, 1,500 hospitals and 10,000 post acute care organizations trust Allscripts to improve patient care and deliver world-class outcomes.

Congratulations to the 2011 Rx for Excellence Honorees


mamedicallaw.com

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Physicians, despite their education and rela-

tive affluence, are not very participatory in theadvocacy process. Some of this is due to under-standable, overwhelming clinical time con-straints, but I think that there are deeper, morephilosophical issues.

Physicians, who are dedicated to their patientsand a strict code of ethics, seem uncomfortablein the very grey arena of politics where compro-mise is a necessity to achieving one’s goals. Theyare also put off by the need to participate finan-cially in the election process because they areused to the scientific method and data holdingsway over personal opinion and anecdote.

Once I can get a doctor to realize how manygrey clinical decisions they make every day, andhow they need to take into account the individ-ual personalities, circumstances and desires oftheir patients when developing diagnostic andtreatment plans, they come to understand the im-perfect, personal nature of the legislative process.

Who is your role model and why?Senator Bill Frist. He’s been an effective legisla-

tor without ever sacrificing his identity as a physi-cian. He even saved a life during a tragic shootingthat occurred on the Capitol steps some years ago.Though strongly Republican, he has been able toreach out to the other side of the aisle to achievethe compromise necessary to move issues for-ward. Such statesmanship is all too lacking in ourpolarized, highly-charged, partisan environment.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Superior Court Judge. I have observed these in-

dividuals in action during the many times that Ihave participated as a physician member of med-ical malpractice tribunals. I am always impressedby their command of the courtroom and com-mitment to fairness and equality for all parties.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I am really a big softy at heart. I enjoy working

with children and the pediatric part of my ENTpractice. I’ve been one of the physicians who hasdonned the costume of “Soapy,” an oversized barof soap who travels the state teaching school chil-dren proper hand-washing techniques.

Jack KingPresidentPhysicians Insurance Agency of Massachusetts (PIAM)

“I enjoy the entrepreneurial nature of the work and our ability to help medical practices both largeand small.”

Outside/Community Activities• Theater and music• Alternative Medicine (Former Board Member,

NE School of Acupuncture)

Tell us about what you do. In 1993, I helped establish PIAM, the insur-

ance agency of the Massachusetts Medical So-ciety. We’ve helped medical practices reducerisk on many levels. In addition, we have devel-oped a strong tradition of charitable giving.

Why do you do what you do?I enjoy the entrepreneurial nature of the

work and our ability to help medical practicesboth large and small.

What is your proudest achievement?Besides my two adult sons, who are doing

well, I believe that establishing the first HR De-partment for the Medical Society and New Eng-land Journal of Medicine, and then establishing

PIAM, are my proudest professional achieve-ments. Today we get to serve thousands ofphysicians and health care professionals, andwe have been able to contribute significantly tovarious charitable causes in recent years.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Getting people to believe there is a better way.

I face the same obstacle within myself, seeing be-yond the walls that prevent all of us from some-times seeing a better path. Once I get a chance totalk to people, I can usually convince them thereare better ways of doing things. Fortunately, that’screated a lot of happy customers.

Who is your role model and why?My parents were wonderful role models, and

I also was fortunate to have a very unique un-cle. He was an electrician, and a genuinelywonderful guy, who used humor to connectwith people on a personal level and accom-plish great things. I’ve tried to remember manyof his lessons in my everyday life.


The crushing administrative burden onphysicians is driving them out of practice andmaking it more difficult to focus on patients,and that affects all of us.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I’d like to be the commissioner of football, or

own a Dairy Queen, where I would happily eatall the profits.

Gila R. Kriegel, MD Assistant Professor of MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolDirector of Quality ImprovementHealthcare Associates Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

“I believe that being a doctor means you go home every day feeling you have made a difference in people’s lives.”

Outside/Community Activities• Co-chair of the Israel Arbeiter Gallery of Un-

derstanding at the South Area SolomonSchechter School

• Community leader at Temple Israel in Sharon

Tell us about what you do. I’m a primary care physician for a diverse group

of patients in an academic medical practice. Iteach medical students, interns, residents andnurse practitioners. I direct all of the Quality Im-provement efforts for Healthcare Associates(HCA), including reviewing cases, developingguidelines, overseeing projects, working with otherdivisions and teaching QI to residents. I have devel-oped a comprehensive QI program in our practicethat has been highly successful in implementingsystems changes and disseminating information.

Why do you do what you do?I believe that being a doctor means you go

home every day feeling you have made a differ-ence in people’s lives. I love my patients andthe relationships I have made in over 25 yearsof practicing primary care. I am very fortunateto have been given the opportunity to developa QI program that stresses systems improve-ments in an open, non-punitive environment. Ilove helping other providers with issues thatarise in the care of patients that can lead to im-provements in care for all of our patients.

