Valued Voice

Quality improvement specialists from 10 Wisconsin hospitals were recognized June 17 for completing the 10-month Wisconsin Quality Residency Program. Transitioning into a new role as a health care quality leader involves mastering numerous core concepts and leadership essentials and this program, specifically designed for new quality leaders with limited experience in quality improvement and patient safety in a hospital setting, offers a comprehensive curriculum taught by field experts and veteran quality professionals, ensuring practical, real-world application.

Participants focused on a different topic each month, including regulatory and accreditation requirements, basic risk management skills, state and federal hospital compliance, quality data reporting methods and effective quality improvement techniques. Established through a collaboration between the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) and the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) and sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH), the program aims to equip new leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. Since its launch in 2014, the program has produced 200 graduates specializing in quality improvement.

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Quality Residency program graduates

• Shannon Cathman - Upland Hills Health
• KaeLee Dahl - Edgerton Hospital and Health Services
• Heather Frank - Reedsburg Area Medical Center
• Miranda Johnson - Black River Health
• Annie Ness - Tomah Health
• Cassandra Peak - Richland Hospital and Clinics 
• Cassie Schmidt - Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital
• Alexa Schurtz - Western Wisconsin Health
• Nick Swartout - Beloit Health System
• Emily Tachon – UW School of Medicine and Public Health

The next cohort of the Wisconsin Quality Residency Program begins Sept. 9. See the WHA Quality Residency webpage for registration information.