Leapfrog Emerald Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Health Care System
AdventHealth
The Leapfrog Emerald Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Health Care System recognizes one health system in the United States for remarkable achievements and leadership in patient safety and quality. This award is a testament to AdventHealth’s exceptional performance in perpetuating a strong culture of patient safety and excellence throughout AdventHealth. Across Leapfrog’s ratings programs, AdventHealth hospitals have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance. Nineteen of their hospitals earned As on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in 2021, and AdventHealth hospitals have received the Top Hospital Recognition 38 times over the past three years. More important than the accolades, are the countless lives saved because of implementing standards to deliver the highest quality and safest health care.
Leapfrog Emerald Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Health Care Leader
Gary Kaplan
The Leapfrog Emerald Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Health Care Leader recognizes one health care leader in the country for unmatched leadership and commitment to patient safety and quality, both locally and on the national stage. Dr. Gary Kaplan has been an unwavering champion for patient safety and quality for more than two decades as CEO of Virginia Mason Medical Center. Under Dr. Kaplan’s leadership, Virginia Mason achieved Leapfrog Top Hospital more times than any other hospital nationwide. Virginia Mason also remains one of only 23 hospitals receiving “Straight As” since the start of the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in 2012. Leapfrog has benefited from his expertise as he has co-chaired Leapfrog’s Hospital Advisory Committee since its inception. Dr. Kaplan’s leadership in other national organizations, such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, attests to his role as a generational role model.
Leapfrog Emerald Award for Outstanding Achievement for Lifetime Achievement
Cristie Travis
Cristie Upshaw Travis has played a critical role in Leapfrog’s evolution from our earliest days. For nearly all of Leapfrog’s 22 years, Cristie has served as a trailblazer, taking on numerous board roles, including board chair. As CEO of the Memphis Business Group on Health, a Leapfrog Regional Leader, Cristie pioneered innovative strategies for engaging hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in reporting to Leapfrog and using data to drive change. Her strategic thinking and bold leadership were instrumental in many of Leapfrog’s most important initiatives. Cristie is also widely recognized at the national level. The National Quality Forum elected her as Chairperson and she served critical roles at other influential national organizations like the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Cristie lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband Pat, a professor at the University of Memphis, and is proud of her son Lee, who works in entertainment in California. She spends her spare time photographing the backroads of the Mississippi Delta and visiting family and friends.