Lucian Leape

Leape, a former pediatric surgeon, is being honored for his leadership on medical error prevention. He asserts that medical errors in the U.S. can be reduced by 90 percent over the next decade if the medical industry shifts its emphasis from punishment to redesigning systems so that errors are less likely to occur in the first place.

Nemours has cited several ways in which Leape has examined methods to reduce injury rates: by investigating the medical care delivery system to identify where breakdowns occur; developing solutions to improve clinical systems and processes; finding ways for providers to discuss errors and accidental injuries without fear of litigation; and bringing stakeholders together.

The award consists of a $50,000 prize and an original Steuben Glass crystal sculpture. Leape has asked that his $50,000 cash award be given to the Boston Minuteman Council of the Boy Scouts of America to support their programs in diversity training and for bringing inner city youth into scouting.

In requesting the donation, he said: "The Boston Minuteman Council scouting program provides more than 5,000 disadvantaged youth with a meaningful alternative to street gangs and hopelessness. I can think of few things more important to the health and welfare of children. Scouting made an immense difference in my life. I believe it will do the same for them. With special emphasis on delivering quality Scout experiences to at-risk youth and the introduction of diversity training and diversity education programs, the Boston Minuteman Council is a leader in the Boy Scouts of America in operating in an inclusive manner. The comprehensive programs of the Boston Minuteman Council serve as a valuable resource and as an example for the Boy Scouts of America nationally. The organization is to be commended and recognized for its efforts and commitment to serving all."

As a member of the Institute of Medicine committee that published the landmark 1999 report To Err Is Human, Leape drew attention to the staggering problem of medical errors in the U.S. Significant media coverage was given to his analogy of the number of Americans thought to die of medical injuries each year being akin to three jumbo jets full of patients crashing every two days.

For more information about the award, visit http://www.nemours.org.