Two top leaders at Rochester Regional Health have been recognized among the nation’s top patient safety professionals by Becker’s Healthcare.
Renee Demski, Executive Vice President of Quality, Patient Safety and Performance Excellence, and Lori Paine, DrPH, Vice President and Patient Safety Officer, were both named to the 2025 “Patient Safety Experts to Know” list — a national honor highlighting healthcare leaders who are making a real impact on patient safety.
Leading change, reducing harm
Under Demski’s leadership, Rochester Regional Health has cut its hospital-acquired infection rate by more than 40%. She oversees the system’s Quality and Safety Institute and drives efforts to eliminate preventable harm, improve patient outcomes, and boost operational efficiency.
“This recognition highlights the unwavering commitment of our teams across Rochester Regional Health,” said Demski. “Empowering frontline staff to identify and resolve safety issues has the biggest impact on culture and patient outcomes.”
Dr. Paine leads strategic safety initiatives across the system and also teaches at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She’s known for her national influence in shaping safety policy, publishing research, and serving on panels for organizations like the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Quality Forum.
“Patient safety is about more than preventing harm,” Paine said. “It’s about creating safe systems that put patients at the center.”
A national honor
The Becker’s list highlights leaders working to reduce infections, prevent adverse events, and ensure strong compliance with safety standards. Inclusion on the list is by editorial review — not pay-to-play — and reflects peer and institutional nominations.
More information is available at rochesterregional.org and on the full list at Becker’s Hospital Review.
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