Dear NEAHQ Members and Friends,
As autumn settles in with its crisp air and vibrant colors, it’s a perfect time to reflect on growth, change, and the opportunities ahead. At NEAHQ, we are continually inspired by the dedication of our community to advancing healthcare quality, and this season we’re excited to share what’s next.
October 19–25 marks Healthcare Quality Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the impact that healthcare quality professionals have across the field. This year, we want to spotlight you—our members. We would love to hear about your quality journey: what inspires you, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the successes you’ve achieved.
We’ll be highlighting member stories on the NEAHQ blog and through our communications. Sharing your journey not only helps elevate the profession but also connects you with colleagues across New England and beyond. When you share, be sure to include your LinkedIn profile so others can expand their professional network and continue the conversation.
If you’re not yet a member of NEAHQ, now is the perfect time to get involved https://www.neahq.org/cpages/membershipbenefits. Membership opens doors to professional development, networking opportunities, and the chance to be part of a community committed to driving excellence in healthcare. And if you’re looking for a way to make a difference, we always welcome volunteers to help us bring our mission to life.
Thank you for the work you do every day to improve healthcare quality. I look forward to celebrating Healthcare Quality Week together and to highlighting the amazing contributions of our members.
Warm regards,
Sabrina Zerzouri
President, NEAHQ
Healthcare Quality Week is October 19 - 25!
Every year, the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) sponsors Healthcare Quality Week with the goal of celebrating healthcare quality professionals and the impact they have made on patient outcomes. In addition to highlighting the impact of these multidisciplinary professionals, this week provides an opportunity to collaborate on new challenges and share best practices. Among the many offerings during this week, NAHQ is holding educational sessions and experience sharing events.
This year, NAHQ is shining a light on the progress made in the field of healthcare quality and the emerging trends facing the field. Whether you maintain a certification in healthcare quality or are interested in the role quality principles can play in your profession, we hope that you will make the most of this week and the opportunities that NAHQ is offering. Thank you for helping us keep quality and continuous improvement top of mind, both during this week and every day.
NEAHQ and our affiliated partner associations, as part of the multi-state Healthcare Quality Association Collective, have several great programs scheduled this fall. Some programs are free for NEAHQ members, while others are discounted. Visit our Events Calendar to connect to registration information for each of these programs or navigate through the links below. Thank you for your continued support and participation!
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AzAHQ Presents The Quality Journey 10-12 Oct 2025 11:00am - 3:00pm EDT
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AzAHQ Presents Lead with Purpose: Discover Your Why and Activate Your Strength 23 Oct 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
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TGAHQ presents From Conflict to Collaboration- Managing Challenging Interactions in The Clinical Setting 30 Oct 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
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OrAHQ presents CPHQ Review Course 06-07 Nov 2025 12:00pm - 6:30pm EST
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TGAHQ presents What’s in the AI Black Box?: Auditing & Monitoring AI in Healthcare 13 Nov 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Treasurer’s Report January – August 2025
NEAHQ currently has $40,597.43 in total assets as of the end of August 2025. Total revenue generated in 2025 YTD (Jan-August) is $5,033.95. NEAHQ generated $4,667.76 in revenue from membership dues while $366.19 came from the program. Total expenditures for 2025 YTD (Jan-August) are $4,567.81. Total expenditures were made up of administrative, operating and CEU expenses.
Board Member Spotlight – Ann Turbett
Would you please share a brief overview of your career?
My journey began at The Ohio State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked in cardiac critical care. Those early years at the bedside cemented my passion for patient-centered care and inspired me to take a leap—moving to Boston to continue growing both personally and professionally.
For more than 30 years at Tufts Medical Center, I had the privilege of serving patients, families, and teams in roles that grew with me over time. I began as a Clinical Research Nurse in Cardiology, supporting patients with heart failure and coordinating some of the earliest cardiac transplant programs. From there, my work expanded into clinical research, transplant program development, and eventually into hospital-wide quality improvement. Each step gave me the opportunity to connect bedside care with broader system change.
As a Quality RN Specialist, I found my voice in performance improvement and regulatory reporting, but what mattered most was bringing people together—clinicians, staff, and leadership—to make care safer and smarter for patients.
Today, at BILH Mount Auburn Hospital, I continue that mission with the same dedication and curiosity that first inspired me in Columbus. Along the way, I’ve earned a Master’s in Business Management and Leadership from Regis College, as well as certifications in cardiac transplant coordination (CCTC), critical care (CCRN), and healthcare quality (CPHQ).
Looking back, this journey has been about more than roles or titles. It’s been about learning, growing, and helping others thrive—always with the patient at the heart of it all.
Which aspect of your current position is especially rewarding?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my current role is mentoring newer members of the Quality team, especially those in data analytics and patient relations who may not have a clinical background. I find great satisfaction in helping them bridge the gap between data and the realities of patient care—translating clinical context into meaningful insights that improve outcomes. I also truly enjoy working with medical residents, introducing them to the tools and methodology behind conducting Root Cause Analyses for safety events. Watching their understanding deepen and their engagement grow is incredibly fulfilling.
Has any one individual greatly influenced your career?
Two individuals have played a pivotal role in shaping my career path. The first is Patricia Huss Randolph, a former roommate during my time at Ohio State, who worked as a cardiac clinical research nurse. She opened my eyes to the idea that nursing expertise could be leveraged to influence patient care beyond the bedside—a perspective that fundamentally shifted how I viewed my professional potential.
