NAHQ

AzAHQ | Perspectives in Transitions of Care
2025-08-26 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
This session will summarize why ongoing collaboration between acute and post-acute care settings is important to ensure effective communication to identify common drivers for readmissions, including conditions most frequently related to readmissions, such as sepsis and heart failure. The session will close with sharing tools and resources to assist your organization
in your care coordination and quality improvement efforts.

PAHQ | The Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2025: Managing the Risks Associated with AI and Other Hazards
2025-09-10 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Health technologies play a critical role in patient care—but they also can be a key contributor to adverse events if organizations do not proactively identify possible sources of danger or difficulty with those technologies and take steps to minimize the risks.
This session will inform participants about several high-impact health technology hazards and help them develop action plans for creating a safer healthcare environment using a Total Systems Safety approach. Participants will learn about the topics that ECRI selected for its 2025 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report, along with practical recommendations for reducing the incidence of preventable harm.
Artificial intelligence (AI)—specifically the risks associated with AI-enabled health technologies—will be a particular area of focus. While AI offers tremendous promise, improved outcomes are not guaranteed. Factors related to the design of the AI model, the target population on which it will be used, and performance variations over time create the potential for preventable harm. Further, AI solutions can yield disappointing results if organizations have unrealistic expectations, fail to define goals, or provide insufficient governance and oversight. Panelists will discuss these and other issues and will outline strategies for mitigating risks.

NCAHQ | Leveraging QI Tools to Improve Personal Health
2025-09-16 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Hosted by the North Carolina Association for Healthcare Quality (NCAHQ). This webinar explores how principles of Quality Improvement (QI)—traditionally used in healthcare systems—can be adapted for personal and professional self-care practices. There will also be a discussion on how to use data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement frameworks to create and evaluate a customized self‑care plan.

MAHQ | Breaking Down Barriers in ED Efficiency - Movement is Progress
2025-09-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
During the session, participants will learn to:

Understand key principles for implementing change in high-acuity settings
Apply evidence-based strategies to lead and sustain ED improvements
Identify and overcome common barriers to patient flow
Explore innovative models that enhance ED efficiency and staff support
Improve patient experience through timely transactions and clear communication

Medisolv | Medisolv Healthcare Reporting Conference (HERE)
2025-09-24 10:00 - 2025-09-25 15:00 (America/Chicago)
The HERE Conference is Medisolv’s annual virtual event for healthcare quality leaders who refuse to settle for “good enough.” Over two days, you’ll hear from national voices like NAHQ and The Leapfrog Group, alongside Medisolv’s clinical and data experts. Sessions will spotlight the 2026 CMS changes, showcase new solution features, and reveal the strategies leading organizations are using to outperform the nation.
From interactive workshops to breakout tracks for hospitals, ACOs, ambulatory practices, and public reputation management, you’ll gain practical tactics to streamline reporting, elevate performance, and embed a culture of quality that drives measurable outcomes. Whether you’re a long-time Medisolv customer or exploring new ways to strengthen your quality program, HERE is your chance to connect, learn, and leave inspired to raise the bar—because when quality is the foundation, everything else gets stronger.

NAHQ Learning Lab - The Role of Human Factors in Patient Safety Culture
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Chicago)
Speaker(s): Ellen Evans, MN, MPH, RN, CPHQ, CJCP, CPPS
Director of Accreditation and Patient Safety
Northside Hospital
Understanding the concepts of Human Factors is imperative to building safe processes for both patients and staff. The concept of the Dirty Dozen from the Federal Aviation Administration provides a solid foundation for understanding human factors and identifying ways to increase the safety of our processes. The twelve concepts include: fatigue, stress, complacency, communication, awareness, distraction, lack of knowledge, teamwork, lack of resources, pressure, lack of assertiveness, and norms.
Case studies discussed in this Learning Lab will demonstrate how human factors can be used as educational frameworks for staff as well as serve a basic foundation for root cause analysis and understanding how events occur. Don’t miss live Q&A with the presenter for your chance to explore the topic more thoroughly and get your questions answered.
Learning Objectives:

Apply case study outcomes of human factors analysis to individual events at their individual settings
Discuss how to appreciate the value of human factors in engineering and applying safe processes and procedures
Relate the interconnectedness of human factors to process improvement activities to ensure a culture of patient safety and positive outcomes for patients

By becoming a NAHQ member, you will receive complimentary access to all NAHQ Learning Labs. View other upcoming events.

