Dr. Douglas Slakey is the Chief of Surgical Services at CMC, Advocate Aurora Health Care. He is a clinical professor of surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago. His education and training include the University of California at Berkeley, Medical College of Wisconsin, Oxford University, and Johns Hopkins. He has an active surgical practice involving organ transplantation, dialysis access and advanced surgery for pancreas and liver disease. In his current administrative role, he is responsible for improving safety and effectiveness throughout surgical services. He is active in developing and implementing policies and processes that enhance value in the delivery of surgical care. Dr. Slakey has received recognition for his accomplishments in the United States and Internationally, especially for the application of human factors techniques and team training to improve outcomes, healthcare efficiency, and patient safety. He has more than 140 peer reviewed publications and over 300 national and international presentations. He has continued his research interest in clinical studies involving patient safety, healthcare training, and optimizing outcomes effectiveness in surgery. He has developed innovative techniques for assessing reliability in medical systems, and in medical education and training including the use of simulation.