What is your proudest achievement?I am very proud of the overall QI program

that we have developed, as it truly encompassesall aspects of patient care and has resulted intangible improvement in the care we provide toour patients. A few recent examples include im-proving care for patients with asplenia, reducingthe number of unsatisfactory Pap smears doneby HCA providers and ensuring follow-up of 100percent of abnormal cancer screening tests.

Who is your role model and why?My father is my role model. He was a Holocaust

survivor who went to medical school in threecountries and ultimately became a pediatriciancaring for thousands of children. His office was inour home, and my two sisters and I all becamephysicians because of his powerful influence. Hisoptimistic outlook on life in spite of the tragedieshe endured and his dedication to education andexcellent care have always inspired me.


The biggest challenge facing doctors todayis to continue to provide the highest qualitymedical care to all patients while working withmore economic constraints and less time.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Although I really can’t imagine myself doing

something else, I have sometimes wondered if Ihad grown up in a different era whether I mighthave become a rabbi and led a congregation.When I grew up there were no women rabbis.In fact, until I went to medical school, I had nev-er met a female physician.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I love word games and crossword puzzles. I

am addicted to online scrabble!

Benjamin Kruskal, MD, PhDDirector of Infection Control and Travel MedicineHarvard Vanguard Medical Associates and Atrius Health

“This kind of workfeels especially worthwhile as it hasthe potential to impact much larger numbers of patients than I can treat as an individual care provider.”

Outside/Community Activities• Worked on several Massachusetts Department

of Public Health committees related to disas-ter and pandemic preparedness

• Member of the Massachusetts Medical Soci-ety’s Committees on Public Health and Pre-paredness

• Worked on an MMS ad hoc project to im-prove the appropriateness of antibiotic use

Tell us about what you do. I am involved with part-time pediatric prima-

ry care, infection control and infectious diseaseinfrastructure for Harvard Vanguard Medical As-sociates, which is a 500-physician, 400,000-pa-tient multispecialty group practice in easternMassachusetts. I work on many public healthinitiatives as well.

Why do you do what you do?My infectious disease work involves a lot of

quality improvement and patient safety, as wellas public health connections. This kind of workfeels especially worthwhile as it has the poten-tial to impact much larger numbers of patientsthan I can treat as an individual care provider.

What is your proudest achievement?Creating a pandemic plan for Harvard Van-

guard years in advance of the 2009 flu pandem-ic, and then making it operational when the ac-

tual pandemic occurred. Public health officialspraised our preparedness and our handling ofthe outbreak.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?There was initially some organizational re-

luctance to commit resources to a disaster thatmight never happen. Steadfast reminders to theoperational leadership finally convinced themthat infectious disease outbreaks including aflu pandemic were likely enough to occur thatthey deserved some advanced planning alongwith other disaster plans.

Who is your role model and why?Don Berwick, who established the Institute

for Healthcare Improvement. He developed apassion for improving the way care is deliveredearly in his career, and he has ardently pursuedthat goal for many years. He is arguably the per-son with the single greatest impact on healthcare quality and safety in the U.S. within thepast 30 years.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I have five children, ranging from eight to 21

years old. Sometimes people don’t believe mewhen I tell them that!

Joseph C. Kvedar, MDDirectorCenter for Connected Health Partners HealthCare System Inc.

“I’m deeply committed to a future where individuals are empowered and motivated to actively care for themselves.”

Outside/Community Activities• Center-established Operation Village Health,

which enables Harvard-affiliated physiciansin the Partners HealthCare System to supportCambodian health workers caring for patientsat several health centers

• Teledermatology initiative spearheaded by theAmerican Academy of Dermatology, transmit-ting high-quality digital cell phone photos tovolunteer dermatologists across the country

Tell us about what you do. The Center for Connected Health is working

to create a new model for health care deliveryby developing programs and innovative strate-gies to move care from the hospital or doctor’soffice into the day-to-day lives of patients. Wecontinue to push the boundaries of health caredelivery, leveraging information technology –cell phones, computers, networked devices andsimple remote health monitoring tools – tohelp providers and patients manage chronicconditions, maintain health and wellness andimprove adherence, engagement and clinicaloutcomes.

Why do you do what you do?I’m deeply committed to a future where indi-

viduals are empowered and motivated to ac-tively care for themselves. Technology that en-ables the collection of objective informationand the “just-in-time” communication of health-related information are powerful tools to im-prove quality, access and efficiency.

What is your proudest achievement?Our team took the concept of connected

health and translated it into a series of pro-grams that deliver real health outcomes and re-turns on investments. Some of these programshave been commercialized and others havebeen scaled in our own delivery system at Part-ners HealthCare.

Leaders in Quality




What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?The adoption of technology by both patients

and providers in a health care setting. Many pa-tients are hesitant or unwilling to use technologyand may find some devices complex and difficultto use. At the same time, many providers favor so-lutions involving human resources rather thanthe application of technology and automation.

Who is your role model and why?Jack Connors, the Chairman of Partners

Healthcare, is a role model because of his re-lentless optimism for the possibilities one canachieve, and for his ability to think big.