NAHQ: CPHQ Virtual Instructor-Led Review Course
2025-10-03 09:00 - 2025-10-17 11:00 (America/Chicago)
NAHQ’s virtual, instructor led CPHQ Review Course connects you with expert instructors in an online classroom setting and is designed to support those planning to take the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality® (CPHQ) Certification Examination. Based on the current CPHQ content outline, this course provides a review of essential healthcare quality concepts and offers valuable tips on how to best prepare for the exam.
Courses include interactive lectures, quizzing, live Q&A, and inter-session activities, all focused on building your knowledge of the CPHQ content areas and helping you get ready for the exam. Note that session recordings are not included with course materials; please plan to prioritize attendance for all sessions.
Course Schedule: October 3 – 17
The times shown below are in Central time. Please use this helpful time zone converter (https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com) to see when sessions will start and end for you.
October 3 – course introduction and platform walk through: 9 – 11 AM
October 6 – 10 – classroom sessions: 9 – 11 AM
October 13-17– classroom sessions: 9 – 11 AM
The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is accredited as a provider of Continuing Education (CE). NAHQ’s educational products are an optional resource for Healthcare Quality Professionals seeking education and training in NAHQ’s domain areas.
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Virginia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. There are no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those with the ability to control the content of this activity. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for completion of this activity until November 14, 2027.
Criteria for successful completion requires completion of each session module within the program along with submission of the post-course evaluation.

View other upcoming events.

Foundation for Healthcare Quality | 22nd Annual Northwest Patient Safety Conference
2025-10-16 10:00 - 2025-10-17 15:00 (America/Chicago)
The Washington Patient Safety Coalition, Health Quality BC and Oregon Patient Safety Commission present the 22nd annual Northwest Patient Safety Conference on October 16-17, 2025. It unites healthcare professionals, providers, patients, families, and caregivers in all care settings from all over the world.
The theme is “Navigating Rough Seas.” The conference will provide insight, actionable tools, and techniques to help us address a new level of complexity: an environment of uncertainty, distrust, and resource obstacles.
The conference includes 14-hours of live sessions, entirely virtual. The presentations are recorded and available to attendees for a year.

WAHQ | Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Across the Continuum of Care
2025-10-17 09:00 - 16:15 (America/Chicago)
This one day conference offers opportunities to learn and network with healthcare quality professionals. Agenda highlights:
• Innovative Strides: Advancing Acute Care through a Regional Mobility Initiative
• Early Identification of Sepsis: Pre-Sepsis in Wound Patients
• Managing Our Population: Public Health Communication Across the Continuum
• Healthcare Well-being – Putting People First: Supporting Teams to Deliver
Quality Outcomes
• State of the State – Quality and Legislative Healthcare Updates

AzAHQ | Navigating the Changing Healthcare Environment
2025-10-17 10:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Dive into the role of data analytics in quality management. Showcase tools and techniques for leveraging data to drive continuous improvement and decision-making.

AzAHQ | Lead with Purpose: Discover Your Why and Activate Your Strengths
2025-10-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
In a world where complexity and change are constant, the most effective leaders aren’t those with all the answers. They are the ones who know who they are and lead from that place of clarity. This dynamic and reflective session is designed to help you uncover your personal leadership “why” and align it with your natural strengths. Rooted in Simon Sinek’s Start With Why and Gallup’s Strengths Finder, this session invites you to look inward in order to lead outward, more purposefully, confidently, and effectively.

