A Time to Convene and a Time for Recognition: NAHQ NEXT and Healthcare Quality Week

As the emcee for much of our NAHQ NEXT annual conference, I have been in catch-up mode in recent weeks, absorbing on-demand content I missed during that busy week and generally reflecting on our time together. While I always enjoy the camaraderie and excitement in the air when attending NAHQ NEXT in person each year, I must say this year’s fully virtual event brought a unique sense of community I will not soon forget.

It was so fulfilling to observe the active chat feed and watch the active engagement, sharing of best practices and thoughtful questions raised during the various live sessions.

I cannot thank our faculty, poster presenters, sponsors, volunteers, NAHQ Board and attendees enough for making it such a success. For those not able to join us last month, you can still purchase the entire conference on demand, hear from best-in-class speakers and earn up to 39+ continuing education (CE) credits while you retain access to the conference platform for a full 60 days.

Fresh off that conference, the NAHQ team is now busy putting the finishing touches on Healthcare Quality Week (HQW), coming up October 18-24. This is the perfect time to reflect and applaud the tireless work of you and your colleagues during this most challenging year. I invite you to register for this free event and please share with your colleagues, teammates and professional network – particularly those who may be newer to the realm of quality.

This year’s HQW will be like no other, as NAHQ provides registrants with a week’s full of complimentary resources, such as live webinars with industry leaders, including:

Stephanie Mercado, CAE CPHQ
CEO and Executive Director
NAHQ

Eric Weaver, DHA MHA
Executive Director
Accountable Care Learning Collaborative (ACLC)

Shantanu Agrawal, MD MPhil
President and CEO
National Quality Forum (NQF)

In addition to these scheduled webinars, you can earn up to five Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality^® (CPHQ) CE credits through select on-demand content … compliments of NAHQ. It is our way of saying thank you for all you have done to improve healthcare quality and patient safety.

Be on the lookout in the coming days for tips from me and the NAHQ Board of Directors as we discuss how we have historically commemorated Healthcare Quality Week, and share tips on how you can implement a memorable HQW locally at your facility.

We also want to hear from you! Share your stories about what it means to be a healthcare quality professional. Tell us why you are proud to be a CPHQ. If you own a CPHQ pin, post it on Facebook or Instagram and tag NAHQ. While I know many of you do not need additional motivation to share your insights and selfies, we will be randomly selecting winners among participants. Individuals will receive complimentary virtual registration to NAHQ NEXT 2021, and select teams will receive lunch parties and a live virtual Q&A with a senior NAHQ leader this Fall – great for an upcoming staff meeting or team retreat! Visit the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Week web page today for more details. I cannot wait to read about your great work and to see your fun photos!

As always, stay strong and stay well.

Carole Guinane, RN BSBA MBA BBSS CPHQ
NAHQ President