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Earlier this month, VA's Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D) and Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) investigator Nasia Safdar, MD, PhD, was named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Scientist Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Dr. Safdar is principal investigator of Building Implementation Science for VA Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention - a QUERI Partnered Evaluation Initiative (PEI). This PEI collaborates with the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS), part of the VA Office of Quality, Safety & Value, which leads VA patient safety efforts, working to reduce and prevent inadvertent harm to patients as a result of healthcare. Dr. Safdar was specifically cited for achievements in the prevention and management of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), along with related implementation research that bridges gaps between research and clinical practice. Her work examines work-system barriers to infection control in the hospital and identifies best practices to reduce the overall incidence of HAIs.
Established in 1996, PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government upon outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. The award is given annually by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; it recognizes preeminent young scientists and engineers for their innovative research and their "exceptional potential to shape the future through intellectual and inspired leadership."
In addition to scientists from other federal agencies, Dr. Safdar was honored with this award along with another VA investigator - Dr. Joshua Yarrow, part of the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health Care System.
