Harnessing the Power of Quality Improvement Science to Optimize Healthcare
"Every system is perfectly designed to get the result that it does."
- W. Edwards Deming
About Kristen M.J. Azar PhD RN MSN/MPH FAHA CPHQ
Personal Statement
I am a healthcare quality professional, nurse leader, and epidemiologist with nearly 20 years of experience advancing quality improvement, evidence-informed practice, and system performance across complex care settings. I currently serve as the inaugural Vice President of Quality and Performance Excellence at Institute on Aging (IOA) in San Francisco, where we are building a comprehensive quality and performance excellence program to support IOA’s mission and contribute to reimagining how aging services are designed, delivered, and evaluated. I also serve as as an adjunct professor at the UCSF in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics as well as faculty with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
My work sits at the intersection of quality improvement , equity, and implementation science—focused on translating data into action, embedding accountability into organizational systems, and ensuring that improvement efforts meaningfully improve people’s lives. Over my career, I have secured federal and non-federal funding and authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, experiences that continue to inform my approach to building practical, scalable quality infrastructure grounded in real-world impact.
At IOA, my aspiration is to help advance a learning organization that not only delivers exceptional services locally, but also contributes to the national conversation on how we can ensure older adults age well, with dignity, choice, and a high quality of life in their communities.
Curriculum Vitae
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications
This section features a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV), offering a detailed overview of my professional accomplishments, educational background, research experience, leadership roles and training, publications and professional activities.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications
This section highlights my peer-reviewed publications. The bibliography includes topics of chronic disease prevention and management, social drivers of health, and the application of quality improvement science in clinical and community settings. Visitors can explore this section to gain a deeper understanding of the scholarly foundation that supports my work.