Clinicians Honored
UI Health Care Media Relations
October 2011
Pictured left to right: Rachel Maassen, MD; Richard Smith, MD; Julia Klesney-Tait, MD, PhD; Patrick Brophy, MD; Jeffrey Segar, MD; Frank Mitros, MD; Marlan Hansen, MD
The first-ever University of Iowa Physicians (UIP) Clinical Awards were presented October 17 at the group's annual meeting. UIP is composed of the 700-plus staff physicians who provide care at UI Hospitals and Clinics.
Earlier this year, the group established the awards to honor clinical excellence among their members. Nominations are accepted annually from any UIP member or participant and evaluated by the UIP Clinical Awards Committee.
Innovations in Clinical Care Award
This award is given to an individual or team for implementation of an innovative new program or process that improves service to patients.
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This year's recipient:
Patrick Brophy, MD, Pediatrics
Dr. Patrick Brophy’s leadership and
creativity have led to a resurgence of
pediatric nephrology at University of
Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and his
efforts have resulted in the development
of a re-energized pediatric inpatient and
outpatient dialysis program, as well
as the pediatric renal transplantation
program. Dr. Brophy and his team
dedicate themselves every day to meeting
the needs of pediatric patients with
acute and chronic renal failure.
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Excellence in Quality Award
This award is given to an individual or team
in recognition of outstanding quality of care
provided to patients. Recipients will have
demonstrated excellence in reportable
measures of quality, benchmarked patient
outcomes, or improvements in internally
measured outcomes.
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This year's individual recipient: Julia Klesney-Tait, MD, PhD,
Internal Medicine
Dr. Julia Klesney-Tait has been
instrumental in the development of the
lung transplant program at University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Currently,
the program is CMS-certified and has one
of the shortest lengths-of-stay following
lung transplantation in the country.
The one-year and three-year survival
rates are among the nation’s top five
programs. Dr. Klesney-Tait has
demonstrated excellence in clinical
and administrative areas, including
programmatic development, with
outstanding outcomes.
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This year's team recipient: Division of Neonatology, award accepted by Jeffrey Segar, MD, Pediatrics
The quality of care provided in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at
UI Hospitals and Clinics is unsurpassed.
For the second time, the NICU was selected
to be part of the Neonatal Research Network
of the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development, which is comprised
of 18 leading NICUs throughout the country.
For the past four years, the unit’s mortality
rate is half that of the NICU next in the
ratings, and, when benchmarked against
the Vermont Oxford Database for like
units, the UI NICU morbidity rates are
also consistently low. The Division of
Neonatology has been a leader not only
within the UI Children’s Hospital but
within UI Hospitals and Clinics.
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Excellence in Our Workplace Award
This award is given to a medical
director, whose leadership and
innovation demonstrably improves
the “practice life” and satisfaction of
providers in the delivery of clinical care.
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This year's recipient:
Rachel Maassen, MD,
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Rachel Maassen is being recognized as
an outstanding clinician and director of
the UI Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic.
Her leadership efforts have ensured that the
clinic is efficient and profitable, and that
the experiences of the patients and care
providers are also positive. Additionally,
Dr. Maassen is cited for being a remarkable
mentor, teacher, role model, and patient
advocate.
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Patient Satisfaction and Service
Excellence Award
This award is given to an individual or
team in recognition of outstanding patient
satisfaction. Metrics can include Press
Ganey Satisfaction Score, most improved
score, and/or other patient feedback.
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This year's recipient: Marlan Hansen, MD,
Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Marlan Hansen is a highly skilled and
hardworking physician and surgeon who
is always eager to help others, especially
his patients. Watching him in the OR is
similar to watching the delicate fingerings
of a virtuoso violinist, as he dissects tumor
from cranial nerves. Dr. Hansen’s patience,
teaching, and dedication to his patients
make him an excellent model for future
academic physicians.
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Best Consulting Provider Award
This award is given to an individual in
recognition of his or her outstanding
consulting or specialized services to
the inpatient and ambulatory patients
of UI Health Care.
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This year's recipient:
Frank Mitros, MD, Pathology
Dr. Frank Mitros has worked at
UI Hospitals and Clinics for over
30 years, and in that time has served
as the “ultimate” consultant to his
colleagues. Among his many attributes
is his willingness to consult when he’s
not “on call,” whether it’s after hours
or on the weekends. Dr. Mitros’s
knowledge, dedication to patients,
willingness to go the extra mile, and
ability to educate place him in the
most elite category.
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Clinician of the Year Award
This award is given to a clinician who
most embodies those aspects of a truly
great patient service provider, including
technical skill, humanism to patients and
families, collaboration with colleagues,
and advocacy.
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This year's recipient: Richard Smith, MD,
Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Richard Smith sees about 40
pediatric patients a day, with needs
ranging from routine to the most
complex. And regardless of the
patient’s circumstances, he always
works to soothe the apprehension
of the child and his or her family.
Dr. Smith’s vast experience and
knowledge enable him to provide
excellent care efficiently, all the while
tending to the needs of the patient
and family.
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