Clinical Collaboration and Teamwork
The Clinical Collaboration and Teamwork award is presented to the physician, nurse and/or team who engages colleagues in shared decision-making, fostering cooperation and open communication.
Jennifer Katzenstein, Ph.D., and the Workplace Violence Prevention Steering Committee
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
(Additional team members: Travis Witt, M.P.A., and Jessica Marchione, M.S.N., R.N.)
To sustain a culture of safety and respect, the Workplace Violence Prevention Steering Committee introduced initiatives to address challenges posed by an increase in disruptive and violent behavior from patients and care partners. Through a focus on communication and collaboration, the team has empowered staff at all levels to contribute to solutions that protect both patients and caregivers, while maintaining a primary focus on team member safety.
Multiple initiatives have been established, including:
- Behavioral personal protective equipment
- Facilities hardening measures
- Updated de-escalation training
- Behavior alert flags in the electronic medical record
- Public-facing signs focused on a safe environment
The steering committee also introduced the Marcus Crisis Prevention Program, a pediatric-focused, family-based de-escalation program. The training has improved staff confidence and competence in prevention strategies and contributed to better patient-provider interactions.
Additionally, the committee has facilitated the coordination of a series of well-being initiatives to help support all staff members.
This interdisciplinary work has fostered a safer and more supportive environment that helps clinical teams focus on providing compassionate care while knowing that their safety is a top priority.
Kartikeya Makker, M.D., M.P.H., and the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Team
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
(Team members: Samar Atteih, M.D., Wayne Keith Leung, M.D., Michelle Gontasz, M.D., Sara Munoz, M.D., Jonathan Walsh, M.D., Mike Collaco, M.D., Brianna Ayoma, M.D., Megan Rauch, RRT, Daenna Burrs, RRT, Heidi Lochen, R.D., Cecilia Kwak, M.D., Lawrence Nogee, M.D., and Mckensey Hoover, RRT)
The bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) team was established two years ago in response to an increased number of preterm infants presenting with BPD at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The multidisciplinary team, which includes pulmonologists, neonatologists, dietitians, respiratory therapists, speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists and palliative care specialists, meets twice a month to review and coordinate respiratory care of the preterm infants who are at greatest risk or have been diagnosed with BPD in the neonatal intensive care unit. These meetings provide continuity of care for our sickest, tiniest patients and allow the clinical team to collaborate, share different perspectives and make clinical suggestions on how to improve care. Additionally, Drs. Makker and Atteih round weekly with the inpatient teams to support clinical care.
The efforts of the BPD team have resulted in standardized respiratory care and new practices that optimize noninvasive respiratory support for our most vulnerable patients. Additionally, they provide education, simulation, bedside teaching and support to family members and the clinical team, leading to a better understanding of the disease.
As a result of these efforts, the rates of BPD have decreased from more than 50% in 2022 to less than 30% in 2024. “Their tireless efforts to improve the long-term health of our most fragile population are commendable, and the data speaks volumes about the success of our team’s vision,” noted a colleague.
Loretta Sutphin, M.D., Amanda Thomas, M.H.A., and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Primary VirtualCare Team
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
(Team members: Cara Arcidiacono, P.A.-C., Katherine Deguzman, F.N.P.-C., Mary Forbes, C.R.N.P., Jennifer Inzer, C.R.N.P., Shannon Larmooh, M.S.N., F.N.P.-C., Ta-Ya Lee, D.N.P., M.P.H., C.R.N.P., Shahla Price, P.A.-C., Megan Rambob, C.R.N.P., Tracey Reinecke-Kashima, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., Fheza Saleem, M.B.B.S., Jessica Smith, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., Loretta Sutphin, M.D., Sara Tamashasky, P.A.-C., M.P.H., Amanda Thomas, M.H.A.)
Johns Hopkins Medicine Primary VirtualCare (PVC), led by Loretta Sutphin, office medical director, and Amanda Thomas, practice administrator, supports Johns Hopkins Medicine primary care patients by offering seamless telemedicine services for same-day or next-day acute primary care. A prime example of the service’s impact on Johns Hopkins Community Physicians (JHCP) patients and practices could recently be seen at JHCP’s Downtown Bethesda practice. PVC became an invaluable partner to Downtown Bethesda during a challenging period following the departures of two primary care physicians. The PVC team stepped in to manage the in-baskets for these providers, whose combined patient panel exceeded 3,500 individuals. Their seamless support ensured continuity of care for our patients, exemplifying clinical collaboration and teamwork at its best.
