NYAHQ was formed by a group of quality and utilization professionals in 1977 as a networking approach to understand changes in healthcare regulations.  Back then the organization was called The New York Association of Quality Assurance Professionals. Twenty-five years and a name change later, the organization is still composed of healthcare professionals wanting to network about changes in healthcare. The organization helped healthcare professionals survive agendas for change, scopes of work, DRGs, PETS, NYPORTS, and transitions from QA, CQI to PI. As it has been said before, there is nothing more constant than change..

Some describe healthcare as a science and others call it an art. Some view it from a social perspective and others see from an economic vantage. Regardless of how it is described, we are all at its mercy. Healthcare has been ranked internationally by mortality rates and birth data, GNP indexes, national quality improvement measures, and local satisfaction studies. No matter the measure, the end result is – we can do better.  Which brings me to two simple concepts:

1. Good, Better, Best - never let it rest, until your Good is Better and your Better is Best!

2. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! They are simple but true, and understood by all healthcare professionals regardless of role or position. They can be applied to just about every situation or function.  But, how does this translate to NYAHQ?

In the past 30 years, the organization identified goals.  With each past president, the organization developed strategies to meet those goals trying to take what is a good organization and make it into a better and ultimately a BEST organization.  In 1999, NYAHQ was measured against other state organizations and was awarded the Gold Medal as the “BEST” State Organization by NAHQ.  In 2000-2001, our membership was at an all time high, allowing NYS to be represented at NAHQ’s Leadership Council with eight representatives.  This is the second highest number of state representatives, giving NY significant input at a national level.  To reach these outstanding achievements NYAHQ has outreached to members in a variety of ways: educational conferences, organized networking meetings and the creation of a website.  To maintain this level of achievement, NYAHQ must initiate strategies to retain membership and keep the organization strong.  Membership is a barometer.  Membership numbers indicate the strength of an organization.   Maintaining the number is important, as it is difficult to regain members that are lost to other organizations or other reasons (ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!).

Therefore, the NYAHQ Board of Directors set the following goals to maintain and increase membership:

• Enhance communication by a state-of-the-art, user-friendly website.
• Continue educational opportunities to include tangible and timely information topics to include “WHAT IS IT”, “HOW DO WE USE and/or IMPLEMENT IT” and “How Do We Know We/re Doing It Right”.
• Expand networking across the state and the continuum of healthcare to identify best practices and to share those practices with others in the communities we work and live.
• Evaluate our financial position and strength; recommend solutions that are affordable and efficient so that NYAHQ can continue into the future.
• Align NYAHQ with other healthcare organizations as “Quality” lives in every healthcare venue.

As NYAHQ President, my personal goal over the next two years is to assist the organization continue the excellence NYAHQ is known for; build on the successes of the past so that membership to NYAHQ will be an invaluable resource to the quality professional; and to continue as one of the premiere leaders of quality at a national level. These goals can only be achieved with your support and I urge you to be involved in NYAHQ. We can use your help in so many ways!

If you have a special skill or interest, we need your expertise.  Consider taking one step:  write an article for the newsletter (doesn’t need to be long!), run for a position on the Board, chair or join a committee or present at a networking meeting and/or educational conference.  This year we demonstrated the talent of the NYAHQ Board at our spring conferences in Manhattan and Syracuse.  The entire program on patient safety was presented by the Board and covered the entire continuum of care. 

NYAHQ is a volunteer organization and we understand you are busy.  But if we spread the “fun” (AKA work) among us so much more can be achieved.  By volunteering, you will experience a new level of professionalism, meet colleagues and peers, and enjoy a personal satisfaction of being part of this distinguished group.  Having new, fresh ideas and approaches will keep NYAHQ relevant and at the cutting edge.   Be a mentor and encourage others to join. 

Feel free to contact me, or any members of the Board to share your thoughts and ideas.  I look forward to meeting you at a NYAHQ function soon and to work along side you to maintain NYAHQ’s legacy.  Remember, there is strength in numbers!