Sabrina Figueiredo, PhD, MSc, joined the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) as co-director of the Health Care Quality (HCQ) Program. Figueiredo comes to GW from McGill University in Montreal, where she served as assistant director of the physical therapy program.
Figueiredo has 20 years of clinical experience in physical therapy, where she focused on rehabilitating seniors and individuals with musculoskeletal disabilities. Her research portfolio, however, is focused in HCQ. “I’m interested in patient-centered outcomes and the coordination of care — how we can deliver health care services based on patient expectations,” she said.
Figueiredo also studies creating innovative measurement strategies to contribute evidence to patient-centered outcomes and care, as well as developing telehealth initiatives to improve seniors’ outcomes.
During her tenure at McGill University, she oversaw initiatives related to curriculum development, program evaluation, and accreditation. She created a program logic model and an assessment and implementation plan deemed best practices by the Canadian Physiotherapy Accreditation Regulatory Body.
“Sabrina brings a strong background in accreditation and implementation research,” said Leslie Davidson, PhD, OT/L, chair of the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership. “Her experience will be an asset to the HCQ program as well as health sciences, SMHS, and GW as a whole.”
The HCQ program at SMHS offers a graduate certificate and a master of science degree. The program was developed to meet an emerging demand for quality and patient safety specialists who have the capacity and competence to grow and sustain a culture of continuous improvement at all levels and within every sector of the health care delivery system. The program has earned a reputation of graduating leaders in the field, who go on to transform health care in their communities.
GW’s program is among the first four programs in the nation to receive national certification by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). One of Figueiredo’s objectives includes completing HCQ’s reaccreditation with CAHME. She also will work to solidify the program’s position as a leader nationally and to increase outreach.
Prior to her five years at McGill, Figueiredo spent two years as assistant professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), where she received her undergraduate degree in physiotherapy and a diploma in teaching in higher education. A native of Brazil, she earned her master’s degree and doctorate in rehabilitation science from McGill University.