By promptly addressing prescription refills, lab results and patient inquiries, PVC prevented delays in care and upheld high standards of service. This proactive support not only alleviated the workload of the remaining providers but also maintained trust and continuity for a large patient population, exemplifying their dedication to clinical excellence. While this is a specific example of how PVC has positively affected one JHCP practice, it impacts thousands of patients monthly, stepping in to provide same- or next-day virtual care when a patient’s primary care provider is not immediately available.
Lynette Mark, M.D., Christy Gray, M.D., Ph.D., Katherine Norgaard, M.D., Vikesh Singh, M.D., A. Christine Argento, M.D., Mary-Rose Hess, B.S.N, R.N., C.G.R.N., and team
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Zayed 2 inpatient endoscopy unit is a skilled and dedicated team that brings together gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurses, technicians and administrators in their shared commitment to providing the highest quality patient care. The unit faces daily challenges of heavy procedural loads involving medically complex, high-acuity patients. The endoscopy unit has become a highly efficient and collaborative team over the last few years, where every member of the team is valued and respected and their input is heard.
The Zayed 2 endoscopy team members have prioritized relationship-building and fostering a culture of process improvement toward clinical excellence for their patients. This has led to the creation of a highly efficient and productive environment for inpatients and complex outpatients, for both nontherapeutic and therapeutic procedures. As a result, room utilization has significantly improved, rising from 40%–55% in 2021 to 85%–90% today — significantly above the fiscal year patient care projections and budget estimate.
Patient safety is a top priority in the endoscopy unit, where the risks of adverse events are universally higher than in other clinical areas. Team members have monthly meetings to review all events in an effort to effectively improve patient safety and care. The endoscopy team continually demonstrates ingenuity by piloting innovative ideas that hold promise for improvements in both clinical care, workflow and provider wellness. Multidisciplinary staff retention is high, with a strong emphasis on institutional and international education initiatives, professional development and high-quality research.
Savya Thakkar, M.D., and team
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
The Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center orthopaedic team truly exemplifies what it means to work together. Patients at the medical center can expect the best from every team member under the leadership of Savya Thakkar. The team uses cutting-edge, minimally invasive surgical techniques to streamline care and reduce the use of narcotics postoperatively.
“Our program enables patients to spend less time in the hospital. Most elective total joint replacement patients are discharged on the day of surgery or the next morning,” says a colleague. “Our protocol involves a personalized surgical recovery plan to help minimize cost to both the patient and the hospital.”
These innovations have led to certification as a Center of Excellence for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement by The Joint Commission.
Colleen Kepner, M.D., and the OB Hospitalist Team
Medical Director of the OB/GYN Hospitalist Program
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Under the leadership of Colleen Kepner, the OB hospitalist team has played a pivotal role in expanding the Maternal Health Access program, a critical initiative aimed at improving access to high-quality care for underserved populations in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kepner works tirelessly to facilitate the expansion of this program and to ensure that more women, particularly those from marginalized communities, have access to the essential care they need during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.
Dr. Kepner and the OB hospitalist team are committed to being available for emergency consultations, patient advocacy and supporting other health care providers in the hospital. Their efforts to improve maternal health care access, collaboration and teamwork have a profound and lasting impact on the women and families they serve.
Mariuxi C. Manukyan, M.D., and the Acute Care Surgery Team
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Division of Trauma, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care
Suburban Hospital
Mariuxi Manukyan is a full-time trauma and acute care surgeon at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and an assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In addition to her existing roles, she joined the Suburban Hospital medical staff in 2019 to assist with trauma coverage.
The tireless support of Dr. Manukyan — who has expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgery — and her outstanding collaboration with Suburban’s trauma team proved especially valuable during the challenges of the pandemic. “She always strives to deliver exemplary patient care while taking all the necessary steps to keep the patient’s and family’s emotional needs front and center,” a colleague wrote. From 2019 to date, Suburban’s trauma team was able to treat at least 628 additional patients, with excellent outcomes.
