Kathy Helak is the Assistant Vice President for Patient Safety at Inova Health System in northern Virginia, boasting over 25 years of expertise as a Quality and Patient Safety Leader. With a background as a Critical Care Nurse and later as a Nurse Executive and Safety Expert Consultant, Kathy has dedicated her career to ensuring safe and reliable patient care. Grounded in safety science, she champions teamwork, shared accountability, and fostering healthy work environments to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Kathy holds a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Rochester and a master’s in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Certified Professional in Patient Safety, and a distinguished Master TeamSTEPPS Trainer and Influencer.