We don’t have enough healthcare providersto meet the ever-increasing demand for ser-vices that exists today. In addition, for mosthealth care organizations, human resourcesrepresent between 60 to 70 percent of costs.The overwhelming sense of providers and pa-tients is that human beings are required to doeverything in health care. If we’re going to solvethe problem and keep the quality of care high,we have to show them a different way, and usetechnology to substitute for some tasks wherewe now use humans.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?That I’m actually a very good cook!

Eugene Lindsey, MDPresident and CEOAtrius Health

“I care deeply about being part of something that really makes a difference.”

Outside/Community Activities• Director, Guthrie Clinic Board of Trustees• Member, Special Commission on Provider

Payment Reform

Tell us about what you do. I’ve been president and CEO of Atrius Health

and Harvard Vanguard Medical Associatessince February 2008. I have been an internistand cardiologist for 35 years. Atrius Health is analliance of five community-based medicalgroups committed to making it easy for pa-tients to be healthier. The nonprofit organiza-tion was created to enable collaboration onnew and better ways of delivering care whilemaintaining an emphasis on care for the localcommunity. Atrius Health represents over 800physicians and over 1,250 other health profes-sionals, serving nearly 700,000 patients through-out eastern Massachusetts.

Why do you do what you do?I care deeply about being part of something

that really makes a difference.

What is your proudest achievement?The moment when I was most proud was in

2005 when The Boston Globe reported from theMassachusetts Health Quality Partners data thatHarvard Vanguard Medical Associates was theleader in quality in Massachusetts. This was anundeniable validation of the work that my manycolleagues and I had been doing for many years.

Who is your role model and why?My role model as a physician leader was Dr.

Paul Solomon, a former leader of Harvard Com-munity Health Plan. He brought an amazing sen-sitivity to issues related to helping physicians un-derstand the need to be truly patient-oriented.


Doctors and the health care industry need torecognize that health care is about the patient –not about those of us who provide the care.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I have a goal of hiking the John Muir trail,

which runs 180 miles from Yosemite NationalPark to the top of Mount Whitney.

Juan F. LoperaDirector of Contracting Strategy & AnalyticsTufts Health Plan

“My passion formy work in health care stems from theindustry’s core mission of providing care and wellness to the community, but doing it in a way that strives for quality, access and affordability.”

Outside/Community Activites• EVP of ALPFA Boston (Latino association for

business professionals and students)• Founder of ALPFA Healthcare

Tell us about what you do. My work in health care, from my consulting days

at Deloitte Consulting to my time at Blue Cross BlueShield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to my currentrole at Tufts Health Plan (THP), has been focusedon improving the health care system to bring abouthigher value, efficiency, quality and affordability.

My work at Deloitte focused on operationalexcellence – working with large health careclients throughout the country to improve inter-nal processes that resulted in lower administra-tive cost to the healthcare system. My work atBCBSMA was highlighted by my leadership inthe design and development of the AlternativeQuality Contract which is revolutionizing theway hospitals and doctors are reimbursed bytransitioning to a system that pays for efficiency,care integration and quality.

My current work at THP builds on prior ex-periences to provide leadership in transform-ing the system to one that provides the highestoverall value to THP customers. In my currentrole, I develop strategies to confront today’shealth care challenges, manage the implemen-tation of regulatory changes related to paymentreform and oversee financial modeling for thenegotiation of hospital and physician contracts.

Why do you do what you do?From an early stage in my career I found a

strong interest in the operations and finances ofhealth care – an interest that was well-alignedwith my educational background in business, fi-nance and information systems. My passion formy work in health care stems from the industry’score mission of providing care and wellness tothe community, but doing it in a way that strivesfor quality, access and affordability.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievement to date has been

the foundation of ALPFA Healthcare, which hascreated a platform for Latino health care pro-fessionals to expand business knowledge, lead-ership skills and professional networks, leverag-ing the country’s premier Latino non-profit pro-fessional organization, ALPFA.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?My experience as an immigrant from Colom-

bia in the 1990s, with what seemed like verylimited opportunities due to my immigrationstatus. I somehow made it through college with

an academic scholarship and advanced myprofessional career despite what seemed likeinsurmountable challenges.

Who is your role model and why?My father has been my biggest role model.

He paved the way by being the first to migrateto an unknown land away from his family. Hearrived in 1989 and soon after was able to bringthe rest of the family to Boston. Without hiscourage to leave everything behind, I wouldnot have had the opportunities I have today.


The expectations of all of us as consumers ofhealth care. We have a system facing significantchallenges in trying to improve efficiency, quali-ty and affordability. While there are a number ofinitiatives at the national and regional level toreform the system across these fronts, we asconsumers do not want to restrict our choicesfor the care we demand. Reforming the systemwill require careful redesign by doctors thattakes into account the overall value of care pro-vided, defined as higher quality at lower costs.

