Matthew Atkins, MD, senior assistant resident, has been selected to serve as the Durham VA Medical Center chief resident for quality improvement and patient safety for 2016-17.
Dr. Atkins will be part of a network of such chief residents across the country who lead quality improvement (QI) projects and receive expert training from mentors. He will also participate in a national curriculum designed to prepare a new generation of QI leaders able to help residents implement QI initiatives.
Atkins will work closely with David Simel, MD, vice chair for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Medicine, and previous QI chiefs, including Ryan Schulteis, Joel Boggan, and the current chief, Lindsay Boole.
"Matt was selected because one of his interests is in the transitions of care. This is a topic that is of extreme interest to VA and Duke, as it is one where we want to explore how to improve. In addition, Matt had already done a tremendous amount of self-directed research and education, making use of available on-line resources about clinical quality." said Dr. Simel.
Atkins earned his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University, graduating magna cum laude. He graduated medical school with distinction from the University of Oklahoma and was selected into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Within the Duke internal medicine residency program, he is a participant of the Ambulatory Care Leadership Track, a member of the residency council, and an assistant chief resident for ambulatory medicine.
Atkins will begin as chief resident for quality improvement and patient safety in July 2016. After his year as chief resident, Atkins plans a career in primary care and physician administration with a focus on population health management and health-systems improvement.