Valerie Vaughn, MD, MS, SFHM, FACP, Associate Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Director of Clinical Research for the Department of Internal Medicine, has been selected as the inaugural appointee to The Bertram H. and Janet M. Schaap, Presidential Endowed Chair in honor of John Holbrook, MD.
Recently awarded tenure in the Department of Internal Medicine, Vaughn has made significant strides in research, education, and patient care. She has received multiple prestigious national grants funding her research group and was selected as a 2023-2024 Scholar of the National Academy of Medicine Scholars in Diagnostic Excellence. As Director of Hospital Medicine Research at University of Utah Health, she has dedicated herself to enhancing the care and treatment of hospital patients. Her current research focuses on improving hospital medicine practices to reduce antibiotic over-prescription.
In addition to her research efforts, Vaughn is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring. In 2020, she began the Utah Quality Advancement Laboratory (UQuAL) Scholars program which mentors faculty on conducting research to improve inpatient care. These activities exemplify the values of the Bertram H. and Janet M. Schaap Presidential Endowed Chair.
Mr. and Mrs. Schaap established the Presidential Endowed Chair in recognition of the consummate care they received by John Holbrook, MD, in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Over many years, Bert and Janet developed a close personal relationship with Holbrook, and can think of no better way to honor him than by creating this chair as a lasting legacy in the Division of General Internal Medicine. The Schaaps intend this Presidential Endowed Chair to support, encourage, and continue research in general internal medicine. When asked about the care that she and her husband received from Holbrook, Janet said, “we were more than grateful for the help that John gave us.” This is one of two presidential-endowed chairs recently established by Janet Schaap to honor the great care they’ve received at University of Utah Health. The other Presidential Endowed Chair is in the Department of Dermatology in honor of John Zone, MD.
Bert Schaap was a pillar of the Salt Lake Community and worked as an accomplished Stock Broker at Kidder Peabody for nearly two decades. Mr. and Mrs. Schaap’s positive contributions to the community include service on the Board of the Utah Symphony, the University of Utah School of Music Advisory Board, and the University of Utah Medical School Health Science Council.
The selection of Vaughn as the inaugural appointee to this endowed chair is a testament to her exceptional dedication and contributions to improving hospital patient care. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the continued impact of her work.