Free for members of AzAHQ, FAHQ, MAHQ, NCAHQ, NEAHQ, OAHQ, OrAHQ, TGCAHQ, and UAHQ

NAHQ Learning Lab - Leading Through Change: Positioning Your Organization for Success in the CMS Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM)
2025-11-05 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaker: Patricia Resnik, MJ, MBA, RRT, FACHE, CPHQ, CHC, CHPC, CMAC
NAHQ Board President
Compliance Officer, HealPros
CMS’s Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) performance year 1 begins January 1, 2026, and will significantly reshape how quality, outcomes, and accountability are measured in healthcare. This webinar brings the TEAM model into focus at a critical moment, giving quality professionals the knowledge and tools they need to prepare for what’s ahead. Participants will gain insights into how quality data drives success under TEAM, the workforce skills required for implementation, and strategies for positioning their organizations to lead in this new era. With the launch date fast approaching, now is the time to understand TEAM’s impact and strategically prepare for this transformational value-based care model.
Learning Objectives:

Summarize the goals, structure, and key components of CMS’s TEAM model and why it represents a transformative shift in payment and delivery.
Analyze how quality data is integrated into the TEAM model and its role in improving outcomes and reducing costs.
Assess the impact of TEAM on the healthcare quality workforce and identify the leadership skills needed for successful implementation.
Envision future opportunities and innovations under TEAM to position their organizations for long-term success.
Understand the resources available at the National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) to support organizations in creating robust strategies for driving successful quality and financial outcomes in value-based care models.

By becoming a NAHQ member, you will receive complimentary access to all NAHQ Learning Labs. View other upcoming events.

OrAHQ | CPHQ Review Course
2025-11-06 11:00 - 2025-11-07 17:30 (America/Chicago)
This is a review session for healthcare quality professionals who are preparing for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam, or who want to expand their existing quality management skills. Attendees will be able to identify areas within the CPHQ certification content outline where they are strong in their knowledge and where they are weak, and thus require further study, knowledge, and/or experience prior to taking the CPHQ certification exam.

NAHQ Learning Lab - Joint Commission’s Accreditation 360: Turning Standards into Strategies for Quality and Safety
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaker(s): Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN
Executive Vice President, Accreditation and Certification Operations (ACO) and Chief Nursing Officer
Joint Commission

Robert Campbell, PharmD, BCSCP
Sr. Director, Standards Interpretation, Accreditation, Decision Management, Medication Safety – Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations
Joint Commission

Join Joint Commission for an insightful discussion on the future of accreditation and its continued impact on advancing Quality and Safety in healthcare. With Accreditation 360 standards going into effect on January 1, 2026, healthcare quality professionals are critical leaders in conveying the importance of the changes in driving quality and safety while reducing the burden created through complex requirements. This webinar will focus on how to prepare proactively, positioning quality leaders to drive organizational transformation and measurable improvement. Participants will explore how to apply Accreditation 360’s performance-based standards to advance patient safety, engage the workforce, and deliver sustainable outcomes.
Learning Objectives:

Translate Accreditation 360 changes and standards into actionable readiness strategies that extend beyond compliance checklists.
Develop proactive plans that position healthcare quality professionals as leaders in organizational transformation.
Apply Accreditation 360’s performance-based, data-driven model to strengthen patient safety, workforce engagement, and measurable quality outcomes.

By becoming a NAHQ member, you will receive complimentary access to all NAHQ Learning Labs. View other upcoming events.

OrAHQ | Ethics and Compliance of AI Use in Healthcare Settings Part I
2025-12-07 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
This is the first webinar in a 3-part series considering the role of Ethics and Compliance when considering the use of AI in a healthcare setting. Part I will distinguish between ethics and compliance when considering AI use, review the regulatory landscape surrounding AI use in healthcare, and discuss how to conduct a risk assessment specific to AI use in healthcare. Cost is free to members of the following organizations: MAHQ, OrAHQ, AZAHQ, NEAHQ, OAHQ, UAHQ, TGCAHQ, NCAHQ, FAHQ; $25 for all others.

