“While at my core I am a physician researcher, my driving passion has always been to improve the care patients receive. I believe that this leadership program will allow me to enjoy a career where, in addition to publishing my research results related to quality measurement and improvement in palliative care, I can effectively work with appropriate policy makers, payers, hospital leadership, and other palliative care colleagues to ensure that implementation of high quality palliative care continues to improve in our country. Importantly, this award would also allow me the opportunity to improve my mentoring skills so I can pass on my knowledge to the next generation of leaders.”