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VA Quality Scholars

Fellowship, Scholarship, Mentorship

The mission of the VA Quality Scholars program is to develop leaders, researchers, and educators who will lead the way in quality improvement healthcare.

The VA Quality Scholars program consists of eight sites across the United States, as well as an affiliate site in Toronto, Canada. Each site in the US consists of a partnership between a VA hospital and an academic institution.

Meet the Senior Scholars

Robert Dittus, MD, MPH Senior Faculty Scholar

Carlos Estrada, MD, MS Senior Faculty Scholar

Shelly de Peralta, DNP, ACNP-BC Senior Faculty Scholar

Carolyn Clevenger, RN, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, GNP-BC, FAANP Senior Faculty Scholar

Patricia A. Patrician, PhD, RN, FAAN Senior Faculty Scholar

Lianne Jeffs, RN, PhD Senior Faculty Scholar

Louise Davies, MD, MS Senior Faculty Scholar

Mary Dolansky, RN, PhD Senior Faculty Scholar

Rory McQuillan, MD Senior Faculty Scholar

Lisa Rubenstein, MD, MSPH Senior Faculty Scholar

Jill Scott-Cawiezell, RN, PhD, FAAN Senior Faculty Fellow

Sei Lee, MD, MAS Senior Faculty Scholar

Tim Carmody, PhD Senior Faculty Scholar

Dean of the School of Nursing, Linda Norman
Shot in the studio for MyVU
(Vanderbilt Photo / Daniel Dubois)

Linda Norman, DSN, RN, FAAN Senior Faculty Scholar

David Aron, MD, MS Senior Faculty Scholar

Brant Oliver, PhD, NP, MSN, MPH, APRN-BC Senior Faculty Scholar

Anne Tomolo, MD, MPH Senior Faculty Scholar

Margaret Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, AGSF, FAAN Senior Faculty Scholar

Hilary Mosher, MD, MFA Senior Faculty Scholar

Fellows and Alumni

Interdisciplinary Fellowships
Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists & Psychologists
Network of hundreds of graduates
30% alumni in federal leadership

40% alumni in academic positions
Two-thirds in VA, take leadership positions
Alumni network: CEO’s, CMO’s & more
Nationally recognized research funding

Sites

Toronto

Known for national and international organizational involvement, fellows come to gain an expertise in academic quality improvement and patient safety. Faculty are sought after for research, productivity, and mentorship.

Birmingham

Fellows are known to come from such interdisciplinary backgrounds as social work, geriatrics, infectious disease, public health, and pharmacy to learn from faculty with expertise in signature programs and areas of excellence.

Cleveland

Faculty are especially sought after for their experience with quality and safety education for nurses at a site with strong interdisciplinary teams and information technology. Fellows receive training in QI, operation-related projects, implementation science, and leadership.

Nashville

Known for its quality improvement programs and close collaborations with Vanderbilt University, Nashville attracts fellows in search of an individualized learning plan to fit their future goals. Faculty represent broad and deep experience in quality improvement, implementation science, health services research, clinical epidemiology and outcomes research.

San Francisco

Fellows achieve mastery in study design and research methodology, implementation science, and clinical program evaluation. In addition to nurse and physician fellows/scholars, this site also includes fellows/scholars from clinical psychology and pharmacy.

Atlanta

With Magnet recognition at both the Atlanta VA Medical Center and its primary affiliate, Emory University, Atlanta is recognized for its strength of collaboration with regional partners. Faculty provide expertise in implementation science, system redesign, interprofessional education, and curriculum design.

White River Junction

Fellows gain expertise as part of multidisciplinary groups of health professionals at a site known for emphasis on effective communication, strong mentoring, and avoidance of over-medicalization. Faculty are known for research support in advanced quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Iowa City

Faculty are renowned for their expertise in research methods and specific content. Fellows gain an expertise in locally driven quality improvement and access to VA data sources and robust research infrastructure.

Greater Los Angeles

With faculty expertise in women’s health, vulnerable populations, and mental health, among other areas, the GLA program is known for a strong health services research program, diverse activities and interests, and close connections to UCLA and RAND.

Two-Year Curriculum

VAQS Curriculum

**FOUNDATIONS OF QUALITY** **– GUIDELINES, THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK, SYSTEMS THINKING, ETHICS, 6 DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY**

**Methods and Skills** **– Quality Improvement 101, Data Fundamentals, Implementation Science, Quality Improvement Tools**

**Professional Development** **– Career Development, Scholarship, Teamwork/Collaboration, Leadership**

**Fellows’ Forum** **– Fellows’ directed topics**

Summer Institute

Summer Institute is the culmination of VA Quality Scholars year-long works and the international collaborative that springs forth initiatives for future endeavors. Scholars, Faculty, and Fellows enjoy a week-long conference featuring world-renowned guest speakers, innovation, and scholarly activity.

VAQS Curriculum