WASHINGTON -- Dr. James Bagian, director of the National Center for Patient Safety of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is one of nine winners of the 2003 "Service to America" medals. Bagian received the award for 24 years of public service.
“The quality of health care for veterans is better than ever, thanks to the dedication of public servants like Jim Bagian,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “Now the private sector is following VA's lead in safeguarding patients.”
Established by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, the medals are presented annually to recognize the finest achievements by public servants across the nation.
In a recent Washington, D.C., ceremony, Bagian was recognized for developing an innovative patient safety program that is now in place in all 162 VA hospitals. He has led the patient safety center since it began in 1999.
Bagian has served as a NASA physician and astronaut, an Air Force flight surgeon, an investigator for both the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle accidents, and an engineer with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Navy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
VA operates the largest health care system in the United States, providing care to more than 4.5 million veterans at 1,300 sites, including 162 hospitals, 800 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics, 206 counseling centers, 135 nursing homes and 43 domiciliary facilities.
