News-> Press Releases-> COLA Honors Dr. James Westgard with Perry A. Lambird Award: Annual Excellence in Medicine Award Given to Leading Quality Expert




COLA Honors Dr. James Westgard with Perry A. Lambird Award: Annual Excellence in Medicine Award Given to Leading Quality Expert
05/12/2009

Contact:
Melissa Nichols, Alvare Associates
610-520-6140, x 204
mnichols@alvare.com

COLUMBIA, MD, May 7, 2009 - COLA, an internationally respected clinical laboratory accreditation organization, announced that James O. Westgard, Ph.D., a world-renowned expert in laboratory quality control, is the 2009 recipient of the organization's Perry A. Lambird Memorial Excellence in Medicine Award.

The national award is bestowed annually on a health care industry professional who exemplifies the values and ideals of Dr. Lambird, a COLA founder and leader who was dedicated to improving the quality of laboratory testing.

Dr. Westgard, a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Faculty Director of Quality Management Services for the Clinical Laboratories at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, is credited with developing a widely used multi-rule control procedure, often referred to as "Westgard Rules." He is also is a co-founder and principal in Westgard QC, Inc., which provides tools, technology, and training for laboratory quality management.

"COLA is extremely proud to honor Jim Westgard with this award," said COLA Chief Executive Officer Douglas Beigel. "He is a true visionary in the area of managing the quality of analytical processes in the laboratory industry and, like Dr. Lambird, cares deeply about the quality of laboratory testing and patient care."

COLA created the award in 2001 to memorialize Dr. Lambird, a longtime member of the organization's board of directors, Beigel said. In honoring him, COLA seeks individuals with a demonstrated record of contributing to physician education in clinical or laboratory medicine, physician service, quality standards in medicine, or professionals who have materially contributed to the improvement of patient care.

Westgard earned a bachelor degree in chemistry from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and Master's and Ph.D. degrees in analytical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his career at UW as a Clinical Chemist in 1968, served in the past as Director of Clinical Chemistry and Associate Director for Laboratory Administration, and has completed more than 40 years of service with the university. He is the author of several books, including Cost-Effective Quality Control: Managing the Quality and Productivity of Analytical Processes, co-authored with Patricia Barry, and has published numerous abstracts, papers and book chapters.

About COLA
COLA, completing over 35,000 laboratory surveys, is the premier clinical laboratory education, consultation, and accreditation organization. The organization is an independent accreditor whose practical, educational standards have a positive and immediate impact, enabling clinical laboratories and staff to meet U.S. CLIA and other regulatory requirements, act in accordance with quality systems, and provide the best possible patient care. For more information about COLA accreditation services and educational products, and on-line educational opportunities please call 800-981-9883 or visit COLA's Web Site at www.cola.org.