Leslie Carranza, M.D.

Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology

What moment or experience in your life influenced your decision to be a clinician?

It’s been quite some time since I've reflected on this. To be honest, there wasn’t a single defining moment that led me toward medicine. In college, I enjoyed my biological sciences coursework and thought becoming a physician would be a great achievement — especially since no one in my family had ever done so. Looking back, I probably didn't fully understand what I was getting into and lacked a clear reason for choosing medicine.

Now, after 20 years in clinical practice, I can't imagine doing anything else. It has truly been a privilege and an honor to be an OB-GYN physician. Caring for, supporting and advocating for women's health has become a passion of mine. I believe I made a fortunate guess and got lucky.

What motivated you to become a Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar?

The OB-GYN department at Mayo Clinic has a rich history of quality improvement and innovation, with many staff members actively engaged in the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery. Through them, I discovered the center's impressive resources. I had always aspired to receive advanced training in quality improvement research and outcomes — including dedicated time and support — and was amazed to find such a program available to staff. After spending over 14 months working on my proposal, I completed a test pilot project within the OB-GYN department to ensure a solid application. I believe the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery offers Mayo Clinic a unique opportunity to revolutionize patient care in unexplored ways.

What is your focus and goal as a scholar within the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery?

My project aims to enhance communication and institutional processes with patients, families and healthcare staff following adverse events and medical errors. Such processes, known nationally as communication and resolution programs, involve navigating complex and sensitive conversations that require specialized training in best practices. It is essential for hospitals to have a highly reliable process to manage these situations, support their staff, and rebuild trust with patients and families.

My research team is developing a blueprint for departments and divisions to integrate principles of accountability, compassion and transparency with patients and families. Additionally, we're providing staff members with training on best practices and peer support, incorporating Mayo Clinic's Just Culture Principles during event reviews to ensure comprehensive support for all involved.

Tell us about your mentoring team.

My clinical mentor is Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D., a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a subspecialty in gynecologic oncology. She holds several prominent leadership roles at Mayo Clinic, especially in surgical quality, and currently serves as chair of the Surgical Quality Subcommittee. She also manages several gynecologic cancer research grants that are funded by the National Institutes of Health.

My research mentor is Heather J. Carmack, Ph.D., a professor of health services research in the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery. She has extensive expertise in communication science and employs qualitative, quantitative and rhetorical approaches to analyze communication interactions, organizational documents and policies.

How will your research improve patient care or impact public health?

Expanding communication and resolution programs has the potential to significantly transform patient care and public health by embedding transparency, empathy and systemic learning into the response to adverse events and medical errors. A structured, patient-paced reconciliation process — such as bedside communication and formal resolution meetings — can rebuild trust, reduce emotional harm and improve patient satisfaction. The programs also provide training in compassionate communication, while supporting staff through high-stress events and creating scalable models for broader institutional adoption.

The public health impact is significant. The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has identified communication and resolution programs as a key initiative for advancing patient safety. Proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Patient Safety Structural Measures include requirements for hospitals to implement these programs. This shift would enhance institutional accountability, reduce litigation risk, improve clinician and staff well-being, and promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement. Ultimately, communication and resolution program expansion aligns with Mayo Clinic's core values of respect, integrity and healing, ensuring that the institution supports both patients and providers in the aftermath of these difficult events.

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic to pursue your career?

I chose Mayo Clinic because of its unwavering commitment to patient-centered care and its culture of continuous learning and innovation. The institution's primary value — "The needs of the patient come first" — is not just a motto but a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of care delivery and professional collaboration. As a physician deeply invested in quality improvement and communication-and-resolution practices, I was drawn to Mayo's integrated, team-based approach and its emphasis on ethical leadership, transparency and system-level learning. The opportunity to work alongside nationally recognized experts, contribute to meaningful change, and be part of a community that values both clinical excellence and human connection made Mayo Clinic the ideal place for me to grow and serve.

Tell us three words that describe you.

Passionate, direct, unconventional.

Outside of work, what is one thing you like to do?

Reading and weightlifting.