The second is Patricia Noga, who was the Clinical Director of Inpatient Services and Nursing at Tufts Medical Center and now serves as Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association. She was instrumental in guiding my transition from cardiac transplant care into the field of quality and safety. Her mentorship during my graduate studies was invaluable, and her leadership continues to inspire me.
What led to your involvement with NEAHQ?
Throughout my career—from critical care to cardiac transplant and now healthcare quality—I’ve always sought out supportive professional communities. Being part of organizations like NEAHQ allows me to tap into resources beyond my own workplace, expand my knowledge, and connect with others who share the same passion for improving care. I’ve also valued professional certifications along the way, as they give me the confidence that my work aligns with the highest industry standards.
What are your goals as a NEAHQ Board Member?
I’d love for NEAHQ to feel like a place where people can come together, share ideas, and support one another in the important work we do. I want us to celebrate excellence, spark innovation, and create opportunities for meaningful collaboration. My goal is to make sure members have access to resources and connections that truly help them in their day-to-day work—while also reminding us all of the bigger purpose we share: improving care for patients.
How do you balance your demanding professional life with your personal life?
The work we do in quality and patient safety doesn’t always fit neatly into a 9–5 box, so balance for me has meant learning to be flexible—both at work and in life. Over time, I’ve come to realize that my work is an important part of who I am, but it is not my whole life. Staying self-aware and making space for pursuits outside of healthcare has been key to keeping perspective.
I’m lucky to live in New England, where there’s no shortage of things to explore. My curiosity often begins with, “I wonder what it would be like to…”—and that has led me to row on the Charles River, lace up skates for a season of ice hockey, and even take aviation ground school just to understand what it takes to fly a plane. I’m also a big supporter of the performing arts, and keeping concert and museum tickets in my digital wallet reminds me to step away, recharge, and enjoy the richness of life beyond work.
The Power of a Checklist in Healthcare
Did we wash our hands? Did we give the right medicine to the right patient? Did we confirm the surgical site before the procedure? These may sound like simple questions, but in a busy hospital, overlooking even one step can put a patient at risk. That’s why many hospitals rely on checklists. Just like pilots use them before every flight, healthcare workers use checklists to ensure nothing critical is missed.
Why They Work
• Remind staff of essential steps
• Improve teamwork and communication
• Reduce errors and increase patient safety
Real Examples with Evidence
• Surgery: Studies show that the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist can reduce surgical complications by around one-third and lower mortality by 30–40%, depending on setting and adherence (Russ et al., Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2021)
• Hand hygiene: In one long-term study, nurse hand hygiene compliance rose from 86% to 95%, while healthcare-associated infections declined (Särkkä et al., American Journal of Infection Control, 2022).
• Medication: A 2024 review of over 50 studies found that prescribing checklists significantly reduced medication errors and improved adherence to guidelines (Miller et al., International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2024).
A Practical Example: Patient Safety Daily Checklist
Here’s how a simple checklist can look in daily hospital care:
Before Patient Care
☐ Wash hands with soap/hand rub
☐ Confirm patient identity (name + wristband)
☐ Review allergies
☐ During Care
☐ Confirm correct medication (5 rights: patient, drug, dose, route, time)
☐ Maintain clean/sterile environment
☐ Monitor vital signs
☐ After Care
☐ Document procedures/medications given
☐ Communicate key updates to next shift
☐ Ensure patient comfort and safety
A checklist may look simple, but it is one of the most effective performance improvement tools in healthcare. It doesn’t replace skill—it supports it. And most importantly, it saves lives.
References
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Russ S, Rout S, Caris J, et al. (2021). The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and outcomes after surgery: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
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Särkkä M, Jäntti H, Kauppi V, et al. (2022). Long-term effect of hand hygiene promotion on compliance and hospital-acquired infections. American Journal of Infection Control.
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Miller K, Thomas R, Chan J, et al. (2024). Medication prescribing checklists and their impact on patient safety: A scoping review. International Journal for Quality in Health Care.
High Reliability Principle: Sensitivity to Operations
Check out the blog here.
CMS Awards QIN-QIO Contract for Region 1 to Superior Health Quality Alliance (SHQA) for 13th Scope of Work (2025-2030), June 6, 2025
Superior Health Quality Alliance (Superior Health) has been awarded a 13th Scope of Work (SOW) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Quality Innovation Network–Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), supporting Medicare providers across 14 states and two U.S. territories through a five-year contract running from May 28, 2025, through May 27, 2030. The award represents both a continuation and an expansion of Superior Health’s mission to improve healthcare quality, safety and equity for Medicare beneficiaries.
In the Northeast Region, Superior Health will partner with Quality Insights to lead work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Superior Health will provide no-cost technical assistance to eligible providers, including support for chronic disease management, behavioral health integration, patient safety, care coordination and health equity — all aligned with CMS national goals.
Superior Health Quality Alliance is comprised of eight member organizations – all with long track records of success driving achievement of Medicare quality improvement goals. Member organizations include the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, MetaStar, Inc., Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Midwest Kidney Network, Minnesota Hospital Association, iMPROve Health, Stratis Health and the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
Combatting Health Misinformation
Misinformation on social media has the potential to manipulate millions of people. Read more:
Misinformation lends itself to social contagion – here's how to recognize and combat it Shaon Lahiri, Assistant Professor of Public Health, College of Charleston
Four ways you can design social media posts to combat health misinformation Anna Feigenbaum, Professor in Digital Storytelling, Bournemouth University Ozlem Demirkol Tonnesen, PhD Candidate in digital culture and politics, University of Southampton