Dean Ford Joins Governing Board of The Joint Commission
He will help develop strategic priorities to advance excellence in patient care
By Lisette Hilton
Photography by Kiko Ricote
As a member of its Board of Commissioners, Dean Ford will provide policy leadership and oversight for the Joint Commission.
M
iller School of Medicine Dean and Chief Academic Officer Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., has joined The Joint Commission as a member of its Board of Commissioners.
The board’s 21 voting members provide policy leadership and oversight for The Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies more than 23,000 health care organizations and programs in the U.S. An independent nonprofit, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
Board members include accomplished physicians, administrators, nurses, employers, quality and innovation experts, and educators. The board also includes representatives from the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons and other Corporate Members.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) nominated Dean Ford to serve as one of its representatives on the Joint Commission board. His three-year term began on January 1.
“I am deeply honored to join the Board of Commissioners of The Joint Commission, an organization synonymous with advancing excellence in patient care,” said Dean Ford, who is the immediate past president of the ACS.
Best Practices Improve Safety and Quality
Dean Ford noted that UHealth – University of Miami Health System takes pride in having earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in 2022. This reflects the health system’s commitment to using best practices to improve safety and quality for patients, staff and community.
The Joint Commission’s hospital accreditation standards number more than 250 and address up-to-date quality measures. The guidelines cover patient rights and education, infection control, medication management, and preventing medical errors. They look at how hospitals verify that their doctors, nurses and other staff are qualified and competent, how they prepare for emergencies, and how they collect and use performance data to improve patient outcomes.
Dean Ford and the other board members work with Joint Commission Enterprise President and CEO Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D., M.S.H.A., to make strides in strategic priority areas.
“In today’s complex health care landscape, accountability and objective evaluation are more crucial than ever,” Dean Ford said. “I am honored to contribute to this vital mission and collaborate with this esteemed group to lead meaningful change.” 
