Speak Up for Patient Safety Award

Patient safety is a top priority at UPMC. We depend on our employees to speak up and advise us whenever they see a patient safety issue. Our patients benefit when employees are empowered to help address such concerns.

We recognize those employees with one of our most important honors: The Richard L. Simmons, MD, Speak Up for Patient Safety Award. The award is presented annually to staff members whose actions clearly impact patient safety, and demonstrate Dr. Simmons’ passion and commitment to patient safety in caring for patients.

Established in 2011, the award honors Dr. Simmons, distinguished service professor of surgery; chairman emeritus, Department of Surgery; and medical director, UPMC, for his leadership in advancing methods for measuring and reporting health care quality, and expanding staff members’ capacity to evaluate the quality and safety of health care.