National Patient Safety Foundation Announces Leadership Transition

BOSTON, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) has announced that Diane C. Pinakiewicz, MBA, CPPS will be leaving her position as President, effective November 12, 2012. As part of the planned transition, Patricia McGaffigan, RN, MS, Vice President, Program Strategy and Management at NPSF, will assume interim duties while the search for a permanent successor occurs.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110817/CG53348LOGO)

"September 1^st marked the nine-year anniversary of a two-month commitment I made in 2003 to assume executive leadership of NPSF," said Ms. Pinakiewicz, referring to her intended short stay leading the organization.  "NPSF has come a long way in the past nine years.  I am very proud of the position we are now in and the talented staff we have in place, and I think it is time for me to turn the privilege of leading this organization over to someone new."

Ms. Pinakiewicz has been instrumental in NPSF's growth, including the design and launch of accredited continuing education and continuing medical education resources, the creation of the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety, and the establishment of NPSF as a significant resource for patient safety expertise with a strong presence both nationally and overseas.

"Our Foundation has achieved many accomplishments with Ms. Pinakiewicz at the helm.  We owe her a debt of gratitude for her leadership and stewardship of the National Patient Safety Foundation for the past nine years," said Gerald B. Hickson, MD, Chairman, NPSF Board of Directors.  "The Board supports Ms. Pinakiewicz's decision to pursue a new endeavor, and we are confident that NPSF will continue building a noble legacy to make medicine kinder and safer."  Ms. Pinakiewicz will hold the honorary position of Distinguished Advisor to NPSF and will assist in ensuring continuity through the transition.

In anticipation of this decision, the Board has been actively involved in preparing a transition plan and is currently conducting a national search for a successor.  "We believe that this transition will build on the foundation of NPSF's commitment to improving the safety of patients while continuing as an integral resource for organizations and individuals in the health care industry," noted Dr. Hickson.

About National Patient Safety Foundation

NPSF has been pursuing one mission since its founding in 1997 – to improve the safety of care provided to patients.  As a central voice for patient safety, NPSF is committed to a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach in all that it does.  NPSF is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about the work of the National Patient Safety Foundation, please visit www.npsf.org.

SOURCE National Patient Safety Foundation