Strengthening Quality & Safety: A Vision for NAHQ’s Year Ahead
January 28, 2026Share:
January has already proven to be an active and defining start to the year for the National Association for Healthcare Quality®. As I step into the role of President of the NAHQ Board of Directors, I do so at a moment of extraordinary momentum—one that reflects both the strength of our foundation and the promise of what lies ahead.
This moment matters. It matters because of the alignment across NAHQ’s leadership, its exceptional staff, and a growing, engaged community of professionals who understand that quality and safety are not aspirational ideals, but essential drivers of better care and stronger financial outcomes.
It is an honor to serve as President of the NAHQ Board. I am deeply grateful for the leadership of past Board presidents whose stewardship has positioned NAHQ for continued relevance and impact. I also want to recognize the dedication of our volunteers and members—your expertise, professionalism, and commitment to improvement are what give this organization its purpose and credibility.
Board Leadership for the Future
This month, we also welcomed new Board members. These changes were made thoughtfully and with intention. They reflect a governance model designed for agility, accountability, and future-readiness—one that enables the Board to serve as a strategic steward of NAHQ’s mission and as a connector between workforce needs and the evolving demands of healthcare.
Why Quality and Safety Matter—Now
Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand that quality and safety are foundational to every successful healthcare organization. They are not optional initiatives or regulatory checkboxes; they are the infrastructure upon which trust, outcomes, and sustainability are built.
NAHQ exists to ensure that the professionals leading this work are prepared, supported, and empowered—and that focus has never been more important than it is today.
January Milestones: Signals of Our Direction
The milestones announced this month reflect where NAHQ is headed and why our work matters.
We are proud to have been named one of Modern Healthcare’s “Best in Business” organizations—an honor that recognizes measurable impact, innovation, and leadership across the industry. This recognition affirms NAHQ’s commitment to workforce development, evidence-based results, and long-term value creation for healthcare organizations nationwide.
We also launched the Regulatory & Accreditation Micro-Credential, powered by Joint Commission. This offering directly responds to real-world skill gaps and demonstrates how NAHQ partners to deliver practical, competency-based education at scale. Designed for application across care settings, this Micro-Credential reinforces our commitment to relevance, rigor, and survey readiness for the workforce.
Fifty Years of NAHQ: Honoring the Legacy, Activating the Future
In 2026, NAHQ celebrates its 50th anniversary. This is more than a milestone—it is a pivot point. For five decades, quality professionals have shaped the field through innovation and leadership. Today, we honor that legacy by welcoming the future: advancing workforce transformation, preparing the workforce for AI-enabled progress, and strengthening accountability for outcomes that truly matter.
Leading the Next Chapter, Together
As President of the NAHQ Board, I am committed to supporting an organization that serves as a standard-setter, a workforce builder, and a convener of what’s next. Together—with our members, partners, and staff—we will lead the next chapter of healthcare quality with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Thank you for being part of this important work.
April Taylor, FACHE, CMQ/OE, CLSSBB, CPPS, CPHQ
NAHQ President
There is a roadmap to healthcare Quality excellence. NAHQ can help you follow it.
The NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™ serves as the industry-standard, defining the Quality Safety competencies, skills and behaviors required to advance Quality & Safety excellence across the healthcare continuum.
This expert-created, data-informed framework is continuously validated and updated by NAHQ to ensure it provides the most up-to-date information, guiding professionals, organizations, and the healthcare industry to create a competent, coordinated workforce prepared to deliver healthcare excellence.
