Creating Pockets of Excellence: Improving Sepsis Programs Through Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration and Physician Champions

Michelle Evans, RN, MSN, NP-C, obtained her associate's degree in nursing in 1999 and her bachelor of science in nursing in 2007, both from Walsh University. She earned her master's in advanced practice nursing in 2010 from Malone University and is board-certified through the ANCC as a family nurse practitioner. Her clinical background is critical care/rapid response and hospitalist medicine. She carried her CCRN Certification through the AACN from 2005 - 2017, and is trained in fundamentals of critical care support through the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Michelle discovered her passion for sepsis care while serving as the Intensivist Program Coordinator for Aultman Hospital from 2002-2009. She is currently employed at Summa Health System as the Sepsis Program Coordinator, a program/role created in January, 2021. Michelle resides in Canton, Ohio, with her husband Dave, and Luke, her youngest of three sons.

Michael Chandler, MD, earned his doctor of medicine from the Ohio State University and completed his pulmonary/critical care fellowship at the University of Nebraska. He currently works at the Summa Health System in Akron and Barberton, Ohio, serving as the Medical Director of the medical intensive care unit. Dr. Chandler has been actively involved in improving sepsis care at Summa, and serves as one of the ICU Sepsis Physician Champions.

Quentin Reuter, MD, earned his bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his doctor of medicine from Vanderbilt University. He completed his residency at Northwestern University. He is currently employed by US Acute Care Solutions, working at Summa Health System in Akron and Barberton, Ohio as an emergency room physician. At Summa, her serves as a member of the core faculty, CDU Medical Director, and the emergency department representative for the Summa Sepsis QI Initiative. He is actively involved in the improvement of sepsis care at Summa as the ED Sepsis Physician Champion. Dr. Reuter lives in Youngstown, Ohio, with his wife and children.

Spike McCorcle, MD, earned his doctor of medicine from the Northeast Ohio Medical University and is board-certified in internal medicine. He is employed at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio, currently serving as a member of the core faculty and clinical teaching faculty for the internal medicine residency. Dr. McCorcle has over 16 years of clinical and administrative experience ranging from emergency technician patient care, laboratory services, coordination with subacute and long-term care facilities, patient services, process improvement, outreach, and nursing education, and is now actively involved in direct patient care and the education and training of the next generation of medical practitioners. Dr. McCorcle has seen the impact of severe illness on patients, caregivers, healthcare workers, and the healthcare system as a whole. As Summa’s inpatient/residency Sepsis Physician Champion, he understands that early recognition and treatment of sepsis is a vital step in improving the outcomes of both patients and the healthcare system. He resides with Lindsay, his wife of 15 years, and their three children.

Gwen Hughes, MD, earned her doctor of medicine from Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. She has been employed at Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio, for many years as a critical care hospitalist. She also leads the line team/TPN service. Dr. Hughes is considered a mentor by colleagues and staff alike, and is actively involved in sepsis education for residents when they begin their ICU rotations. Dr. Hughes has long been active in the improvement of sepsis care at Summa, and serves as one of the ICU Sepsis Physician Champions.