(ACPE: Tampa, FL) -- The American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) and Thomas Jefferson University School of Population Health in Philadelphia are teaming up to offer an important new advanced degree aimed at physicians who want to improve the quality of health care.

The degree—a master of science in health care quality and safety management—will prepare physicians and others in the medical industry to be leaders and advocates in the effort to make health care more cost-efficient and safer.

Dr. David B. Nash, dean of Jefferson’s School of Population Health and an ACPE instructor for nearly two decades, said the time is right for a master’s degree in quality and safety, especially with the current push toward higher quality care in health care reform. “Reform is making the notion of measurement and accountability front and center,” says Nash. “There’s no denying those concepts are going to be more important than ever.”

Nash, who has taught courses on quality and patient safety for almost 20 years for ACPE, said the science has also matured.

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