Appointment of Neelam Dhingra
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(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, USA, 4 June 2024) – Joint Commission International (JCI) today announced the appointment of Neelam Dhingra, MBBS, MD, as its new vice president and chief patient safety officer, effective 1 June 2024. Dr. Dhingra, a leading global patient safety expert, previously led the World Health Organization’s (WHO) programs on patient safety and blood safety for more than two decades.
Most recently, Dr. Dhingra was unit head for the Patient Safety Flagship at WHO. Under her leadership in this role, several key milestones were achieved including the World Health Assembly resolution ‘Global Action on Patient Safety’, ‘Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030’, World Patient Safety Day, Global Patient Safety Network, Global Patient Safety Report 2024 and more.
“A leader and champion for patient safety, Neelam’s work at the World Health Organization helped contribute to our vision of a world in which no one is harmed in healthcare,” adds Sir Liam Donaldson, WHO DG Special Envoy for Patient Safety. “I worked closely with Neelam throughout her time at the World Health Organization. Her passion for patient safety will help to create substantial beneficial change in her new post. I wish her all the very best as she works in this new leadership role to advance patient safety and quality of care for all patients and their families.
As JCI Vice President and Chief Patient Safety Officer, Dr. Dhingra will provide strategic leadership on patient safety and promote all aspects of JCI’s patient safety and quality improvement activities internationally. Dr. Dhingra also will serve as the chief spokesperson on patient safety and quality topics externally at international conferences and events.
Additionally, Dr. Dhingra will serve as the key liaison between JCI and the healthcare safety community, including Ministries of Health, inter-governmental, non-governmental, and healthcare organizations and systems. She will be based in Geneva, Switzerland.
“We are thrilled to welcome Neelam to Joint Commission International to help improve patient safety and quality of care in healthcare organizations around the globe,” says Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission and JCI. “As a recognized leader and passionate advocate, Neelam has galvanized global patient safety and quality improvement efforts. I have every confidence that she will help Joint Commission International foster partnerships and advance our global mission to improve patient safety and quality of care for all patients.”
“Neelam will bring invaluable experience and knowledge to Joint Commission International as a patient safety, quality improvement and risk management expert,” adds Abdulelah M. Alhawsawi, MD, FRCS, DABS, board of director, JCI, and chief executive officer, Novo Genomics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “Joint Commission International looks forward to Neelam’s leadership as we work with healthcare organizations and other stakeholders around the globe to continuously improve and implement best practices.”
Dr. Dhingra completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. She earned her Doctor of Medicine in pathology from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, along with advanced training fellowships in the United Kingdom.
Learn more about the JCI leadership team.
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About Joint Commission International
Joint Commission International (JCI) was established in 1994 as a division of Joint Commission Resources, Inc. (JCR), a wholly controlled, nonprofit affiliate of The Joint Commission. Through international accreditation and certification, advisory services, publications and education programs, JCI extends The Joint Commission’s mission worldwide by helping improve the quality of patient care. JCI works with international healthcare organizations, public health agencies, health ministries and others in more than 100 countries. Visit www.jointcommissioninternational.org for more information.