Craig Piquette, MD, professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, has stepped down as the VA director of the MICU after holding the position since 2002.
"He has served with much distinction in that capacity ever since," said Gary Gorby, MD, chief of medicine, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System.
Under Dr. Piquette's leadership, patients have enjoy a very low rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia and central line-associated bloodstream infections, Dr. Gorby said. A few of the processes and programs implemented under Dr. Piquette include a multi-disciplinary approach to infection prevention, an e-ICU backup program and an early mobilization program.
"You have made a real impact as ICU director at the VA over the years," said Joe Sisson, MD, division chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy.
"We want to acknowledge Dr. Piquette's long tenure of excellent service there," said Dr. Debra Romberger, chair, Department of Internal Medicine.
Lee Morrow, MD, agreed to take on these responsibilities at the beginning of the current academic year.