NAHQ Learning Lab - Energizing Direct Report Rounding: A Key Tool in High Reliability Organizing
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaker(s): Elaine J. Huggins, RN, MSN, CPHQ, LSS Master Black Belt
QSI Consultant VI, National HRO Consultant
Kaiser Permanente

Celine Gray, MBA, LSSBB, CPXP
Quality Safety Improvement Consultant VI, National Care Experience
Daily Management System and KP Rounding National Lead
Kaiser Permanente
Consistent, high-quality direct reporting is a cornerstone of a High Reliability Organization—but how can leaders ensure it’s done effectively across teams? In this interactive Learning Lab, experts from Kaiser Permanente will share how they used the Direct Report Rounding Experience Survey to pinpoint variations in rounding practices and uncover meaningful correlations with employee engagement, patient safety, and overall performance outcomes. Participants will gain practical insights into implementing and customizing this survey tool within their own organizations to strengthen leader–staff connections and promote safer care. Through real data and case examples, you’ll see how measuring perceptions can directly improve engagement and accountability. Walk away with actionable strategies to elevate your rounding practices and drive measurable results in our teams.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the value of conducting monthly direct report rounds in developing psychological safety and employee engagement needed for the drive for zero harm.
Clarify what ‘quality’ direct report looks like and how to develop strong rounding skills.
Understand how generating internal evidence that supports the practice of direct report rounding can re-energize and engage leaders to commit to this foundational leadership practice that supports HRO driven zero harm.

OAHQ | Addressing the Challenges Within Healthcare Quality Leadership
2025-12-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
This session will provide an overview of the seemingly insurmountable challenges encountered by healthcare quality leaders as well as considerations for addressing them and fostering a culture of safety.

NAHQ next call for abstracts
2026-01-12 09:00 - 2026-03-09 23:00 (America/Chicago)
Are you passionate about healthcare Quality & Safety improvement? Share your innovative ideas, groundbreaking research and best practices in healthcare Quality & Safety improvement at NAHQ next. Submit your abstract by Monday, March 9.
Learn more about the 2026 Call for Abstracts.

NAHQ Learning Lab - Leading the Change: Turning CMS 2026 Quality Priorities into Action
2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaker(s): Michelle Block Schreiber, MD
Deputy Director, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality
Director of the Quality Measurement and Value-Based Incentives Group
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Join Dr. Michelle Schreiber, Deputy Director for Quality & Value at CMS as she discusses how quality is embedded in value programs and what that means for burden reduction in day-to-day operations. You will hear the latest thinking across prevention and wellness, maternal health, aging with dignity, patient safety, and interoperability. Leave this webinar with strategies to translate these priorities into actionable takeaways to lead in your organization.
Learning Objectives:

Explain how CMS is incorporating quality into value programs and identify ways your organization can reduce burden while protecting outcomes.
Prioritize initiatives aligned to prevention and wellness, maternal health, aging with dignity, patient safety, and interoperability for your setting.

NEAHQ | Leveraging the QAPI Requirement for Enhanced Organization-Wide Strategic Alignment
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago)
Unlock the full potential of your hospital’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program with this dynamic 90-minute session designed for healthcare leaders ready to move beyond compliance. Attendees will discover how QAPI can drive culture change, foster accountability, and build a foundation for long-term sustainability. Ideal for those seeking to transform QAPI from a mandate into a mission.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

Differentiate between a compliance-based and strategically aligned QAPI Program
Map the five CMS QAPI elements to hospital strategic goals and priorities
Apply practical strategies to integrate QAPI activities into hospital-wide PI and governance structures
Evaluate opportunities to use QAPI as a driver for culture change, accountability, and long-term sustainability

NAHQ: CPHQ Virtual Instructor-Led Review Course
2026-01-23 15:00 - 2026-02-06 17:00 (America/Chicago)
NAHQ’s virtual, instructor led CPHQ Review Course connects you with expert instructors in an online classroom setting and is designed to support those planning to take the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality® (CPHQ) Certification Examination. Based on the current CPHQ content outline, this course provides a review of essential healthcare quality concepts and offers valuable tips on how to best prepare for the exam.
Courses include interactive lectures, quizzing, live Q&A, and inter-session activities, all focused on building your knowledge of the CPHQ content areas and helping you get ready for the exam. Note that session recordings are not included with course materials; please plan to prioritize attendance for all sessions.
Course Schedule: January 23 – February 6
The times shown below are in Central time. Please use this helpful time zone converter (https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com) to see when sessions will start and end for you.
January 23 – course introduction and platform walk through: 3 – 4 PM
January 26 – 30 – classroom sessions: 3 – 5 PM
February 2 – 6 – classroom sessions: 3 – 5 PM
Continuing Education hours for this activity have been approved by the following:
The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is accredited as a provider of CPHQ Continuing Education (CE). NAHQ’s CPHQ prep products are an optional resource for candidates seeking to prepare for the CPHQ Examination. Using NAHQ’s CPHQ prep products does not guarantee candidates will pass the CPHQ Examination.
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Virginia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. There are no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those with the ability to control the content of this activity. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for completion of this activity until January 15, 2027.
Criteria for successful completion includes completion of all modules that comprise this course and submission of the post-course evaluation.

