David Classen, MD

Dr. Classen received his bachelorís and MD degrees from the University of Virginia, undertook postgraduate training in internal medicine at the University of Connecticut, and an infectious diseases fellowship at the University of Utah. He then obtained a masterís degree in medical informatics, also from the University of Utah. As an assistant and currently associate professor of medicine, he undertook a series of studies of adverse drug effects and medication safety, and helped develop computerized decision support tools for antibiotic selection that have had sustained impacts on improving outcomes and shortening inpatient length of stay. These studies have been widely cited in the national dialog regarding reduction of medical errors. In 1997 he was named Intermountain Health Careís Researcher of the Year, and in 2000 he joined First Consulting Group and there leads their safety and health care quality initiatives and consulting practice. His contributions to building programs that measure and improve the quality and safety of health care are recognized by his election to fellowship in the College.