The 2010 recipient of Excellence through Evidence

 

Dr. Judith Ritchie (left) received the Excellence through Evidence award from CHSRF President Maureen O'Neil at the 2010 CEO Forum, held in Montreal on Feb. 17, 2010.

The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Judith Ritchie, Associate Director of Nursing Research, McGill University Health Centre, is the recipient of the 2010 Excellence through Evidence award. This award recognizes the critical role of leadership in successfully implementing evidence-informed innovations in healthcare and provides an honorarium of $15,000 to be used to inspire similar innovation across Canada.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ritchie has created and promoted the use of evidence to strengthen the quality of care provided to patients.

Among Dr. Ritchie’s accomplishments, she spearheaded the implementation of best practice guidelines to reduce falls, manage pain, and protect skin integrity among patients. This resulted in, for example, a 35% reduction in falls, a 50% reduction in severe falls and a 40% reduction in pressure ulcers.

results in significant change that makes a large difference in performance whether achieved by the creation of new ideas or the adaptation of proven ideas from elsewhere. It can take a variety of forms whether relating to improvement of services, new technology, new information systems or new workforce practices. It can be enacted through an incremental series of changes that builds over time or a step change that quickly transforms a process or system.”

National Health Services (2009) Creating an innovative culture. Guidance for strategic health authorities (SHAs): new duty to promote innovation, U.K. Department of Health

Dr. Ritchie was the driver behind the creation of the Eureka! Fellowships, aimed at giving nurses the tools and skills to apply evidence to improve practice. She also mentors senior leaders and clinicians in the use of evidence to inform decision-making. Dr. Ritchie has successfully bridged the worlds of clinical practice, policy, education and research.

“We are honoured to present this award to Dr. Ritchie,” stated CHSRF president Maureen O’Neil, “Her quiet leadership has helped to strengthen the skills and capacity of the people she works with and the quality care offered to patients.”

Dr. Arthur Porter, Director and CEO of the McGill University Health Centre, added that “Judith has earned the respect of everyone from the bedside to the board for her ability to link evidence-based practice to quality and safety outcomes.”

The Excellence through Evidence award was presented to Dr. Ritchie on February 17 in Montreal, at the CEO Forum. The day-long forum, hosted by CHSRF in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association and the Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations, is an annual event that provides CEOs, policy-makers and experts from across Canada the opportunity to discuss approaches to improving the quality and delivery of health services.

» More about the award

     


Media inquiries:
Elizabeth Everson
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF)
1565 Carling Avenue, Suite 700
Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R1 (Canada)
Tel. : +1 613-728-2238, ext 242
Fax.: +1 613-728-3527
elizabeth.everson@chsrf.ca

 

    

For additional information, please send inquiries to grantsandawards@chsrf.ca.

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