Susan Kirsh, MD, MPH is the 2018 recipient of the VA Quality Scholars Alumna of the Year Award due to her significant contributions to healthcare quality improvement through her leadership of national initiatives. Dr. Susan Kirsh was a fellow at the Cleveland VA site and graduated from the program in 2008.
Dr. Kirsh has served in numerous roles during her career of improving care in the Veterans Health Administration. She practiced as an internist for many years at the Cleveland VAMC and more recently worked in VA Central Office in the Primary Care Program Office leading Shared Medical Appointments in support of Patient Aligned Care Team implementation. Additionally, she worked for the Office of Specialty Care implementing e-Consults, SCAN-ECHO, Specialty Care Neighborhoods, and Mini-Residencies. Dr. Kirsh has been the National Clinical Director for Practice Management and Senior Medical Advisor for the Office of Veterans Access to Care. She has worked in the area of access to care, and has led the Group Practice Manger/Clinic Practice Management Team Implementation since March 2015.
Dr. Kirsh is now the Acting Deputy Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Access in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management and Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. The VA Quality Scholars program is delighted to congratulate Dr. Kirsh on her accomplishments through the recognition of this prestigious, inaugural award.