Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Acquiring expertise in Basic Science and Clinical Science has been the hallmark of medical education for decades. Professional success for the physician, however, can be augmented by an understanding of Health Systems Science.

The Distinction in Quality and Leadership offered to interns, residents, and fellows at  Albany Medical College and is awarded to the recipient at the time of completion of their Graduate Medical Education Training Program.

The distinction is achieved by completing a rigorous curriculum that has five components.

It is designed to engage the house officer with hands-on real-time training that hones their skills of communication, systems-based practice, and interprofessional teamwork. The house officer learns the principles of Lean Leadership through role-playing and active interdisciplinary and interprofessional problem-solving.

Graduates of our programs that have achieved the Distinction have noted that the skills they developed were highly regarded by fellowship programs, medical staffs, and private medical practices.

What our residents say about the program:

Dr. Shannon Murawski, Internal Medicine Alumni Class of 2019
"Through the DQL, I gained a better understanding of QI and LEAN and how we can apply these principles to improve the way we work. This program allowed us to work closely with residents across specialties and exposed us to resources at Albany Medical Center that support our work while facilitating further QI research."

Dr. Laura Donnelly, PGY 4- Urology
"As physicians we act as leaders throughout our careers. The Distinction in Quality and Leadership program allows me to pursue additional training that will prepare me for this, while providing opportunities to improve the quality of care our patients receive."