WCHQ News Releases

The Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ) November 13 Assembly, “Growing Up Healthy,” will delve into public health issues and patient care improvement models that are aimed at helping younger patients be their healthiest selves.  

Vaping is a national public health issue. Megan Piper, PhD, from the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention will describe the most current research and best clinical practices related to identifying and treating vaping-related diseases. Dr. Piper’s research focuses on understanding and treating tobacco dependence, with an additional interest in different populations of smokers who have more difficulty quitting, such as women and smokers with mental illness, and the growing use of electronic cigarettes.

National immunization expert Jon Temte, MD, PhD, will help clinicians find “Flu in the EHR.” Dr. Temte is associate dean for public health and community engagement at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH) An expert on vaccines and immunization policy, Dr. Temte served on the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and he was the first family physician to chair ACIP from 2012–2015.  

Penny Funk, RN, MSN, will describe Marshfield Clinic Health System’s “Journey to Becoming a Certified Adolescent-Centered Environment.” Ms. Funk has 12 years of experience working as a pediatric nurse in an acute care setting, and many years of supervisory experience.  

The PATCH (Providers And Teens Communicating for Health) Program is designed to help bridge the communication gap between teens and health care providers around topics related to sexual health, mental health, drug and alcohol use. PATCH Program Director Amy Olejniczak, MS, MPH, associate director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, will describe the program and provide examples of where this program is working in Wisconsin.

Dr. Michelle Kelly’s research focus is on leveraging tools and technology to engage families to improve the quality and safety of care of hospitalized children. She directed the implementation of American Family Children’s Hospital’s “MyChart Pediatric Bedside Project.” Dr. Kelly is an associate professor and pediatric hospitalist in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Registration is now open; view the agenda. This event will be held at Monona Terrace in Madison. For more information, contact Mary Kay Fahey.

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