Welcome to the Arizona Association for Healthcare Quality (AzAHQ).

My name is Jessica Hackwell, and I am the President of AzAHQ. I thought I would share a brief summary of my experience. I spent the first 12 years of my professional career in semiconductor manufacturing. I did not start working in healthcare until I moved to Yuma, Arizona in 1997. Although I didn’t have a quality background, I was given an opportunity in July 2004 to expand my knowledge of healthcare and become the PI Coordinator.

One of the first steps towards finding education outside of the training I was receiving was to locate an association that could help with education and networking. At the 2004 Annual NAHQ conference, I had the opportunity to meet a representative from AzAHQ, and was invited to join the association. She was only one of many people that I would meet that have impacted me both personally and professionally. AzAHQ has wonderful members who are interested in sharing their ideas and experiences.

One of the first things I noticed about AzAHQ was the great educational programs being offered. AzAHQ has been able to secure at least one nationally known speaker each year, while at the same time, making the educational opportunity affordable. Additionally, I found that AzAHQ offered a CPHQ review course, which was taught by one of our own members, Nancy Claflin. After taking Nancy’s class in 2006, I successfully passed the CPHQ exam. The class offers phenomenal information and is available to both those interested in becoming certified in healthcare quality, as well as those who have already achieved their CPHQ certification for continuing education. Those are just a few of the reasons I am proud to belong and serve in such a great organization.

I am pleased to introduce the 2010 AzAHQ Board of Directors:

• Myrna Feldman, Past President
• Jeanne Stueland, President-Elect
• Ellen Kane, Treasurer
• Sandra Verheijde, Treasurer-Elect
• Karen Richards, Membership Team Lead
• Stephen Burroughs, Membership Team Lead-Elect
• Connie Williams, Communication Team Lead
• Jennifer Wolfe-Pearce, Communications Team Lead-Elect
• Suzie Duffy, Education Team Lead
• Michelle Bagford, Education Team Lead-Elect
• Elizabeth Maish, Member-at-Large
• Paula Graves, Secretary
• Holly Grems, Association Manager

The 2010 Board of AzAHQ brings knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm and I look forward to an exciting year. I am honored to serve with these individuals, and I am honored to be President of AzAHQ.

Sincerely,
Jessica S. Hackwell, CPHQ
Process Improvement/Safety Coordinator
AzAHQ President
jhackwell@yumaregional.org