Conference Recap

Thank you for attending the Spring Conference

We had over 98 participants at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina and the speakers were amazing as usual. Anne Huben-Kearney and Geri Schimmel, RN from ASHRM provided a well-received presentation on "From Concept to Practice: Psychological Safety Builds High Reliability" as well as the ASHRM update. Amanda Cackle, RN presented on "Digging in the National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety" which broke down the 17 recommendations into their respective 4 foundational areas. She also provided tactics of how each area could be met before the end of the year. Jill Nelson provided a information on "Maternal Health in the Sunflower State: KPQC and Hospital Partnerships to Improve Outcomes and Address CMS Requirements." This included results of the previous KPQC initiatives around Postpartum Discharge Transition and upcoming focus on Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy; as well as upcoming changes to CMS's Conditions of Participations around Obstetrical Services. KDHE updated was provided by Cecilia Sherraden, RN that provided recent trends in Risk Management reporting and survey results. And ending the day Clark Shultz provided an overview of the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund and what and who it can used by. Full speaker bios and slide presentations can be found on the KARQM website under Events -> Previous Meetings or here.

Tereasa DeMeritt, president, conducted a business meeting which included a vote on updating our bylaws which passed, treasurer report, mentorship program update, and a website demonstration.  After the business meeting and lunch, districts were able to gather for meetings and network amongst themselves and other KARQM members. 

The conference wrapped up as usual with a book giveaway highlighting some great reference materials for quality, safety and risk leaders. A full list of previous books offered are available on the website under Book Club.

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A Call for Nominations

During our next conference we will be holding a vote for these termed board positions. If you are interested in running for President-Elect, Vice-President, or Secretary please fill out the nomination form by clicking here.

Position responsibilities as found in bylaws

• Candidates shall preferably have served at least one year on the KARQM board (not required)
• Shall coordinate the mentor program

• Shall maintain membership in the American Society of Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM)

• Shall be responsible for organizing the continuing education activities

• Shall perform such other duties as the KARQM board may determine

• Shall prepare and keep a permanent record of the agenda and meetings of the organization and of the KARQM board
• Shall submit such records for approval at the following meeting of the respective group
• Shall care on the official correspondence of the organization under the direction of the KARQM board, shall prepare and give notices of all meetings in the manner prescribed by the bylaws, and shall perform such other duties as the KARQM Board may determine

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Meet the Board

Sarah Morris, BSN, RN

Sarah is the Southwest District Chair for KARQM. Sarah is currently the Quality Director, Infection Preventionist and Employee Health nurse for Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kansas. Sarah is relatively new to the area of Quality, bringing two years of experience to the table. Sarah received her Bachelors in Nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Sarah has a variety of nursing experience that spans over a 20-year career that has led her to her Quality role. Sarah seeks to increase her knowledge about Quality and Risk, bringing along with her those past and current nursing experiences to help provide and ensure that patients and communities receive the highest quality and compassionate care possible. Sarah also serves as a member of the KHA Data Committee. 
Sarah was born and raised in rural SW Oklahoma, now calling SW Kansas her home with her husband and three children. Fun fact about Sarah and her family; they spend their summers participating in dirt track racing, racing Micro-Sprints. Sarah’s husband and two older sons are the current racers of the family. Micro-Sprint/Sprint Car racing started with her husbands’ father, has continued with her two sons, and will probably continue with youngest son. One of her proudest moments was when her husband and two sons were all feature winners in their racing classes at the same racing event at Airport Raceway in Garden City, KS.

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District Highlight

SW District

Submitted by Sarah Morris, SW District Chair

The Pioneer Health Network (PHN) held a multi-department Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) roundtable on April 23rd in Garden City.   Sixty participants from across the PHN hospitals represented the areas of Clinic, Business Office, HIM, Quality, Case Management, Nursing Administration and Administration.  The goal was to receive training on the Social Drivers of Health and engage in interactive discussion about how the CMS required SDOH screenings are being completed and reported. Additionally, the group discussed what measures hospitals are taking or working on to connect patients to helpful resources in the area when screenings identify health related social needs that are not being met. The intent of the CMS requirement is to improve the overall health of communities. By having multiple departments represented at the roundtable, it allowed everyone to see how each hospital department plays an integral part in the collective efforts to identify patients with health-related social needs and facilitate warm handoffs to helpful resources in their regions.

The SW district is made up with members who are passionate about providing the communities they serve with high quality and compassionate care. Those members come with a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience to our networking group. 

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Calendar of Events

Save the Date for Fall Conference in Manhattan - October 22nd. Watch for registration email coming soon. 

Save the Date for Spring Conference back in Salina - April 8th 

KHC's Summit on Quality is postponed until 2026

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National Organizations

The NAHQ next 2025 conference will be held virtually from September 8-10, 2025, focusing on healthcare quality and safety issues. The National Association for Health Care Quality (NAHQ) offers innovative real-world solutions for healthcare’s greatest quality & safety challenges.  A sample of presentations include Systems Based Strategies for Elevating Patient Experience Through Quality,  Quality as Business Strategy, Overcoming Pressures in Rural & Underserved Communities (Presented by our very own Dr Bob Moser & Jodi Schmidt and moderated by our board member Liz Carlton). Additional topics range from Caring for the Caregiver to the Power of Gratitude. Dr Jonathan Perlin, President and CEO of The Joint Commission will discuss the importance of leading with quality in healthcare. Attendees can earn up to 18 CPHQ & nursing contact hours.

Link to registration:  NAHQ next 2025

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