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June 17, 2021, 8:28 pm |
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The OrganizationComprised of a team of medical and aviation experts, Surgical Safety Institute was founded by Richard Karl, M.D. The Institute includes William Taggart and Catherine Karl, Sacha Duff, Michael Steighner, Ron Hamilton (see bios), a team of consulting clinicians, and an advisory panel of experienced physicians, nurses, clinicians and commercial airline pilots who bring vital expertise to the company. This unique partnership of professionals has created an integration of surgical and aviation training and tools that are critical to effective surgical safety.Richard C. Karl, M.D.Founder and Chairman A nationally recognized cancer surgeon, 737-type rated pilot, and acclaimed author, columnist and speaker, Richard C. Karl, M.D. has unique insight into the causes and prevention of surgical error. Surgical Safety Institute is the offspring of two of Richard's life-long loves, surgery and flying. Dramatic advances in commercial airline safety over the last 30 years convinced him that the successful lessons of the airplane cockpit could translate to the operating theater. The son of a surgeon, Richard received his medical degree from Cornell and completed his residency at the Washington University School of Medicine. After a position at the University of Chicago, Richard came to Florida in 1983 as the founding medical director of the Moffitt Cancer Center, which has since joined the ranks of the nation's top twelve cancer centers. Richard advocates human factor teamwork with the zeal that only a reformed OR dictator can supply. His dramatic presentations and grand rounds on human factors training invariably draw rave reviews and kickstart in-house debates on improving patient safety. Richard has drawn on his extensive contacts in medicine and aviation to assemble a team unparalled in its depth and breadth of experience. When not maintaining a full surgical practice and teaching schedule as the Richard G. Connar Professor and Chairman of Department of Surgery at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, Richard is apt to be in the air, or collecting stories for his next column, a monthly feature of Flying Magazine. Bill TaggartDirector of Training Programs and Research Bill Taggart has been showing pilots and doctors how to minimize their risk of fatal error for almost 30 years. A consultant, trainer, and researcher, Bill was part of the team that designed United Airlines' groundbreaking crew resource management (CRM) program in 1980. That work led to numerous engagements with U.S. and foreign airlines including Pan Am, US Air, Qantas, Air New Zealand, Aer Lingus, Flight Safety International, and Raytheon. Bill also helped write the FAA's advisory circular on Crew Resource Management. As the medical audience for these techniques grew, Bill designed and conducted human factors training for medical theaters both in the U.S. and in Switzerland. He has been working with Kaiser Permanente on Patient Safety and Human Factors initiatives since 1999. His ongoing medical engagements include the Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Bill has been Southwest Airlines' human factors advisor for CRM since he designed their program in 1990, and he continues to advise numerous airlines including Delta and JetBlue. Bill is a member of the University of Texas Human Factors Research Project at Austin, Texas. He is the author of numerous articles, book chapters, and research reports for aviation and medicine. He is co-author of "Teaching Teamwork During the Neonatal Resuscitation Program: A Randomized Trial," published in the July 2007 Journal of Perinatology. Cathy Karl, M.B.A., C.P.A.Principal With experience as a director and chair on the boards of health care, news, and non-profit organizations, Cathy Karl adds a wealth of oversight and management skills to Surgical Safety Institute's service portfolio. Her work as chair of a captive medical malpractice insurer gives her unique insight into modern hospital administrators' need to reduce surgical errors. From 2003 to 2005, she served as chair of the board of BayCare Health System, a nine-hospital system. She previously served as Vice President of Finance for Times Publishing Company, publisher of the St. Petersburg Times; Treasurer of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies; and Director of Internal Audit for the City of Tampa. She previously served as a senior auditor for Arthur Andersen and Co. Cathy leads the SSI team in her ability to translate the latest insights in surgical safety into bottom-line improvements for hospital administrators, risk managers, and surgical management staff. She is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Sacha DuffHuman Factors Consultant Sacha Duff received a B.S. in Human Factors Psychology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has remained at Embry-Riddle to earn a Master's degree in Human Factors and Systems. During her undergraduate education, Sacha studied human error in general aviation and rotorcraft operations. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including, the Applied Ergonomics, Aerospace Medical Association, European Rotorcraft, and was a session coordinator at the Crew Resource Management (CRM) Vectors conference focusing on single pilot CRM. Sacha's current research interests include applying aviation and systems safety models to the health care industry, medical ergonomics, and human error in offshore rotorcraft accidents. Sacha's master's thesis is focused on flow disruptions in the operating room and their relationship to surgical outcomes. Michael Steighner, C. R. N. AHealthcare Consultant Michael Steighner is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He is a member of the Anesthesiology Safety Committee at the Cancer Center and is Adjunct Faculty & Clinical Coordinator for Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida and the University of South Florida in Tampa. He also serves on the Collaborative Clinical Practice Committee for the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the University of South Florida. In addition, Michael holds a business degree in Human Resource Management and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Patient Safety Leadership from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Professional activities include an active role with the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA) serving as a Director and Chair of the Communications Committee. Ron HamiltonOrganization Development Consultant Ron Hamilton is a consultant, college instructor and a former executive for a Fortune 500 company. Ron is an expert in Human Resources management with emphasis in leadership, teamwork and communications. He has worked with a variety of healthcare clients and other industries as well. Ron served in Senior Management capacities at CoreStates Financial. He was Vice President and Director of Human Resources at CoreStates New Jersey National Bank and Vice President and Director of Human Resources Services at CoreStates Financial Corp in Philadelphia. Ron earned his M.S. in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an Associate Professor at Webster University teaching graduate courses in Management and Human Resources and is an author and speaker on a variety of HR and management subjects. |
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