Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grades Released: Transparency Key to Quality Health Care
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for Spring 2025 were released this morning. The Quality Institute is the Regional Leader for Leapfrog in New Jersey and, as many of you know, I serve as the national organization’s board chair. Once again, New Jersey was number one in hospital participation for the 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Survey at…Read More…
Take Five Interview with Stefanie Simmons
Stefanie Simmons, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. The Quality Institute is partnering with the Foundation on the initiative, “ALL IN: Caring for New Jersey’s Caregivers.” What is the story behind the creation of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation? Lorna was a department chair of emergency medicine, at the top…Read More…
Strategies to Drive Mission in Challenging Times
Recently I was asked to speak to a gathering of nonprofit leaders and address, Sustainability Planning in the Current Climate. The thoughts I shared have applicability, beyond the nonprofit world, to those working in health care or related fields during this time of tremendous upheaval and uncertainty. For the last decade, much thought, training, and…Read More…
Take Five with Michael Schmidt, LCSW, M.A.
Michael Schmidt, LCSW, M.A., Executive Director/CEO of The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, a generous funder of the Quality Institute’s work on Perinatal Mental Health. What brought you to The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey? I have always been drawn to mission-driven organizations. I began my career working with older adults, then managed a homeless…Read More…
Milestone for mental health care in New Jersey
Long-delayed regulations would allow medical and behavioral health services in same office Lilo H. Stainton, Health Care Writer | April 14, 2025 | Health Care After at least a decade of discussion and years drafting regulations, New Jersey is poised to revise its license requirements for outpatient treatment to allow for truly integrated outpatient care. “This is…Read More…
Take Five with Robert Brenner, MD, MMM, FACHE
Robert Brenner, MD, MMM, FACHE, President and CEO, Valley Health System. Valley Health System is a member of the Quality Institute’s Provider Council. You recently took over as President and CEO of Valley Health System. What are one or two of your top priorities? There is a higher demand and utilization of healthcare across the…Read More…
Time To Strengthen, Not Destroy, Medicaid
As New Jersey lawmakers work on the next budget, Congress is considering deep cuts to federal programs, including Medicaid. Strengthening New Jersey’s Medicaid program is a central focus of the Quality Institute and critical to our members. Medicaid is the largest overall funder of health care services in New Jersey. The program’s mission is to…Read More…
One pandemic benefit: Stronger mental health support for caregivers
Bobby Brier, Mental Health Writer | March 18, 2025 | Health Care, Coronavirus in NJ Health care workers still face stigma around mental health struggles In March 2020, as the pandemic spread across New Jersey, doctors, nurses and staff in hospitals and nursing homes scrambled to care for a growing number of patients infected with COVID-19, while…Read More…
Advancing Health and Wellness in Your Community
Imagine living in a town where fresh produce is easily accessible, fitness classes are available for all ages, and mental health support is just around the corner. Across New Jersey, communities are making this vision a reality. The Quality Institute recently recognized towns that are stepping up in big ways to improve the health and…Read More…