Bethesda, Maryland  –  


Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Director Army Col. (Dr.) Andrew Barr (center), along with Army Col. (Dr.) Benjamin Potter, director for surgery at WRNMMC (right) and Air Force Col. (Dr.) Peter Learn, deputy director of surgery for quality at WRNMMC, represent WRNMMC in accepting the award for earning meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care. For the second consecutive year, the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) recognized WRNMMC with the award. WRNMMC was one of 89 (of more than 700) ACS NSQIP participating facilities achieving the recognition for the period covering Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019. As a participant in ACS NSQIP, WRNMMC is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that assesses patient safety and can be used to direct improvement in the quality of surgical care. WRNMMC was one of seven military treatment facilities to earn the recognition, and one of 50 of all the health-care organizations to be recognized in both the “All Cases” and “High Risk” lists. “It means we are demonstrating a sustained pattern of quality, safety and excellence,” Potter stated.