Changes to the way care is paid for (awayfrom fee-for-service and toward fee-for-value)will mean that doctors will need to make diffi-cult decisions about the most clinically appro-priate and cost-effective care to provide.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I’m an avid cyclist involved in various charity

rides including the Rhode Island and New YorkCity Multiple Sclerosis rides. I’m also a BikramYoga fanatic.

Joseph C. Maher, Jr., Esq.Executive Vice President and General CounselSteward Health Care System

Before joining Stew-ard Health Care Sys-tem, Joseph C. Maher,Jr., served as the part-ner–in-charge of theBoston office of Ed-wards Angell Palmer &Dodge, and chaired thefirm’s health care prac-tice.

In addition, Maherchaired the governmental affairs practice atboth Foley Hoag and Edwards Angell. Hehas also served as an executive vice presi-dent and chief legal officer of a major re-gional health care group-purchasing compa-ny doing business in New England and theMiddle East.

Maher has been involved in many of the re-gion’s largest hospital merger transactions andhas been active in the creation of many hospi-tal-physician ventures. As vice-chairman of theUniversity Hospital board of trustees, Maherwas instrumental in creating Boston MedicalCenter. He also was instrumental, as a boardmember, in merging Brigham and Women’sHospital and Faulkner Hospital. Maher is anhonors graduate of Boston College and re-ceived his law degree from Boston College LawSchool.

Leaders in Quality


Kris MastrangeloPresident and CEOHarmony Healthcare International, Inc.

“I feel that by supporting these long-term care facilities in their efforts to maintainviability, I am ensuring the availability of beds in quality health carefacilities for those in need.”

Outside/Community Activities• Youth travel basketball coach

Tell us about what you do. We assist long-term care facilities in provid-

ing the best possible care to their residents. Wealso audit patient medical records to ensureproper reimbursement for services renderedand help insulate their revenue by providingMedicare training, as well as assist on all levelsof compliance training.

Why do you do what you do?I started my career as an occupational thera-

pist, where I formed a strong bond with the el-derly. I feel that by supporting these long-termcare facilities in their efforts to maintain viabili-ty, I am ensuring the availability of beds in quali-ty health care facilities for those in need.

What is your proudest achievement?I’m proud of my ability to start a company

and family, and work hard to see both grow andprosper. Demonstrating to my daughters thatyou can be a successful businesswoman and amom is probably what I am most proud of. Theysee firsthand that women’s voices are beingheard louder than ever.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Proving to clients early on that you can pro-

vide top quality care and increase your rev-enue at the same time. Up until I started Harmo-ny SNF, owners were bombarded with compa-nies that promised large monetary gains withthe focus being mainly on the dollar and notthe patient. As my heart has always been withthe patient from my early days as a therapist,that quickly started to take hold and Harmonybegan to flourish.

Who is your role model and why?Dr. W. Edward Deming. He was regarded by

many as the leading quality guru in the U.S.While his expertise in quality was prevalent inthe manufacturing sector, his teachings aboutfocusing on quality first transcended many in-dustries, including health care.


The heavy burden placed on all facets of thehealth care industry by the insurance industryis a tremendous handicap to those who wantto offer quality care. The regulations imposedare primarily cost driven with substantial disre-gard for the wellbeing of patients.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?While I have been fortunate enough to gar-

ner a good reputation as a public speaker, myvery first attempt in front of an audiencecaused me to freeze like a deer caught inheadlights!

Stuart Novick, Esq.Senior Vice President and General CounselChildren’s Hospital Boston

Stuart Novick, also known as “Skip,” is the Se-nior Vice President and General Counsel atChildren’s Hospital Boston, one of the largestpediatric medical centers in the U.S. with ap-proximately 25,600 inpatient admissions and25,800 surgical procedures performed everyyear.

Novick’s “unique efforts have helped ad-vance safety, quality and mitigation of risk formany pediatric patients and their families andfor the health care providers working through-out the Children’s Hospital Boston network,”said one of Novick’s colleagues. “He has an in-credible ability to balance the safety and quali-ty needs of the patients and their families withthose of very skilled and committed healthproviders working within a complex academichealth care system.” The colleague also praised“his impact on and leadership of quality andsafety” at the hospital.

Novick is also part of the Senior ClinicalLeadership Committee, a weekly forum of thehospital’s leaders for the discussion of specificquality and safety issues.

“Skip provides mentorship to other qualityand safety leaders within the organization andis caring and compassionate when interactingwith individuals who have experienced a seri-ous complication or event,” his colleague con-tinued. “He has fostered a just environment andindividuals feel comfortable seeking his adviceand counsel.”

Terrence A. O’Malley, MD Medical Director, Non-Acute Care ServicesPartners HealthCare System, Inc.

“I believe that we all have an obligation to make things better than we find them.”

Outside/Community Activities • Teaching golf

Tell us about what you do. I am a geriatrician and spend most of my

time seeing patients in skilled nursing facilities.Most of my practice has been spent providing,improving and teaching about the care of pa-tients in post acute care settings with particularemphasis on transitions of care from one set-ting to another.

