About Us
History
The Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC) was formed by a group of statewide stakeholders in February 2015 with the intent of improving the quality of care in Nebraska for mothers and babies. Volunteer medical directors and a program administrator were selected and a board of directors was established. Initial start-up funding was obtained through the Nebraska Chapter of the March of Dimes, the Nebraska Medical Association, and COPIC. State funding was appropriated through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).First year activities included recruitment of birthing hospitals, our first annual conference, development of a website and monthly newsletters.
Improvement efforts intensified in 2016 with two major focuses: management of neonatal jaundice and hospital breastfeeding practices for normal newborns and those requiring neonatal intensive care. Comparative data, provider identification of opportunities and gaps in practice from what is generally recognized evidence-based practice drive identification of improvement initiatives.
In 2017, Facebook was used to empower consumers through education on our various improvement initiatives and all Nebraska birthing hospitals were participating in the collaborative and received quarterly consultation via web meetings.These additional activities were possible due to the mid-year addition of collaborative staff. The engagement of stakeholders and communication continued to be emphasized. Initial success was achieved with more hospitals adopting practices to improve breastfeeding practices and to improve management of neonatal jaundice.
In 2018, NPQIC continues to respond to the needs of the Nebraska perinatal community with continued improvement and educational initiatives.
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Mission Statement
NPQIC seeks to improve the delivery of and access to evidence-based health care for all Nebraska mothers and newborns.
• We will engage all stakeholders statewide.
• We will identify opportunities to optimize measurable perinatal outcomes and implement initiatives for a sustained improvement.
• We will reduce the impact of premature birth statewide.
• We will be good stewards of the financial resources committed to the work of the organization and will allocate our resources across the
entire state of Nebraska to achieve the best possible outcomes.
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Board of Directors
Ann L Anderson Berry, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics, UNMC
Medical Director, NICU and Newborn Nursery, Nebraska Medicine |
Robert Bonebrake, MD FACOG
Maternal-fetal Medicine
Perinatal Center, Methodist Women’s Hospital |
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Deb Esser MD, MMM, FAAFP
VP Medical Policy and Quality Medical Director
BCBS of Nebraska |
Kathy Karsting, RN, MPH
Program Manager, Maternal Child Adolescent Health
NE DHHS Division of Public Health |
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Sean Kenny, MD FACOG
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Bryan Health |
Sue Korth, BSN, MPH, PhD
VP and COO
Methodist Women’s Hospital |
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Steve Lazoritz, MD
Medical Director
WellCare of Nebraska |
Dale Mahlman
Executive Vice President
Nebraska Medical Association |
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Leann Heinrichs, M.D.
Chief of Medical Staff
Thayer County Health Services |
John W. Sparks, M.D
Chair Department of Pediatrics,
Carol Remmer Angle, MD, Presidential Chair of Pediatrics, and Associate Dean for Pediatric Affairs |
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Lisa Strasheim, MSN, APRN, NNP-BC
Division Director- Women’s Health
CHI Health |
Lisa White, MD
Medical Director: Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care, Nebraska Department of Health & Human Resources
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BJ Wilson, Jr., MD
Medical Director NICU
CHI Saint Elizabeth |
Tom Williams, MD
Chief Medical Officer & Director of the Division of Public Health,
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
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Abby M. Saunders, MS, PLMHP, PLADC
Therapist, Heartland Family Service
Consumer Advocate |
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Operations Office:
• Ann Anderson Berry, MD, PhD, Medical Director
• Robert Bonebrake, MD, Medical Director |
• Peggy Brown, DNP, RN, CPHQ, Program Administrator
• Kamilla Gazieva, MBA, MHS, Program Coordinator
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