Contact: Jennifer Amundson, Fairview Media Relations, 612-672-4165

MINNEAPOLIS (May 11, 2007) -- Alison H. Page, M.S., M.H.A., Fairview chief safety officer, received the 2007 National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) Chairman's Medal, awarded in recognition of emerging leadership in the patient safety field.

Alison H. Page received the award May 3 at the NPSF annual congress in Washington D.C.

"Alison Page demonstrates the ability to inspire and lead the change necessary to successfully implement patient safety improvements. She creates a culture of respect, openness, learning and teamwork that results in measurable positive change and reduction in the harm associated with errors,” said David Page, Fairview president and CEO.

A respected state and increasingly national authority on patient safety, in November 2006, Page was recognized for her leadership by the Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety at its statewide conference. Page has worked for transparency, accountability and collaboration in numerous state and national patient safety efforts.

She was part of an effort to develop and release Minnesota’s first annual Adverse Health Care Event Public Report in 2004. She also helped to write an adverse health event disclosure policy for Minnesota hospitals and is a key leader in the development and implementation of statewide culture that supports patient safety.

Nationally, she serves on a committee to help health care organizations best adopt principles to ensure highly reliable health care, among other activities.

Presenters of the Chairman's Medal included Henri R. Manasse, Jr., Ph.D., Sc.D., chairman of the NPSF board of governors, Paul A. Gluck, M.D., chairman of the NPSF board of directors and Diane Pinakiewicz, M.B.A., president, National Patient Safety Foundation.

Fairview Health Services is a community-focused health system providing a complete range of services, from prevention of illness and injury to care for the most complex medical conditions. Fairview provides services in many settings, including community centers, homes, clinics, hospitals and long-term care centers. Fairview is affiliated with the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center and supports its mission of research and education. Fairview is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Minneapolis with staff and facilities throughout Minnesota.

The National Patient Safety Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving patient safety and reducing medical errors through leadership, research and education.

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