Dr. Deirdre Mccaughey

Biography

Deirdre McCaughey is an Associate Professor in the Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, Canada. Before taking up her role in Calgary, she was on the healthcare management faculty at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Deirdre was appointed the inaugural Program Director for UAB’s graduate programs in Healthcare Quality & Safety, where she helped build the certificate and Master’s degree programs. Her extensive background includes work as a physical therapist at St Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, as well as leadership roles in the retail and private sectors and independent consulting for various organizations, including the Canadian Federal Government and ARAMARK Healthcare. The overarching theme of her research investigates structural factors—such as systems processes, leadership, and organizational culture—that influence patient and family access, outcomes, organizational effectiveness, and healthcare provider wellness. Her expertise in quality improvement has made her a key member of the Family Caregivers Studies team, focused on understanding the challenges faced by family caregivers of persons living with dementia, particularly in light of post-pandemic system gaps and resource access variations. Deirdre is actively involved in several professional organizations, including serving as a Board Member for the National Association for Healthcare Quality and chairing the Certification Review Committee for Population Health.

Research Interests

Awards