View other upcoming events.

NAHQ Info Session: NAHQ Micro-Credentials
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Now you can delve deeper into each of the 8 domains of the Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™ through our growing portfolio of short, virtual courses: NAHQ Micro-Credentials.
Learn about them and our latest program: Regulatory & Accreditation, powered by Joint Commission, when you join us for this free info session. You’ll hear from NAHQ Senior Director, Professional Development Aleese Eckenrode about this new offering.
View other upcoming events.

Vastian | Quality's Economic Value: Making the Business Case for Compliance
2026-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for an insightful webinar to explore how Quality delivers measurable economic, operational, and clinical value—enhancing patient safety, improving clinical outcomes, reducing harm-related costs, ensuring compliance, and protecting your organization’s reputation.
What if Quality was your organization’s most profitable investment and respected as a strategic asset? Learn how this shift drives measurable impact—clinically, operationally, financially, and reputationally—positioning Quality as a catalyst for sustainable success.

NAHQ Learning Lab - Elevating Quality Through Proactive Risk Management
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaker: Jamie M. Verdi, JD, LLM, CPHRM
Vice President of Risk Management
Emory Healthcare – Office of Quality
Proactive risk management is a critical component of advancing patient safety and fostering a culture of transparency and learning within healthcare organizations. This 1-hour webinar will explore how risk management, quality and patient safety teams work collaboratively to identify emerging risks, prevent harm, and respond effectively when safety events occur.
Participants will examine how proactive risk management transforms healthcare quality and safety and the important role of safety event reporting, including near misses, and how non-punitive, transparent reporting builds a culture of safety and accountability, drives reliability and builds stronger patient outcomes. The webinar will also address best practices for disclosure and apology following significant patient harm events or allegations of patient harm. Attendees will gain insight into how risk management partners with patient safety and quality teams to conduct reviews, support patients and families, and implement patient safety initiatives designed to prevent re-occurrence and strengthen system reliability.
Learning Objectives:

Describe how proactive risk management tools such as risk management education; policies and procedures; risk assessments and patient safety alerts (proactive practical tools and methods) are used to address emerging risk trends, escalate concerns, and implement timely interventions to protect patients before harm occurs. This objective will explain how risk management collaborates with patient safety and quality teams following significant harm events to conduct reviews, implement patient safety initiatives, and reduce the likelihood of re-occurrence through system-level improvements.
Recognize the critical importance of safety event reporting including near misses and adverse events, and explain how transparent, non-punitive reporting practices support internal clinical review, organizational learning (lessons learned from adverse events and near misses), and service recovery, when appropriate.
Discuss the principles and purpose of Disclosure and Apology when significant patient harm has occurred or is alleged including ethical, regulatory (state specific statutes regarding disclosure of medical errors) and patient-centered considerations for communicating with patients and families

OrAHQ | Ethics and Compliance of AI Use in Healthcare Part II
2026-02-18 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
This is the second webinar in a 3-part series addressing the role of Ethics and Compliance when considering the use of AI in a healthcare setting. Part II will review the importance of conducting a thorough risk assessment prior to utilization of AI, how to identify risks associated with AI use in healthcare, and how to calculate the prioritization of risks for mitigation. Cost is free to members of the following organizations: MAHQ, OrAHQ, AZAHQ, NEAHQ, OAHQ, UAHQ, TGCAHQ, NCAHQ, FAHQ; $25 for all others.

AzAHQ | The Structure of Success: Deﬁning Team Roles to Navigate Process Change
2026-02-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Learn about a strategic blueprint for enhancing performance and process improvement in an evolving healthcare environment. Explore practical methodologies for establishing eﬀective improvement teams, clearly deﬁning their roles and responsibilities, and scoping their work to maximize impact and eﬃciency. healthcare system.

