John A. Calderone, PhD, CEO, Olympia Medical Center, Los Angeles Named Recipient of Healthcare Administrator Award For Infection Control & Prevention Leadership

LOS ANGELES, CA, June 19, 2013 (Press-News.org) John Calderone, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at Olympia Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, has been named the recipient of the 4th Annual Healthcare Administrator Award, presented by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). APIC is a multi-disciplinary, voluntary, international organization promoting wellness and prevention of Infection world-wide by advancing health care epidemiology. Its headquarters is located in Washington D.C.

The award, presented at APIC's 40th Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale, is given annually to a healthcare executive who has made infection prevention and control a top priority throughout their facility.

With direction from Dr. Calderone the infection prevention staff at Olympia Medical Center revitalized a system-wide hand hygiene campaign that engaged patients with buttons and posters with the message, "Ask Us If We Washed Our Hands." He personally addressed the issues of hand hygiene with the medical staff and reiterated the importance of their task. Calderone also conducted communications to the physicians directly to maximize its importance and worked directly with those members of the Medical Staff not in compliance with this campaign.

"We are proud to recognize Dr. Calderone with this honor," said APIC 2013 President Patti Grant, RN, BSN, MS, CIC. "His persistent encouragement and support have given infection Prevention and Control a solid foundation at Olympia, enabling them to elevate the level of care provided to patients."

Through Calderone's encouragement and the collaboration between nursing and infection control, infection rates decreased significantly. Throughout 2012 Olympia Medical Center had zero infection rates in the intensive care unit. Similar reductions were achieved for catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Calderone has spoken with many healthcare leaders on the role of the CEO in infection prevention, sharing his strategies and communicating the value and relevance of infection prevention and control in a hospital environment.

In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Medical Center, Dr. Calderone is a member of the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) and has been voted Chair-Elect by the HASC Executive Committee.

About John A. Calderone, PhD: John A. Calderone, Ph.D., has been the Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Medical Center since 2006. Dr. Calderone has over 35 years experience in the healthcare industry. Throughout his career he has been an adjunct professor teaching psychology, gerontology and Master level Healthcare Administration at different universities. Dr. Calderone holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a post-doctoral degree in Psychology from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

About Olympia Medical Center
Olympia Medical Center is a physician owned hospital located in the heart of Los Angeles and has been providing medical care to nearby communities since 1948. Services at the 204-bed acute care hospital include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, diagnostic imaging and award winning 24-hour emergency care. The hospital is dedicated to clinical excellence and delivering health care services in a patient-centered, community focused environment. Services include the California Digestive Diseases Institute, the Los Angeles Center for Spine Care and Research, the Center for Wound Management and Hyperbaric Medicine, the Continent Ostomy Center, the Reflections Outpatient Behavioral Health Program, and the Center for Geriatric Health. Olympia Medical Center is a fully accredited hospital. To learn more about Olympia Medical Center, visit http://www.olympiamc.com