I spend approximately 50 percent of my timeteaching medical residents and students andthe remainder on quality improvement pro-jects. I have developed and co-chaired the Part-ners Clinical Transitions Project since 2002. Thiswork has not only improved the quality of carewithin Partners, but has also served as an essen-tial component of the Joint Commission Centerfor Transforming Health Care project to im-prove hand-off communication and the Univer-sity Health Systems Consortium project onhand-offs.

Within Massachusetts, I have been a major

contributor to the Clinical Transitions Forumand serve on the steering committee that over-sees several important state-wide projects to im-prove patient safety, including STAAR (State Ac-tions to Avoid Readmissions) and INTERACT(Interventions to Reduce Post Acute Care Trans-fers). I am one of the content experts and over-see the evaluation of IMPACT (Improving Mass-achusetts Post-Acute Care Transitions), a feder-ally funded project to standardize the transferof information at the time of a clinical transi-tion and transmit it via an electronic health in-formation exchange.

In my role as Medical Director for Non-AcuteCare Services at Partners, I work with multiplegroups on readmission reduction with an em-phasis on innovative models of care and im-proved transitions of care.

Why do you do what you do?I believe that we all have an obligation to

make things better than we find them. I’m ex-tremely fortunate to have been given an oppor-tunity to contribute to improved patient careand I enjoy the challenge.

What is your proudest achievement?Being a physician my patients can rely on.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Making a convincing case for improving

clinical transitions at a time when there was lit-tle attention being paid to transitions.


The mismatch between the value of servicesprovided to patients and society and how thoseservices are reimbursed.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?To be an architect.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I’m a “handyman” and enjoy working with

my hands.

Stancel Riley, MD Executive DirectorMassachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine

“I have a passion for quality and patient safety andview the board as a force for meaningful change.”

Outside/Community Activities • Health Care for All • Quality Council Massachusetts• Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors

Tell us about what you do.As the executive director of the Board of

Medicine, patient safety has become the drivingforce behind everything we do. I’m proud ofour team effort in patient care, which involveslicensing, quality and patient safety, reportingand discipline.

Why do you do what you do?I have a passion for quality and patient safe-

ty and view the board as a force for meaningfulchange.

What is your proudest achievement?Being the executive director and having

such a wonderful team of professionals towork with.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Culture change in the perception of the

board. It takes a long time and I’m fairly impa-tient.

Who is your role model and why’?Lucina Leape. He awakened the country to

medical errors and pioneered the way for non-punitive reporting of medical errors.


Maintaining quality outcomes while control-ling costs.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I think I have it now.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I love the west, particularly Montana.

Dana Gelb Safran, ScDSenior Vice President of Performance Measurementand ImprovementBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

“I am committed to realizing the vision of safe, affordable and effective patient-centered care.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board and executive committee of my syna-

gogue

Tell us about what you do. The first part of my career was spent devel-

oping and validating quality measures, with afocus on measures of doctor-patient interactionquality. I pioneered a measurement approachthat has been adopted as a national standardfor evaluating patient care experiences withprimary care physicians.

The second part of my career has been fo-cused on implementing programs to improvequality through performance measurement,reporting and incentives. The programsthrough which I have done this at BCBSMAhave influenced both local and national per-formance measurement and improvementinitiatives.

Why do you do what you do?I am committed to realizing the vision of

safe, affordable and effective patient-centeredcare. I believe deeply in our ability to accom-plish this through respectful engagement ofclinicians with the right information, incentivesand an approach that engenders trust and callsforward the best from each individual. I believethat health care spending and spending growthare social justice issues – cannibalizing ourability to invest in our schools, communitiesand other vital social interests.

What is your proudest achievement?Helping to make patient-centered care a

real-world concept in health care, and one forwhich there is accountability because of theability to measure, monitor and improve. Mycontribution to measures that address patient-centered care and my role in helping thosemeasures to become broadly adopted locallyand nationally are my proudest professionalachievements.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?My height! People often make assumptions

from appearances that small stature means be-ing young, junior or unsubstantial.

Leaders in Quality



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Who is your role model and why? My daughter, Ali, 19. She never gives up, al-

ways tells it straight and is an unshakable advo-cate for justice.


Keeping relationality and humanism at thecenter of care. Everything works against it. Train-ing generally deemphasizes and often delegit-imizes these skills, and the strain of the practiceenvironment amidst economic pressures andchanges to delivery systems make it exceeding-ly difficult.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?International public health program devel-

opment and on-the-ground implementation, fo-cused on maternal and child health.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I worked on a dude ranch in Colorado dur-

ing the summer between my freshman andsophomore year of college.

Christine C. Schuster, RN, MBAPresident and CEOEmerson Hospital

“My proudest achievement is my ongoing commitment to quality and patientsafety.”

