Joey Mazzola, MD, a second-year psychiatry resident, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 UW Medical Center Patient Safety Hero Award. The award is given to faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to intervene on behalf of patients. Dr. Mazzola exemplifies excellence in dedication to patient care as exemplified in this excerpt from his nomination:

“I have not seen a resident more dedicated to patient safety than Joey Mazzola. Once, he took care of patient J – unhoused, her schizophrenia decompensated, her reality skewed from substances, her cognition just intact enough to refuse the care she needed. Joey made it a priority that she safely discharge to a supportive environment. However, he took it a step further. He coordinated resources for her, checked in on her when appropriate, and identified community champions to help her safely make it to walk-in appointments. Without Joey’s tender care for a human in need and a penchant for understanding safety in the long term, J would not have succeeded in the way she has today.”