Wisconsin Quality Residency Program

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Wisconsin Quality Residency Program

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) and the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) are excited to announce registration is open for the next cohort of the Wisconsin Quality Residency Program. First launched in 2014, the program is designed to engage new and novice hospital quality improvement leaders in a track of education, leadership training, and networking – all critical for success in the first two years on the job.

The program includes a blend of in-person and virtual learning modules covering foundational topics (Certified Professional in healthcare quality framework), including regulatory and accreditation requirements, quality improvement concepts, collecting data for analysis and decision-making, and more. Participants have access to peer networking and coach calls, a dedicated email group for networking between sessions, and experienced quality leaders throughout Wisconsin for support. While the intended participants for the program are those who are in their first two years in a quality leadership role, we also acknowledge there may be experienced leaders and quality staff who will want to attend one or more modules covering specific areas of interest.

    For Questions,  Please Contact:
    Janet Wagner , BSN, MS-OLQ, CPHQ
    Quality Services Senior Manager, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

    jwagner@rwhc.com
    (608) 644-3258

    Jenny Pritchett, RN, BSN, MPH, MBA, CIC, CPHQ
    Clinical Quality Improvement Manager
    Wisconsin Hospital Association

    jpritchett@wha.org
    (608) 274-1820

    Since the Wisconsin Quality Residency Program began in 2014, overwhelmingly positive feedback has been received. Here is some feedback received from past Quality Residents:

    • The networking is wonderful!
    • It was an enlightening day and provides some hope to be able to do this job (Leading as a Healthcare Professional Module 1)
    • Denise Balboa was VERY knowledgeable. This was a topic I have been trying to wrap my head around as we have an upcoming survey within the next year. This will be my first survey and gaining knowledge and confidence has been a relief. (Compliance State and Federal Regulations Module)
    • I would not change anything, EXCEPT I wish I had this information when I started in this role! (Measure Requirements Module)
    • All the Project Management tools provided are great (Performance Improvement Module)


    The Full Quality Residency Program includes:

    • 4 in-person only and 6 virtual full-day modules will be offered monthly September 2025-June 2026, the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00 am-3:30 pm CT.
    • A one-hour “Coaching Call” on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 11:00 am-12:00 pm CT to introduce and prepare for the next module, follow-up on questions from the previous module, and engage in discussion.
    • Presenters from WHA and RWHC professionals, current healthcare quality leaders including past Quality Residents, and champions and subject matter experts in healthcare quality topics.
    • Learning Needs Assessments Survey prior to each module to customize learning needs. Pre-session work to be completed prior to some modules.
    • Interactive learning activities including hands-on use of tools used for data-driven decision making and opportunities for reflection and dialogue.
    • Access to dedicated peer networking email group, portal for easy access to all resources shared, and a compendium of websites, tools, and other resources collected throughout the program.

    Individual module registration is also available for Modules 1-9 for quality and other interested current, or rising, hospital leaders looking for a “refresher” in a specific topic. The fee for individual modules is $350.

    Scroll below to view the 2025-2026 Quality Residency Program Schedule for dates, topics covered, and fees.


    Full Program Registration   

    2025-2026 Wisconsin Quality Residency Program 

    Fee: 

    $2,750

    (Fee is prepaid via credit card).
    REGISTER HERE
    Guest Registration - Individual Modules

    Program Modules  (Select 1 or more)

    Fee:

    $350 per person for each module

    (Fee is prepaid via credit card).

    REGISTER HERE
    MODULE SCHEDULE
    • Full day modules offered monthly from 9:00 am-3:30 pm.
    • A virtual 1 hour “Coaching Call” monthly to introduce and prepare for the next module, follow-up on questions from the previous module and engage in discussion.
    MODULE 1 - LEADING AS A QUALITY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
    Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT (In Person at WHA)
    (Coach Call: August 27, 2025)
    • Understanding the Scope of your Role as a Quality Leader
    • Support the Organizational Strategic Plan, Mission, Vision, & Values with Quality Initiatives
    • Engaging Stakeholders from Senior Leaders to Front Line Staff
    MODULE 2 - ACCREDITATION / SURVEY READINESS
    Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT Zoom (Virtual)
    (Coach Call: September 24, 2025)
    • Accreditation / Survey Readiness
    • Strategies and Tools for Managing Surveys
    MODULE 3 - HOSPITAL COMPLIANCE: STATE AND FEDERAL OVERSIGHT
    Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT Zoom (Virtual)
    (Coach Call: October 22, 2025)
    • Hospital Regulatory Oversight and Survey Process
    • Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act 101
    • Frequently Cited Deficiencies
    • Plans of Correction Process
    MODULE 4 - QUALITY MEASURE REQUIREMENTS
    Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT Zoom (Virtual)
    (Coach Call: November 19, 2025 )
    • Types of Measures
    • Federal and State Reporting Requirements
    • Interoperability
    • Navigate Quality Related Public Reporting Sites
    MODULE 5 – USING DATA TO MAKE DECISIONS
    Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT (In Person at WHA)
    (Coach Call: December 17, 2025)
    • Tools to Display and Report Data
    • Data Collection and Analysis in Excel
    • Mock Data Demo with Group Participation
    MODULE 6 – PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT & CHANGE MANAGEMENT
    Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT (In Person at WHA)
    (Coach Call: January 28, 2026)
    • Define quality and process improvement methodologies
    • Use key quality tools and techniques to support process improvement initiatives
    • Explain core concepts and models of change management
    • Identify common challenges and resistance to change, along with strategies to address them
    • Apply practical tools to support planning, communication, and implementation of change initiatives
    MODULE 7 –CREATING A CULTURE OF SAFETY, HIGH RELIABILITY, & RISK MANAGEMENT
    Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT Zoom (Virtual)
    (Coach Call: February 25, 2026)
    • Understanding High Reliability Organizations
    • Just Culture and Characteristics of a Culture of Safety
    • Sentinel/ Adverse Events
    • Root Cause Analysis/ Failure Modes and Effect Analysis
    • Disclosure of Info
    • Informed Consent
    • Protected Information
    MODULE 8 –ENGAGING CLINICIAN ACCOUNTABILITY IN QUALITY
    Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT Zoom (Virtual)
    (Coach Call: March 25, 2026)
    • Medical Staff/ Med Exec
    • Committee Services and Impact on Quality
    • Peer Review Processes as Educational Rather than Punitive
    • Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations/ Focused Professional Practice Evaluations
    MODULE 9 – POPULATION HEALTH AND CARE TRANSITIONS
    Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT Zoom (Virtual)
    (Coach Call: April 22, 2026)
    • Care Coordination Strategies and Best Practices
    • Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Health Outcomes
    - Only included with purchase of all 2025-2026 program modules -
    MODULE 10 - Putting It All Together and Graduation

    Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 9:00am – 3:30pm CT In-person Only at WHA

    (Coach Call: May 27, 2026)

    • Sharing success and challenges with the group
    • Brainstorm with other participants on a new idea to implement