Celebrating a year of impact: NAHQ & Joint Commission alliance
November 18, 2025Share:
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking strategic alliance between Joint Commission and NAHQ. As we reflect on this past year of our work together, I am pleased to share highlights from our ongoing work. This year affirmed the meaningful progress that occurs when two organizations with shared purpose come together to elevate healthcare Quality & Safety at scale.
Our collaboration began in 2024 with Joint Commission’s endorsement of the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ®), and the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™. Awareness and support have been strong — with 85% of those aware already associating it with positive outcomes.
Since the announcement, we have continued to expand professional development opportunities across both organizations. NAHQ’s CPHQ Prep resources, the CPHQ, complimentary NAHQ membership and complimentary registration to NAHQ next were extended to all Joint Commission staff, contributing to a growing cohort of newly certified healthcare Quality professionals—50 new CPHQs and counting. This effort strengthens the talent pipeline and creates a common understanding and shared vocabulary between Joint Commission and the health systems they work with, and NAHQ as the leader in healthcare Quality & Safety competencies and workforce development.
We also advanced our shared commitment to expanding access to Quality education across the field. Together, we awarded CPHQ scholarships to 30 healthcare professionals at safety-net institutions including Cook County Health, Grady Health System, and Jackson Health System. This investment in the public health safety net reflects the values that unite our organizations, and the work we believe is vital to sustain high-quality, safe care for all communities.
Our organizations also stood shoulder-to-shoulder at key industry engagement events. Joint Commission leadership participated in NAHQ next, contributing to three highly attended sessions with thousands of live participants and exceptional engagement. Likewise, NAHQ had a strong presence at Joint Commission’s UNIFY conference, through targeted, pre-conference email communications, on-site breakout sessions, Stephanie Mercado’s keynote participation, and exhibition engagement. NAHQ and Joint Commission shared presentations during Healthcare Quality Week reached more than 23,000 registrants, underscoring the growing visibility and momentum of the Quality profession and discipline.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are prepared to further deepen the strategic alliance. Planned initiatives include expanded CPHQ study support for Joint Commission staff and leaders and the continuation of reciprocal participation at NAHQ next and UNIFY 2026. As part of our shared learning experiences, we will be launching the NAHQ Regulatory and Accreditation Micro-Credential, powered by Joint Commission, in January. These activities reflect our confidence in the direction of our work and our commitment to advancing healthcare Quality & Patient Safety together.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued collaboration, shared leadership, and dedication to improving healthcare Quality everywhere. I look forward to another year of meaningful progress together.
Patricia (Patty) Resnik, MJ, MBA, RRT, FACHE, CPHQ, CHC, CHPC
NAHQ President
There is a roadmap to healthcare Quality excellence. NAHQ can help you follow it.
The NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™ serves as the industry-standard, defining the Quality Safety competencies, skills and behaviors required to advance Quality & Safety excellence across the healthcare continuum.
This expert-created, data-informed framework is continuously validated and updated by NAHQ to ensure it provides the most up-to-date information, guiding professionals, organizations, and the healthcare industry to create a competent, coordinated workforce prepared to deliver healthcare excellence.
