Keck Medicine of USC, a national leader in patient safety, has announced its enhanced commitment to the highest standards of care with the appointment of Mary Virgallito, MSN, RN, who will serve as the first chief quality officer at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH).

Virgallito’s new title follows the recent appointment of Tom Bates, MBA, RN, who transitioned to become Keck Medicine’s first chief quality officer on Nov. 6.

Virgallito previously served as executive administrator of quality and patient safety at USC-VHH, where she enhanced safety protocols and educated staff on patient safety and infection prevention. In her new position, she will oversee and align the hospital’s strategic quality and patient safety improvement efforts.

Virgallito received a Bachelor of Science in registered nursing from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Master of Science in nursing, specializing in pediatric care, from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“Keck Medicine is dedicated to providing the best possible patient outcomes, and these two newly created positions further cement our ongoing efforts,” said Rod Hanners, CEO of Keck Medicine.

— Alison Rainey and Kate Faye