Memories of the 23rd Institute for Healthcare Improvement Forum #IHI 2011.

I’ve attached a brief view of the events at the IHI forum this year. As co chair, we were responsible for attending many sessions. I tried my very best but there was just too much to accomplish in so little time and taking photos was difficult. See IHI website for more forum photos.

Special thanks to Maureen, Joanne, Greta, Jenna, Emily, all of the “blue shirts” for their guidance and the IHI staff, my co chairs: Kavita, Derek and Stephen; my PIPSQC team for a memorable Peds mini course, my scholarship winners (Nora, Rachel and Kelly)-who are amazing, Libby Hoy (PFCC) and Tanya Lord (Grief Tool Box) for assisting with the candle lighting, Regina Holliday for painting my jacket and telling my story, Bruce Ramshaw (surgeon) for supporting our Justin’s HOPE work, the mom’s who created their children’s slides for my session, the patients and families who collaborated with providers as partners at sessions this year, NYS DOH/SPH and MHAUS for supplying learning materials for my session, Paul Levy for covering the forum via social media, Tony DiGioia for his patient/family centered work, Eric Greitins (The Heart and the Fist) for showing us the way and knowing who is at our side…and thank you to a CEO for spending time with me confiding his feelings and teaching me about an adverse event at his hospital and to the doctor from Ghana for speaking from his heart-he’s got it right. There are many more to thank, as well.

I’m still consumed in the events of the week and will never forget the kindness of all of those that I encountered. All teach, all learn, all celebrate our success and all learn from our mistakes. I’m grateful to Maureen Bisognano and IHI for selecting me to be a co chair for such a magnificent event this year that EVERY healthcare provider should always attend!