Outside/Community Activities• Massachusetts Council of Community Hospi-

tals Board Member• American Hospital Association Metropolitan

Regional Council, Former Board Chair andMember

• Mass. Health Education & Financing AuthorityMember

• Mass. Hospital Association, Standing Commit-tee on Finance, Political Action

Tell us about what you do. I have served as a hospital chief executive for

over 13 years. I am responsible for the overallstrategy, finance, operations and quality of a $180million enterprise with nine locations. In mythree CEO roles in community hospitals, I havebeen instrumental in stabilizing each hospitaland dramatically improving the finance, quality,safety and patient outcomes. I work collaborative-ly with the board, executive team, employees andphysicians to create a culture of teamwork andfocus on improving the patient experience.

As president and CEO of Emerson Hospital, Iam responsible for setting the strategic direc-tion of the hospital in conjunction with theBoard of Directors. Then, it is my responsibilityto work with my team to implement the strate-gic plan. This requires collaboration with multi-ple key stakeholders and much communica-tion while we execute our plans. The results re-quire careful monitoring and adjustments toget the expected outcomes.

What is your proudest achievement?My proudest achievement is my ongoing

commitment to quality and patient safety. As anRN, I have always placed the patient at the cen-ter of all I do.

At Emerson, I am proud to have brought a cul-ture of quality and patient safety to the hospital.

We now have regular quality and patient safetyrounds with our staff which includes our Boardmembers. Quality and safety results are regularlyshared with the employees and medical staff.

Last year, the Board, physicians and adminis-tration set a system-level aim to reduce select-ed hospital acquired infections (HAI) by 50percent. After a year, we beat our goals by re-ducing selected HAIs by 62 percent. We also im-plemented an annual Physician Quality Awardrecognizing physicians whose practices focuson improving quality outcomes.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Learning to work with people who don’t

want to change. It is a challenge to communi-cate why the change is necessary and to help


Leaders in Quality

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them work through it.

Who is your role model and why’?Ellen Zane, the president and CEO of Tufts

Medical Center. She is an amazing woman withdrive, determination and the courage of herconvictions. She has an incredible work ethicand has made a positive difference for womenin the health care field.


The fast-paced changes that are occurring inthe health care marketplace generated byhealth care reform. Working together in a cre-ative fashion is necessary for us all to be suc-cessful in this new world order.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I am an avid gardener. I love to create a

garden design then buy the plants and getthem into the dirt. I just completed a colorfuland creative “fairy garden” with my 8-year-olddaughter. We are both very proud of our ef-forts!

Glen ShorExecutive DirectorCommonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority

“I enjoy working with public-spiritedpeople to bring health insurance within the reach of the residents ofMassachusetts.”

Outside/Community Activities • Yale Alumni Association

Tell us about what you do.The Health Connector operates a health in-

surance exchange that facilitates coverage forabout 215,000 people, over half of the newly in-sured in Massachusetts since 2006.

Why do you do what you do? I enjoy working with public-spirited people

to bring health insurance within the reach ofthe residents of Massachusetts. Having accessto health insurance helps keep people healthyand protects those who become sick.

What is your proudest achievement? Being appointed Executive Director of the

Health Connector at a time when nationalhealth care reform is front and center andhaving Massachusetts health care reformserve as the model for national health care re-form.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? Developing with other stakeholders cost-

containment strategies and looking for newmodels for financing health care.

Who is your role model and why? I do not have one particular role model. I am

constantly meeting people with traits and ac-complishments that I try to work into my life(professionally and socially).


Integrating cost containment into the deliv-ery of service.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?General Manager of the NY Jets.

What is one thing people don’t know about you? That I like to cook.

Carol M. Smith, RN Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Executive Vice PresidentCooley Dickinson Hospital

My proudest achievement has been “building collaborative teamsat all levels of theorganization.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board of Directors at Florence Savings Bank• Aone Mone Sigma Theta Tau• Methodist Church

Tell us about what you do. I am the chief operating officer and chief nurs-

ing officer. We are focused on giving the workback to the staff with the belief that they knowbest how to get it done. We implemented ClinicalMicrosystems throughout our facility and havepresented our story at the annual meeting of theInstitute for Healthcare Improvement. The hospi-tal has received the HealthGrades award for Pa-tient Safety Excellence three years in a row.

Why do you do what you do?To help people save lives, give hope and give

futures.

What is your proudest achievement?Building collaborative teams at all levels of

the organization.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Resistance to change.

Who is your role model and why?Our CEO Craig Melin, because of his never-

ending dedication to quality patient care andhis leadership in this area.


Making the transition from the fee-for-servicemodel to population health.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I love to fish.

Awarded withTammy Cole-Poklewski, RN, MSDirector of Quality, Patient Safety and Care ManagementCooley Dickinson Hospital

“I think the biggestchallenge facing health care providersand the health care industry today is thereluctance to continually makesmall changes that accumulate and resultin massively improved processes.”

Outside/Community Activities• Assist with gathering supplies for local animal

shelters.

