Stroke and Transitions of Care program wins Patient Safety Hero Award
By Mark Turney, Public Affairs Officer
The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center’s Stroke and Complex Transitions of Care program recently received the 2025 Patient Safety Hero Award from the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety.
The Roudebush VA team received the honor during an Indianapolis ceremony for outstanding contributions to patient safety across local area hospitals.
The Stroke and Complex Transitions of Care program was developed after staff identified a need for enhanced support for Veterans recovering from stroke, a population at high risk for complications and rehospitalization when transitioning from hospital to community settings. Many of these Veterans face complex physical, medical and social challenges that increase the likelihood of emergency department visits and hospital readmissions.
In response, the interdisciplinary team was established to provide coordinated support during this critical transition period. Services include home safety assessments, medication management, physical and occupational therapy coordination and other individualized supportive services.
Since its implementation, the program has significantly reduced hospital readmission rates and generated meaningful cost savings while demonstrating innovation, high reliability and a strong commitment to continuous improvement in patient safety.
Congratulations to the team
Team members recognized for their contributions:
- Clinical Social Worker Breannen Winter
- Social Worker Sara Minor, Medicine Continuum of Care
- Registered Nurse Case Manager Michael Shields
- Stroke Program Manager-Neurology James Baskerville
- Physician Dr. Linda Williams
- Home-Based Primary Care Program Director Lisa Plewa
- Unit Manager Melissa Cummings, 4 West
- Registered Nurse Elizabeth Roberson, Geriatrics & Extended Care
- Speech Pathologist Sheryl Klasnick
- Occupational Therapist Molly Sears
- Physical Therapist Joy Gordon
- Physical Therapist Joshua Judd
- Chief of Community, Home and Geriatrics Cathy Schubert
Special recognition is also extended to High Reliability Patient Safety and Systems Redesign Supervisor Erika Swanson and the medical center’s Quality, Safety and Value team for their support throughout the selection process and for coordinating award-related activities.