Laura Lee, assistant vice president of Patient Safety at MedStar Health, was named the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Patient Safety Award by the Mid-Atlantic Patient Safety Center, according to an April 24 announcement.
The award recognizes individuals whose careers demonstrate ongoing and exceptional contributions to patient safety at various levels. The honor highlights Lee’s nearly four decades of leadership in advancing patient safety both nationally and within healthcare systems.
“Laura’s career has left an enduring mark on patient safety, on the people she has mentored, caregivers, and most importantly on the countless patients who are safer because of her work,” said Rollin J. (Terry) Fairbanks, senior vice president and chief quality and safety officer at MedStar Health and chair of the MPSC Board of Directors. Stephanie Peditto, President & CEO of MPSC, added: “Laura’s work exemplifies the very essence of this award—an unwavering commitment to safer care, stronger systems, and better outcomes for patients. Laura’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a career defined not only by longevity, but by lasting impact on how patient safety is understood and practiced.”
Lee began her career as a clinical nurse at MedStar Washington Hospital Center before spending four decades at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. There she contributed to building modern patient safety practices in one of the world’s largest research hospitals. “In her career at the NIH Clinical Center, Laura was known for transforming safety from a regulatory requirement into a deeply embedded organizational value through daily huddles, executive rounds, and systems designed for learning, transparency, and accountability,” Fairbanks said.
For the past five years as system leader for Patient Safety at MedStar Health, Lee has advanced innovative programs that have influenced other health systems nationwide.
The Mid-Atlantic Patient Safety Center is an independent nonprofit organization focused on leveraging professional expertise to advance safety science across healthcare settings.
