RMH Quality Improvement Award
Ridge Meadows Hospital Quality Improvement Award
First awarded in 2022 – this award was created to recognise the Quality Improvement work of Dr. Scott Tancon at Ridge Meadows hospital.
It has since been awarded to other physicians whose additional work in quality improvement has had an impact at our hospital and in the wider medical community.
It recognizes Medical staff who cultivate a spirit of QI and inspire others to adopt QI practices. Winners are committed to leading QI projects/initiatives and helping others get involved & interested in Quality improvement.
Previous Winners
Dr. Jyoti Balain & Dr. Stephanie Tsang
Dr. Jyoti Balain and Dr. Stephanie Tsang are recognized for their leadership in the redesign and advancement of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Asthma Clinic. Through dedicated effort and collaboration, they have worked to improve access, streamline processes, and strengthen the overall delivery of asthma care at our site.
Over the past year, they have developed standardized clinic forms, refined patient flow processes, and worked closely with clinical partners to identify challenges and implement practical solutions. A key achievement has been the launch of a pediatric-focused clinic stream, including a new “cough clinic” model aligned with Emergency Department needs, improving access for patients with frequent respiratory presentations.
Their work has helped clarify referral pathways, strengthen coordination with family physicians, and lay the foundation for future expansion, including alignment with adult respiratory services. Ongoing efforts will focus on optimizing capacity and further enhancing the sustainability of the clinic.
We are pleased to recognize Dr. Jyoti Balain and Dr. Stephanie Tsang for their leadership, collaboration, and contributions to quality improvement at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
Dr. Joseph Lee
We are proud to recognize Dr. Joseph Lee as this year’s recipient of our annual Quality Improvement Award for his exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing patient care at our site. As our Site Physician QI Lead, Dr. Lee has consistently championed meaningful change through a wide range of quality improvement initiatives. Among his many contributions, Dr. Lee has led efforts to strengthen care for patients with complex addictions, developing educational resources and delivering training to both physicians and staff on available community supports and best practices in addiction medicine. His collaborative approach and focus on practical, system-level solutions have resulted in improved care pathways and better support for both patients and providers. Dr. Lee’s work reflects an ongoing dedication to creating a culture of learning, innovation, and compassion. His impact is felt not only in the initiatives he leads but also in the inspiration he brings to others to engage in quality improvement. Congratulations, Dr. Joseph Lee, and thank you for your continued leadership.
Dr. Marni Heed has demonstrated exceptional commitment to quality improvement through her leadership and work with the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). This program provides risk-adjusted surgical outcome data that supports continuous improvement in surgical care, including reductions in morbidity and mortality.
Through her ongoing dedication, Dr. Heed has played an important role in advancing evidence-based practices and strengthening surgical quality at our site. Her work reflects a strong commitment to improving systems of care and supporting positive outcomes for patients. Despite the significant challenges faced in recent years—including the impacts of COVID-19, staffing pressures, and ongoing access and flow constraints—Dr. Heed has remained steadfast in her efforts to support quality improvement and enhance surgical care for our community. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Marni Heed for her leadership, dedication, and contributions to NSQIP and quality improvement at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
Dr. Scott Tancon
Dr. Scott Tancon continues to play a key leadership role in the development and growth of simulation education initiatives at Ridge Meadows Hospital. In addition to a demanding clinical schedule within the Emergency Department, he has dedicated significant time to creating and facilitating interdisciplinary simulation sessions involving staff and learners from across the hospital. His work has helped strengthen clinical preparedness, teamwork, and ongoing education within the organization.
Dr. Tancon has also contributed extensively to physician and staff education through teaching ACLS and PALS, while supporting broader Fraser Health simulation resource development at the regional level. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was an integral voice in operational planning within the Emergency Department, helping redesign patient flow processes to safely separate COVID-
suspected patients while maintaining care access for non-COVID presentations.
Beyond his educational and quality improvement contributions, Dr. Tancon is recognized as a highly collegial and hardworking physician who consistently supports both his colleagues and the broader medical staff community. His involvement in Emergency Department quality improvement initiatives, combined with the considerable work required to coordinate equitable scheduling for
a large physician group, reflects his ongoing commitment to teamwork, fairness, and excellence in patient care. He continues to be a tremendous asset to both the Emergency Department and the wider RMH medical staff community.