Allegheny Health Network Establishes the ‘Dr. David Blandino Distinguished Excellence’ Award for Health Care Quality and Safety

Pittsburgh, Pa. - Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced the creation of the Dr. David Blandino Distinguished Excellence in Quality/Safety/Value (QSV) Award, a new annual honor recognizing physicians who exemplify Dr. Blandino's profound dedication to driving health care quality and improving health outcomes. 

This award serves as a tribute to the late Dr. Blandino and his legacy of unwavering dedication to patient quality and exceptional health outcomes throughout his distinguished career. As a family physician, through his service on the AHN and Highmark Health boards, and through his pioneering work on AHN's QSV committee, he is the embodiment of Highmark Health's values.

Dr. Blandino passed away in September 2025.

AHN also proudly announced the award's inaugural recipients: Tariq Cheema, MD, System Division Director for AHN Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, and Morgan Mihok, MD, Quality Officer for the Division of Geriatrics.

Dr. Cheema's transformative initiatives have led to measurable improvements in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) outcomes, reductions in length of stay, and decreased mortality indices at AHN. Dr. Cheema's dedication to patient-centered care and his collaborative approach foster a culture of safety, accountability, and innovation, in keeping with the spirit of the award.

Dr. Mihok's efforts to advance quality and safety in her geriatric medicine specialty have led to meaningful and measurable improvements at AHN. Her focus on this vulnerable population, exemplified by her leadership in system-wide delirium screening and the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), has dramatically improved patient well-being and reduced costs.

Recipients were selected through a rigorous nomination and review process. A multidisciplinary screening committee evaluated nominees based on leadership attributes and measurable enterprise impact.

Dr. Cheema and Dr. Mihok will each receive $25,000 to advance their initiatives within AHN. 

"The establishment of this award is a meaningful way to honor Dr. Blandino's extraordinary legacy and his passion for patient-centered leadership," said Tony Farah, MD, Chief Medical and Clinical Transformation Officer, Highmark Health. "Dr. Cheema and Dr. Mihok exemplify the spirit of continuous improvement and excellence that Dr. Blandino championed throughout his career. Their leadership ensures that David's vision lives on in the care we deliver every day."