Keck Medicine of USC nurses and physicians were honored recently for their commitment to exceptional care at a special dinner and ceremony marking the second annual USC Choi Family Awards for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care.

The prestigious awards honor physicians, residents, nurses and staff who hold an unwavering commitment to compassionate patient care.

The 2017 winners were:

  • Staff: Jane Bateman, concierge at Keck Hospital
  • Nurse: Linda Dankwa, nurse on 7S ICU
  • Physician: Michael Wang, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine
  • Resident/Fellow: Adrian Dobrowolsky, MD, clinical instructor of surgery (fellow)
  • Team: USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Emergency Department

The awards are part of the USC Choi Family Excellence in Patient Centered Care Endowment, which was established in 2016 by Keck Medicine of USC through a generous gift from the Choi family. The endowment provides funding for education and training focused on compassion, empathy, advocacy and patient-centered care.

“This philanthropic partnership helps ensure the culture of service and patient advocacy that exists will be supported and enhanced now and into the future,” said Rod Hanners, COO of Keck Medicine of USC and CEO of Keck Medical Center of USC.

Each awardee received $2,000, along with an additional $2,000 for their department to be used for programs, training and activities that support and foster our culture of excellence in patient-centered care. Additionally, each recipient’s name will appear on a “perpetual plaque” installed in a place of prominence at Keck Medical Center of USC.

The Choi Family Awards are open each year to all health care professionals at Keck Medicine of USC.

“This year’s winners embody the Choi Family Excellence in Patient Centered Care,” Hanners said. “Their compassion, empathy and advocacy for our patients and families embody our commitment to beyond exceptional care. We are deeply grateful for their dedication to our patients and Keck Medicine of USC.”

Keck Medical Center of USC also hosted the USC Choi Family Endowment: Beyond the Diagnosis-Transforming Care from Patient to Person, a symposium featuring guest speakers and public health experts from across Keck Medicine. The event featured Press Ganey Chief Strategy Officer Nell Buhlman, who spoke about the importance of engaged caregivers and the patient experience.

The Choi family chose to support the Keck Medicine of USC Patient Experience Department after a family member received exceptional care from Keck Hospital of USC physicians, nurses and staff. —Douglas Morino