Our Team

“In neurosurgery, quality is a complex equation. On the one hand, patients are happy to just wake up. As neurosurgeons, we have to look beyond the technical success of the procedure and consider the impact of a neurosurgical diagnosis and outcome on the patient and the family unit. When we focus on solving that equation … we all win.”

“Quality is not an abstract idea. It is a daily practice. It is the discipline of doing what is right for each patient in every moment. Our council exists to bring structure and intention to that work. We measure what matters. We learn from our results. We build systems that allow our teams to provide care that is safe, timely, effective, and personal. The standard cannot be to simply respond to problems. It must be to anticipate them. To remove friction. To support our teams. To elevate the entire care journey. When we do that with clarity, direction, and collaboration, we transform outcomes. The goal is excellence. The expectation is excellence. And the work is ongoing.”

“The multidisciplinary, comprehensive quality program within the UT Southwestern Department of Neurological Surgery was developed with the goal of continually improving upon the exceptional care patients with neurological disorders receive at our institution. Through transparency of data and open communication, the program is able to efficiently initiate systematic changes that truly impact our patient outcomes and experience. This includes shortening the in-hospital length of stay, decreasing readmissions, and reducing complications. Moreover, the program facilitates the incorporation of new treatments in a safe and efficient manner. Overall, we feel this allows patients to quickly get back to the most important parts of their lives.”

“It is a privilege to serve as an advanced practice provider with the Department of Neurosurgery at UT Southwestern. The Department encompasses the mission of delivering high-quality, patient-centered, evidence-based care. The Neurosurgery Quality Council ensures quality-driven care is delivered to all patients while incorporating the multidisciplinary team in a transparent approach to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. The Quality Council ensures that the care being delivered is the highest standard and includes all members of the allied health team to achieve this goal. Serving on the Quality Council is an important and valuable opportunity to make an impact in the type of care delivered here at UT Southwestern. High-quality care directly impacts patient outcomes, overall well-being, safety, and patient satisfaction. It decreases complications, errors, and adverse events, and it is vital in keeping our patients safe. The Neurosurgery Quality Council ensures quality care is delivered, which leads to better outcomes for our patients. The entire team improves when there is a culture that values quality. This can boost the team's morale and job satisfaction, which can lead to better teamwork, decrease burnout, and improve patient-centered, quality care.”

“As an advanced practice provider, I have the pleasure of caring for our patients before and after their neurological surgery. Our Quality Council encourages ongoing evaluation at each phase of the patient's experience, from admission to discharge. As we remain focused on care from the patient’s perspective, we can respond to changing needs in a dynamic fashion. Through constant reassessment, we continually improve the surgical experience and outcomes.”

“As the Project Manager for the Neurosurgery Quality Program, I’ve seen significant growth and progress over the past three years in enhancing patient care and safety. Through consistent daily review and analysis of data, we have been able to refine our processes, resulting in improved discharge efficiency, reduced length of stay (LOS), and lower mortality rates. Increased transparency, along with more effective planning and discussions around projects, has also contributed to our success. These efforts have directly translated into better patient outcomes and more efficient operations, reflecting the continued impact of our commitment to quality improvement in neurosurgery.”