Givens honored with Founders Award from accreditation group
Raquel Givens, PhD, the associate dean of curricular affairs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, received the Founders Award from the Accreditation Preparation and Quality Improvement organization during its annual meeting late last year.
The award recognizes Givens’ role in founding APQI in 2017. APQI has grown into a national nonprofit representing over 90% of medical schools in the United States.
Raquel Givens, PhD
Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez, U of A Health Sciences Office of Communications
“Receiving the APQI Founders Award is a deeply meaningful acknowledgment of my contributions to the field of accreditation and quality improvement,” said Givens, who joined the U of A in 1996 and the College of Medicine – Tucson in 2003. “It reflects the values of collaboration and excellence that I strive to bring to my work at the College of Medicine – Tucson. This recognition highlights the national impact of our efforts and affirms the importance of fostering innovation and advancing medical education.”
According to the APQI website, the organization is a “community of practice” group that supports professionals who are involved in accreditation and quality improvement for undergraduate medical education programs. It offers support to members through advocacy, professional development, scholarship, collaboration and innovation.
“I can think of no other person more deserving of this award than Dr. Raquel Givens,” said Kevin F. Moynahan, MD, vice dean of medical education and professor of medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson. “Dr. Givens is an instrumental leader at the College of Medicine – Tucson and oversaw our recent successful Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation. This award recognizes the national impact that her work has had on the accreditation process.”
As a founding member of APQI, Givens said her role has been focused on promoting collaboration among accreditation professionals, developing best practices and driving systemic improvements in medical education. In her role at the college, she focuses on curriculum design and development as well as medical educator development, program evaluation and assessments, and monitoring accreditation compliance and quality improvement.
“The support of the College of Medicine – Tucson and U of A Health Sciences has provided me with the collaborative environment and resources needed to excel in accreditation and quality improvement,” said Givens. “This support has been critical in fostering innovation, enabling professional growth and contributing to national advancements through organizations like APQI. I am so proud to be part of this community and our program, as well as to support incredible MedCat students like ours.”
As an undergrad, Givens completed her premed coursework in molecular and cellular biology. However, she discovered her true passion was in medical education. She holds a PhD in higher education/higher education administration from the U of A.
“I realized that the greatest impact I could make on the field of medicine was by dedicating my talents, skills and time to medical education,” said Givens. “My mission is to foster transformative leaders who will revolutionize our health care system by delivering compassionate, person-centered care to Arizona’s diverse patient population.”