Sunil Kripalani, MD, MSc, professor of Medicine in the Section of Hospital Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Public Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was elected a Master in Hospital Medicine (MHM) by the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) during its recent annual meeting.
This honor was awarded in recognition of Kripalani’s leadership, service and innovations to advance the field of hospital medicine, particularly through his scientific investigations focused on improving care coordination and medication safety at transitions of care such as hospital discharge. Out of approximately 60,000 practicing hospitalists, only 50 have received the MHM distinction.
“Dr. Kripalani was among the first hospitalists to pursue a career in research, and he has mentored countless junior investigators,” said SHM President Flora Kisuule, MD. “He is one of the most highly cited researchers in the field, and his work has shaped best practices for hospital discharge around the country.”
Kripalani founded and previously served as chief of the Section of Hospital Medicine at VUMC. He now serves as Vice President for Health System Sciences and directs the Vanderbilt Center for Health Services Research, which supports a broad portfolio of research and training programs that seek to improve health care delivery and health outcomes by optimizing quality, value and patient-centered care in a learning health system model.
Kripalani has been active in SHM since 2000 and has held several leadership roles in the organization. He chaired the scientific research abstract sessions for multiple years, founded the Innovations in Hospital Medicine program, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Kripalani’s research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). He co-leads the PCORI Health Systems Implementation Initiative, RAPID Learning Health System P30, Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Hospital-Based Systems of Care Research and Training Program T32, and additional awards focused on studying the implementation of evidence-based practices.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized in such a meaningful way by the Society of Hospital Medicine,” Kripalani said. “I am also grateful for VUMC’s long-standing support for the hospitalist program and the many partnerships across our organization which continually advance patient care and outcomes for hospitalized patients.”
