Gift Establishes Distinguished Chair in Leadership and Clinical Transformation
In 1964, Harriett and Tinkham Veale established the Veale Foundation to help improve the quality of life for residents in and around Northeast Ohio. To further that commitment, the foundation made a gift to establish the Veale Distinguished Chair in Leadership and Clinical Transformation at University Hospitals in support of a UH leader dedicated to innovation and the positive transformation of the health care industry.
The inaugural Veale Distinguished Chair is Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM, UH Chief Quality and Clinical Transformation Officer. A world-renowned patient safety champion, Dr. Pronovost is an acclaimed innovator, critical care physician, researcher, entrepreneur and global thought leader. The new endowed position will support his work to improve value by reducing costs, enhancing quality and eliminating waste.
“I was overwhelmed when I heard the Veale Foundation would be establishing this position,” Dr. Pronovost said. “This area of value in clinical transformation is so important, but it’s not related to a specific disease or condition. Tink Veale had such a passion for solving big problems, so it’s an honor for me to be a part of his legacy.”
Maximizing Value for All
Dr. Pronovost plans to use funding from the position to better define the problems that are facing UH and health care systems around the country and then test solutions. “Too often we focus on developing a shiny app without being clear about what problems they are going to solve. What we are going to do is find these problems, prototype the solutions and find value.”
He added that while hospitals do perform miracles, one in four patients are still harmed while hospitalized. Furthermore, he said, at least 33 percent of health care expenditures are not necessary, which adds up to more than $1.4 trillion in the U.S. every year. As a result, many health care systems are operating at a loss.
“Our strategy across UH is to maximize value for all and this gift allows us to build the infrastructure so we can move forward, faster. This will not only improve the quality and care experience for our patients, but also reduce the waste and unnecessary costs that often come with health care.”