VA Quality Scholars

 

 

Fellowship, Scholarship, Mentorship

 

VA Quality Scholars Fellowship

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

Dr. Tim Carmody
Tim Carmody, PhD Senior Faculty Scholar
Tomolo4
Anne Tomolo, MD, MPH Senior Faculty Scholar
Margaret Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, AGSF, FAAN Senior Faculty Scholar
Sei Lee
Sei Lee, MD, MAS Senior Faculty Scholar
de Peralta3
Shelly de Peralta, DNP, ACNP-BC Senior Faculty Scholar
Louise Davies 2
Louise Davies, MD, MS Senior Faculty Scholar
PHOTO Mosher~Hilary 2014
Hilary Mosher, MD, MFA Senior Faculty Scholar
Lisa Rubenstein 1
Lisa Rubenstein, MD, MSPH Senior Faculty Scholar
Lianne
Lianne Jeffs, RN, PhD Senior Faculty Scholar
Dave Aron 2
David Aron, MD, MS Senior Faculty Scholar
Pat Patrician 1
Patricia A. Patrician, PhD, RN, FAAN Senior Faculty Scholar
Dittus, Robert Aug 16
Robert Dittus, MD, MPH Senior Faculty Scholar
Carolyn Clevenger
Carolyn Clevenger, RN, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, GNP-BC, FAANP Senior Faculty Scholar
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Rory McQuillan, MD Senior Faculty Scholar
Carlos Estrada 1
Carlos Estrada, MD, MS Senior Faculty Scholar
Dolansky (1)
Mary Dolansky, RN, 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
Brant Oliver
Brant Oliver, PhD, NP, MSN, MPH, APRN-BC Senior Faculty Scholar
Lorraine Mion 2
Jill Scott-Cawiezell, RN, PhD, FAAN Senior Faculty Fellow

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

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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 1
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.
Atlanta City
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.
Toronto
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
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 1
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.
Los Angeles 2
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.
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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.
Nashville
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.

Two-Year Curriculum

VAQS Curriculum

QI CORE – 6 DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY, SYSTEMS THINKING

METHODS & ANALYSIS – Measurement Fundamentals, Implementation Strategies, Quality Improvement Tools

CAREER & SCHOLARSHIP – Career Development, Scholarship

PRACTICE CHANGE LEADERSHIP – Teamwork/Collaboration, Leadership, Promotion and Sustainment of Organizational Change

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.