NICHQ: National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality

A partner to ensure the quality of our guidelines

The evidence-based guidelines currently being developed will initially be based on consensus, and as time goes on will be subjected to rigorous testing to ensure there is sufficient evidence that they are effective and represent "best practice". To ensure that the guidelines are produced in a physician-friendly format and that they have been subjected to sufficient and appropriate testing the AIR-P has enlisted the assistance of the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) to oversee quality-related aspects of the guideline development process.

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Charles Homer, NICHQ's primary aim is to improve the quality of healthcare for children by improving the systems responsible for its delivery. Led by experienced pediatric healthcare professionals, NICHQ helps organizations to build sustainable system improvement capabilities, accelerating the adoption of best practices and advocating for high quality children's healthcare. Because of NICHQ's focus on the quality and sustainability of healthcare delivery both Dr. Homer and Patricia Heinrich, R.N., M.S.N., who works with Dr. Homer, are well-placed to help make certain the successful development and dissemination of the clinical practice guidelines.

Dr. Homer, President and CEO of NICHQ, is a graduate of Yale University. He received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and his M.P.H. (Epidemiology) from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health. A pediatrician, Dr. Homer is an Associate Professor of the Department of Society, Human Development and Health at the Harvard University School of Public Health, and an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. From 2000-2002 he was a member of the third US Preventive Services Task Force, and from 2001-2004 served as Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management.

President and CEO of NICHQ,

Charles Homer, M.D., M.P.H.

Patricia Heinrich, Executive Program Director for NICHQ, is an experienced educator and coach. Currently leading NICHQ's perinatal and neonatal improvement programs and multiple obesity technical assistance projects, she has been involved in the development and implementation of multiple quality improvement and educational projects addressing issues affecting the care of children in primary care as well as multiple projects designed to improve care for children with special health care needs. She has also worked on projects to improve healthcare systems including access and efficiency, cultural competency, and parent partnerships. Prior to working with NICHQ Pat spent 25 years in a variety of Maternal-Child Health Nursing education, leadership and management positions.

Executive Program Director for NICHQ,

Patricia Heinrich, R.N., M.S.N.