Leveraging the NAHQ Framework to Strengthen Practice, Growth, and Impact
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Speakers:
Carole Guinane, RN BSBA MBA BBSS CPHQ
Founder and CEO, White Bee LLC
Jaclyn Hunter, MSHI RN CPHQ
Senior NAHQ Navigator, NAHQ
This first webinar of a two-part Learning Lab series explores the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework, the industry standard that defines the knowledge, competencies, and skills needed to advance Quality and Safety across the continuum of care and discusses why the Framework matters now. The discussion will be grounded in current healthcare realities and the rapid evolution of quality roles. Participants will examine how shifting expectations have widened the competency gap, and why clearly defined competencies, beyond job titles or tasks, are essential for strengthening quality practice and advancing the profession. Participants will gain a clear overview of the Framework, including its domains and competencies, how it is built for everyone across roles and career stages, and how progressive skill development supports growth from entry-level practice through senior leadership. The Framework is positioned not as a checklist, but as a dynamic, workforce-based tool that reflects how quality work is performed in today’s healthcare environment.
Register now for part two of the Learning Lab series! Continue the conversation on May 20 in part two, which will build on this foundation and explore how macro-level industry trends align to the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework.
Learning Objectives:

Describe the purpose and structure of the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework.

Identify priority competencies for different roles, career stages, and organizational needs.

Apply the Framework as a practical tool to identify strengths and gaps at the individual and team level.

Quality Strategic Priorities & Strategy Deployment
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Introduction and overview of alignment improvement efforts
to strategic priorities and utilizing strategy deployment to
create an infrastructure and roadmap that engages all
levels of leadership while empowering front-line
stakeholders to make sustainable improvements.

NAHQ Insider Live
2026-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
NAHQ’s 50th anniversary is a profound milestone not just for NAHQ but for healthcare Quality & Safety as a whole. Join NAHQ CEO Stephanie Mercado as she reflects on how far we have come and shares an exciting new suite of solutions from NAHQ designed to help individuals and organizations build the capabilities needed for today and the future. Josh Berlin from Rule of 3 will also offer a timely perspective on what’s new in today’s healthcare and Quality environment, highlighting emerging challenges and shifts defining 2026 and their implications for healthcare leaders right now.
Speakers:
Stephanie Mercado, CAE, CPHQ
Chief Executive Officer
National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)
Stephanie Mercado is the chief executive officer/executive director of the National Association for Healthcare Quality® (NAHQ), the organization at the forefront of elevating the profession and advancing the discipline of healthcare Quality & Safety. NAHQ sets the industry standard and helps individuals and organizations achieve it. The Chicago-based association also offers a strong community and professional home for those who work in healthcare Quality across the country and internationally.
Mercado brings more than 20 years of healthcare industry experience to her lead role at NAHQ. Since joining NAHQ in 2013, she has implemented innovations and introduced methodologies to research and define standardized competencies for the healthcare quality profession. This has resulted in advancement of the discipline of Quality and increased visibility and credibility for the Quality workforce.
Josh Berlin, JD
Chief Executive Director
Rule of Three
Josh brings more than 25 years of experience serving clients and leading teams, most of which in healthcare advisory, bringing that expertise to rule of three, LLC as its CEO. He has been privileged to hold previous leadership roles at KPMG, IBM Watson Health, Dixon Hughes Goodman (now Forvis Mazars), and Citrin Cooperman. Both his current role and those past have presented opportunities to bring unconventional thinking to his clients, while supporting dynamic teams, across the full healthcare ecosystem (Providers, Plans, Employers, Governments, Advocacy, etc.). He has been published numerous times over the years, as well as quoted widely, on a variety of healthcare trends and industry-relevant issues impacting how care is delivered, coordinated and administered. Currently, he serves on the Boards of vital.io, Validation Institute, the Population Health Management Journal, and HealthTrackRx.

AzAHQ | Quality's Role in Organizational Culture
2026-04-30 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Phoenix)
Explore the role of quality leadership in fostering a culture of safety and quality within organizations from boardroom to front line employees