Tell us about what you do. I have implemented changes in the nursing

care management model at Cooley DickinsonHospital. The changes assist patients in developingskills to better self-manage their chronic illnesses.

Why do you do what you do?To improve the health of the community by

providing basic skills patients need to bettermanage their chronic diseases.

What is your proudest achievement?

Working with the front-line staff to implementchanges that result in the patients having improvedabilities to self-manage their disease processes.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?The biggest obstacles I had to overcome

were growing up poor, figuring out how to go tocollege while working full time and findingwork where I could make a difference.

Who is your role model and why’?My role model was a nursing supervisor I

worked for many years ago. I was uncertainwhere my boundaries were and I asked her forclarification. She told me to keep going andpush the boundaries until she told me to stop. Icontinued to work for her for the next threeyears and she never told me I went too far. Itwas through this process that I learned that Ihad no boundaries and I continue to push todo what others might think is out of their reach.

What do you consider the biggest challenge facing doctors andthe health care industry today?

I think the biggest challenge facing health careproviders and the health care industry today is the re-luctance to continually make small changes that ac-cumulate and result in massively improved processes.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I grew up on a dairy farm, and I would like to

restore and drive an old pickup truck with myhusband, David.

Deborah W. Wachenheim Health Quality ManagerHealth Care For All

“I have been drivenin my current workby the stories I hearfrom volunteers andothers, including some personal experiences that havedemonstrated how care can be better ”

Outside/Community Activites• Board member of my daughter’s preschool.

Tell us about what you do.I oversee the health care quality work at

Health Care For All, a statewide consumerhealth quality organization. I work with a groupof volunteers, the Consumer Health QualityCouncil, many of whom have been impactedby poor-quality care and want to advocate forimprovements in care in Massachusetts.

Why do you do what you do?I have always been interested in health poli-

cy and have wanted to help improve accessand quality of care. I have been driven in mycurrent work by the stories I hear from volun-teers and others, including some personal ex-periences that have demonstrated how carecan be better and why it needs to be improved.

What is your proudest achievement?The Consumer Council and Health Care For

All successfully advocated for legislation to im-prove quality, transparency and patient-providercommunication and relationships. Thanks tothis work there is now mandatory public report-ing of infections and serious events in Massa-chusetts, nonpayment for care needed follow-ing a preventable serious event, and Patient andFamily Advisory Councils and Rapid ResponseMethods in every hospital in the state.

Who is you role model and why?My mom. She never doubted that I could do

anything I wanted to do and she was there to sup-port me at all times. She was someone who never

gave up when she had a goal, no matter how diffi-cult the path may have been, and she was alwaysaware of others’ needs and sought to help themout. Now that I am a mother, I also realize what agreat role model she was for me as a parent.


From the patient perspective, we recognize thatmany doctors are not trained to communicate wellwith patients and families and to make them partnersin their care. We would like to see that changed so thatproviders learn how to work well with patients andfamilies and take their needs and concerns into ac-count as they make decisions about their care.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I love singing and dancing, though I am not par-

ticularly good at either one. So I guess if this were adream job, I would be a really good singer and/ordancer and would be doing work involving thoseactivities! On a more serious note, I would love tobe a journalist for the New York Times.

Representative Steven M. Walsh House Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care FinancingMassachusetts House of Representatives

“Progress in this country that has helped people or made advances in the quality of American life hasbeen the result of public policy. I felt that I could contribute.”

Outside/Community Activities• Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lynn Arts, Inc.• Adjunct faculty member of North Shore Com-

munity College’s Public Policy Institute • Member of Ancient Order of Hibernians• Lynn Democratic City Committee• Democratic State Committee• Association of New England Football Officials

Tell us about what you do.As a the House Chair of the Joint Committee

on Health Care Financing, I review every billfiled by the legislature related to the funding ofhealth care programs, Medicaid and healthcare public assistance, and any fiscal matter re-lated to health care policy. This session, we arefocused on passing legislation to control Mass-achusetts’ rising health care costs.

Why do you do what you do?Progress in this country that has helped peo-

ple or made advances in the quality of Ameri-can life has been the result of public policy. Ifelt that I could contribute.

What is your proudest achievement?My three beautiful children are my greatest

achievements.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?A lack of patience.

Who is your role model and why’?My father, because he is a gentleman.


The biggest challenge is continuing to en-sure that physicians are providing the highestquality of medical care, while developing a coststructure that is sustainable.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Offensive tackle for the New England Patriots.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?At first glance, you’d never know I ran two

Boston Marathons.

Leaders in Quality



Susan Windham-Bannister, PhDPresident and CEOMassachusetts Life Sciences Center

“Work in the life sciences truly is a way to have a successful andfulfilling career.”

