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IHQI’s 5th Annual Improvement Scholars Symposium was held on September 19, 2019, in Old Clinic Auditorium. Six Improvement Scholars and two Improvement Fellows presented the results of their quality improvement projects that began last fall, and a poster reception followed. Laura Brown, IHQI Executive Director, kicked off the program by introducing the IHQI Associate Directors, who mentored each of the scholars. The presentations included:

Addressing Food Insecurity in Hospitalized Patients

Amir Barzin, DO, MS

Jennifer Wills, RD, LDN

Early Sepsis Recognition and Intervention in Critical Care Transport

Francis Castiller, MD

Dameion Rutherford, RN, CFRN, NREMT-P

Gastrointestinal Surgery Readmission Reduction

Nicole Chaumont, MD

Stephanie Lumpkin, MD

Geriatric Bone Health

Meredith Gilliam, MD, MPH

Opioid Stewardship in Obstetrics

Christine McKenzie, MD

Lacey Straube, MD

Reach Out and Read in UNC’s Newborn Critical Care Center

Erin Orth, MD

Preventing Nephrotoxic Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Children

Will Stoudemire, MD

Antibiotic Time-Outs

Zach Willis, MD, MPH

Audience members appreciated the succinct, intriguing presentations that covered a wide variety of topics. “The ‘Ted’ style talks were engaging and helped relay high-level lessons learned without being overly detailed.” Perhaps the most complimentary feedback took note of the scholars themselves: “I wish my service had someone to lead that kind of change.” Developing and mentoring clinical improvement leaders is IHQI’s mission, and we are delighted to have worked alongside this year’s scholars.

View the video recording.

Picture of IHQI team with this year’s scholars: