Dr Gary S. Kaplan, MD, FACP, FACMPE, FACPE, has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Mason Health System in Seattle since 2000. He is also a practicing internal medicine physician at Virginia Mason.

Dr Kaplan received a degree in medicine from the University of Michigan and is board certified in internal medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at Virginia Mason and served as chief resident in 1980 – 1981.

Dr Kaplan is chair of both the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Board of Directors and the National Patient Safety Foundation Lucian Leape Institute. He was a founding member of Health CEOs for Health Reform and has held leadership positions with numerous organisations, including the Medical Group Management Association, the Washington Healthcare Forum and is a past chair of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

During Dr Kaplan's tenure as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Mason has received significant national and international acclaim for its efforts to transform health care, most notably as the leader in adapting the Toyota Production System to health care. In 2017, Virginia Mason received the America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award from Healthgrades, placing the medical centre among the top one percent of hospitals in the nation for year-over-year superior clinical performance across a broad spectrum of care

Presentation Synopsis
Transforming Health Care: A History of Virginia Mason’s Lean Journey
This presentation will describe Virginia Mason’s transformation journey from the beginning to where the organisation is today and will include moments of organisational learning throughout. During this presentation, the key elements of what makes the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) our management method will be described along with examples of how these elements come to life every day at Virginia Mason. This presentation will conclude with a focus on the importance of a system-wide culture of respect and its impact on quality and safety.

Presentation Synopsis
Talent Development in a Lean Organization
This presentation will explore the structure of talent development and performance success that drives individual and organisational growth. Leadership competencies necessary to implement and sustain a culture of continuous improvement will complete this exploration of best practice methods for developing talent in a lean organisation.

Presentation Synopsis
Moving from Physician Driven to Patient Driven, Building a Culture of Value
Hear the story of one organization’s journey that learned to see patient’s experience more deeply.
To hear how it feels to be a leader of a healthcare organization that opens its doors to listening to the patients voice from the front lines to the board room.