Outside/Community Activities• Board of Directors, Tufts Health Plan• Chair, Finance Committee Board of Directors,

Boston Ballet Links Inc. (national service or-ganization of African-American women)

• Chair, Committee on Services to Youth Ros-alind Franklin Society, Board of Advisors

Tell us about what you do. The Life Sciences Center is the hub for Massa-

chusetts’ thriving life sciences super-cluster inbiotechnology, pharmaceuticals, bio informatics,medical devices and medical diagnostics. Wealso are the agency charged with implementingMassachusetts’ 10-year, $1 billion life sciences ini-tiative. To date the center has invested $216 mil-lion in public funds, leveraging more than $700million in outside investment, and helping to cre-ate a projected 7,000 new jobs.

We offer a portfolio of programs that are de-signed to promote innovation, encourage in-

dustry-academic research collaborations, fundeducational and workforce development pro-grams, invest in promising early stage compa-nies, provide incentives for job creation, and up-grade infrastructure across the commonwealth.

The center has provided stipends to nearly 500young people for internships in life sciences com-panies – the intent being to develop the pipelineof “next generation” life sciences workers.

Why do you do what you do?Work in the life sciences truly is a way to have

a successful and fulfilling career. The life sciencesmake major economic contributions, and aresome of the innovation sectors that PresidentBarack Obama and Governor Deval Patrick havecited as driving the economy of the future. Themission of life sciences is to provide better thera-pies, treatments and ultimately, cures for diseasesthat impact quality of life around the world.

What is your proudest achievement?Starting the Life Sciences Initiative from

scratch. When I was hired in July 2008, the initia-tive was a piece of legislation and a vision bythe governor. I have staffed it, built the organiza-tion, set the strategy and hired a fantastic team.Our visibility and impact in just three yearsmakes me very proud.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Being a woman and a person of color in a

field that traditionally has been dominated bywhite men.


Ways to balance access to high quality care

with the cost of high quality care. We are proudthat the Life Sciences Center is investing inpromising new technology that will improvequality of life as well as reduce costs.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?I would like to be a pop superstar.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?That I play the harpsichord and have one in

my living room!

Lynda M. Young, MD President, Massachusetts Medical SocietyChief of Division of Community PediatricsUMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center

“Providing preventivecare to children is incredibly rewarding. Watching both children and their parents grow over theyears is enjoyableand educational.”

Outside/Community Activities • Board member of the Health Foundation of

Central Mass, International Center of Worcester• Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UMass Med-

ical School

Tell us about what you do. I have practiced general pediatrics for 34 years

in Worcester. My practice is a small, independentone that my husband and I built up to be one ofthe more respected groups in our area.

Why do you do what you do?Providing preventive care to children is in-

credibly rewarding. Watching both children andtheir parents grow over the years is enjoyableand educational.

What is your proudest achievement?There are several – becoming a physician,

becoming a wife and mother and becoming anofficer in our state medical society.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?Surviving the multiple challenges to small

private practices, especially now with healthcare reform. Also, balancing professional andpersonal time over the years.


Improving the quality of care to our patients andbeing mindful of the cost of delivering this care.

What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?Being able to spend as much time as I want-

ed with patients and their families and havingtime to teach students in the office without get-ting woefully behind schedule.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?I love to cook and read silly novels with no

redeeming qualities.


www.emersonhospital.org

we are proud to congratulate

Chris Schuster President and CEO

For excelling in risk management, quality and patient safety.Leaders. Healers. Visionaries.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is proud to join the Massachusetts Medical Law Report in

recognizing Dana Safran and other 2011 Rx for Excellence honorees.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Leaders in Quality

For more information, please visit www.coverys.com.

From all of us at Coverys, congratulations to the2011 Rx for Excellence Awards recipients!

Congratulations!As the Platinum Sponsor of this year’s event, Coverys (formerly ProMutual Group) and its member companies congratulate all the winners of the Rx for Excellence Awards.

We are also very proud to congratulate the Chairman of our Board of Directors Dr. Kenneth Heisler, FACS, as well as our President and CEO Richard Brewer, honored together as Leaders in Quality!

As Leaders in Quality, Dr. Heisler and Mr. Brewer have led a responsive Board of Directors and Corporate Management team balanced between physician commitment and insurance expertise. Dedicated to helping healthcare providers reduce their risk of claim and loss, the Coverys leadership and risk management teams have developed a variety of programs to help policyholders improve their practice.

Dr. Heisler has guided the Board, a majority of which is comprised of practicing and retired physicians, for the past four years. He has played a pivotal role in the strategic

planning and expansion of the company, and has supported efforts that help Coverys understand how healthcare reform may affect policyholders. Dr. Heisler has been a member of the Board since 1992, having served as the Board’s vice chairman and secretary, and as chairman of the company’s Investment Committee prior to his current position.

Under Mr. Brewer’s leadership, the company has grown to reach more than 20,000 physicians and other healthcare providers as well as nearly 500 hospitals across the country. Mr. Brewer will retire on December 31, 2011, at which point he will have served in his current role for 11 years.

Coverys member companies and their predecessors have been providing coverage and protection to healthcare providers for more than three decades. Coverys has a risk management field staff comprised of registered nurses and has experienced defense counsel who work to aggressively defend healthcare providers.

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