Sessions
THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSE PATIENT, RESIDENT, AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Thu
Whether the topic is health care quality, safety or equity Dr. Washington is a recognized and prominent figure in healthcare transformation serving in the capacity of thought-leader, advocate, researcher and performance improvement expert that can deliver an inspirational and thought-provoking talk to your organization. Dr. Washington has worked with healthcare systems, U.S. government agencies and numerous policymaker groups to ensure that patient-centered and equitable approaches are at the heart of healthcare redesign. Culminating decades of experience as a health equity practitioner, Dr. Washington founded and serves as President & CEO of ATW Health Solutions, a management consulting and research firm based in Chicago and is a board member for National Quality Forum (Washington DC). Shaped by her passion and belief in social justice, Knitasha has earned recognition nationally for her work in quality improvement, patient and family engagement, health equity and patient safety.
With more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare serving primarily as a consultant, Knitasha brings a multi-dimensional talent focused primarily in the areas of systems performance improvement, operations efficiency, hospital turn-around, patient safety, patient and family engagement, quality and health equity. In 2009 she lost her father to a preventable medical error; an event that dramatically inspired her sense of urgency for quality improvement and eliminating harm for vulnerable populations.
Today, Knitasha serves in multiple roles driving change and innovation nationally and locally. Knitasha is credited for being a key thought-leader of the alignment of equity with the work of the Partnership for Patients Campaign and contributor to Safety Across the Board and development of the Integrated PFE Index. Dr. Washington has worked as a key contributor to the work of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Improvement and Innovations Network (HIIN), Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) and CMS Measure Instrument Development and Support (MIDS). In her roles, Dr. Washington continues to advocate for greater diversity and minority inclusion in healthcare leadership through her work including the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). Notably, she has lead research funded by Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), CMS and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).