A LETTER FROM OUR CEO
"Preventable medical errors kill up to an estimated 100,000 Americans a year. That is the equivalent of a passenger plane crashing every day for a year with no survivors.
Imagine how quickly the entire aviation industry would screech to a halt if planes crashed two days in a row. Imagine the trauma and public outcry that would follow such a situation. Yet we accept these preventable fatalities in our healthcare institutions every day, with alarming complacency about patient safety and a deafening silence about the prevalence of preventable harm. Prior to joining ECRI, I practiced as an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist. I also served as a senior leader at various medical device and pharmaceutical companies. As my career progressed, I was increasingly alarmed not only at the prevalence of preventable harm – but the impact of often profit-driven voices in the delivery of care, be it on the industry or provider side.
These experiences brought me to ECRI. As an independent nonprofit organization, ECRI’s only agenda is to improve how healthcare is delivered and make it safer, more efficient, and more equitable. ECRI’s work is grounded in creating systemic, cultural change in healthcare institutions to reduce preventable harm, allow for evidence-based best practice, make health inequities visible and improve patient care and safety. In pursuit of ECRI’s mission – to advance effective, evidence-based healthcare globally – I’m passionate about key aspects of health care delivery which are often overlooked: health equity, data-driven insights, and human factors engineering.
Healthcare has experienced an immense amount of change. Now more than ever, providers need evidence-based solutions to improve patient outcomes and streamline the delivery of care. We appeal to all stakeholders involved to come together to break the cone of silence and acknowledge the problems we are experiencing. Although the challenges we face are daunting, our strong global partnerships are paving the way for the dawning of a new day in healthcare – a day free of preventable harm.
Like other practitioners, I went into medicine to help people. Every physician swore an oath to “do no harm” – including me – and yet harm happens every day in healthcare. This oath and my essential belief in humanity is what inspires me to lead ECRI. I have the privilege to work alongside an outstanding group of colleagues on a mission to address systemic issues in global healthcare; to have a positive impact in healthcare far beyond what I ever could have imagined as an individual practitioner. The journey to eliminating preventable patient harm and ensuring equitable access to care begins with acknowledging we have a problem. We simply cannot accept the status quo.
I call upon all healthcare industry leaders to reimagine their approach to safety and commit to achieve zero preventable harm and equitable access to care for all. Let’s start now, together!
Marcus Schabacker
President & CEO, ECRI
BIOGRAPHY
Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD
Dr. Marcus Schabacker became president and chief executive officer of ECRI in January 2018. Dr. Schabacker is a board-certified anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist with more than 35 years of healthcare experience in complex global environments, and more than 20 years of senior leadership responsibilities serving the medical device and pharmaceutical industries across the healthcare value chain.
Thought Leadership
“Cranial electrical stimulation has been studied since the 60's, but until now there hasn't been sufficient evidence showing that it's a successful treatment option for anxiety… But new research sheds light on this treatment as a way to relieve anxiety symptoms. It's exciting to see we now have a body of work that presents evidence of its effectiveness.”
Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD
Press Coverage
Dr. Schabacker is often called upon to share insights with national news media and healthcare industry publications.
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
How hospitals can prevent harmful surgery error
Stronger oversight of AI needed in medical devices, ECRI CEO says | MedTech Dive
Vital signs vs dollar signs: Telemetry monitoring | NBC NEWS
Anti-obesity meds: How will we afford them? | USA TODAY
Healthcare is in crisis: Health workers strike | CNN
To request an interview, email YRhodes@ECRI.org.
Speaking Engagements
Dr. Schabacker is frequently invited to share thought leadership and ECRI’s unique industry insights at conferences and events.
- Patient Safety Movement Foundation – Patient Safety, Science & Tech Summit – The Role of the Board and C-Suite in Fostering a Culture of Safety (September 6-7, 2024)
- Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) – Total Systems Approach to Patient Safety – Masterclass for ACHS Members (July 16, 2024)
- Florida Hospital Association – FHA Quality and Patient Safety Conference – Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns and Strategies for Hospitals (June 21, 2024)
- Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH) – HOW HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS CAN PREPARE FOR THE IMMINENT THREAT OF CYBERSECURITY ATTACKS (June 20, 2024)
- Medical Professional Liability Association – THE POWER OF AI: HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE AND THE MPL INSURANCE INDUSTRY (May 9, 2024)
- Kaiser Permanente – KEEPING PATIENTS AND CLINICIANS SAFE FROM HARM (May 1, 2024)
- Travelers Institute – INSURING INNOVATION: LIFE SCIENCES AND THE P&C INSURANCE INDUSTRY (January 17, 2024)
Request Dr. Schabacker as a speaker