Dr. Michael Handler, vice president of medical affairs and CMO for SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., is the new medical director of the Jefferson City, Mo.-based Center for Patient Safety.

Handler, 52, has been serving as chair of the hospital committee for the private, not-for-profit center. In his new role, he will act as a liaison between the CPS and the physician community, according to a CPS news release.

The Center for Patient Safety was established by the Missouri Hospital Association, the Missouri State Medical Association and Primaris; it aims to serve as a resource to providers, payers, consumers and other healthcare stakeholders for improving patient safety and the quality of healthcare delivery, according to the CPS website.

Handler has worked as a physician in Missouri since 1985 and operated a private obstetrics and gynecology practice before joining SSM. Becky Miller, executive director of the Center for Patient Safety, said Handler "has shown a deep appreciation and understanding of patient safety and how important it is to spread this culture across all healthcare settings."