Ihab Dorotta, MD, Loma Linda University Medical Center's Chief of Quality and Patient Safety, has received national recognition as one of Becker's Hospital Review's 2026 "145 Patient Safety Experts to Know." The Becker's list recognizes experts whose focus is ensuring every patient receives safe, effective care. Their work touches every corner of the care continuum, from preventable harm reduction and complex disease management to disaster preparedness.

Serving as chief of quality and patient safety in 2017, Dorotta sets the strategic direction for Loma Linda University Health's systemwide quality and safety programs. Under his leadership, LLUH's quality team follows a series of detailed protocols designed to minimize errors and enhance favorable outcomes. Dorotta and his team devote much time and energy to uncovering root causes of complications and how the organization can improve. He actively engages with the entire healthcare team to infuse the organization's commitment to safety and quality across every department and service.

"Ihab Dorotta's leadership has shaped a culture at Loma Linda University Health where safety is a responsibility shared by everyone," said Anthony Hilliard, MD, FACC, LLUH President-Elect and CEO of Loma Linda University Health Hospitals. "He does his work with humility, compassion, and personal accountability, enabling our employees to understand where there are opportunities to improve, then engaging them to find real solutions."

Under Dr. Dorotta's leadership, Loma Linda University Medical Center regularly receives some of the best quality ratings in the country. Loma Linda University Medical Center and East Campus have received Leapfrog "A" Safety Grades for 15 and 16 consecutive reporting cycles, respectively. Loma Linda University Children's Hospital has received the Leapfrog Top Children's Hospital award in 7 of the last 9 years.

His leadership also helped raise the hospital's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services quality rating to 4 stars. The improvement resulted from reducing hospital-acquired infections and other inpatient complications. His team's efforts also led to reduced readmissions, increased patient satisfaction, and significantly better performance on quality pay-for-performance programs. These quality improvements have improved patient outcomes and have produced significant monetary savings for the institution.

Dorotta says this recognition reflects his team's devotion and the administration's vision for the best possible life-saving care.

"It has been an honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with physicians, nurses and experts to help bring in tremendous results that at the end of the day meet our top priority: saving the lives of our patients through a safe hospital environment," Dorotta says. "We will continue to raise the standard of patient safety and care and be known as an institution that delivers world-class care."