TIPQC seeks to promote meaningful change, advance health equity, and improve the quality of care through pregnancy, delivery, and beyond for all Tennessee families.

16 Years of Improvement

Our History

The Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care (TIPQC) is the state’s perinatal quality improvement collaborative, founded in 2008 through a grant from the Governor’s Office to engage hospitals, practitioners, payers, families, and communities in order to promote meaningful change, advance health equity, and improve the quality of care through pregnancy, delivery and beyond for all Tennessee families.

A 16-year proven track record of improvement projects, education, and trainings across Tennessee
30 successful QI projects
QI Coaching, Resource sharing, Annual Meetings, Learning Sessions, Webinars, SIMS trainings, Networking & more
Shared governance that relies on state-wide engagement of providers, practitioners, hospital administrators, community organizations, and families
Robust, centralized project management and data support, including REDCap as well as Vermont-Oxford Network and Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) ACOG, and SimpleQI

Join Us

Leadership

The TIPQC Infant and Maternal Medical Directors as well as the Quality Improvement (QI) Nursing Specialists provide expertise, passion, and knowledge to all projects. The core team also includes QI coaches as well as project and data management.

Learn about our Leadership

Board of Directors

The TIPQC Oversight Committee is composed of TIPQC Members who have responsibility for the oversight, guidance, and success of the work of TIPQC.

FAQs

How do I join TIPQC?

Any stakeholder is welcome. There is no formal process to join. Come, share your voice. We are all better together.

Is there a cost to participate in TIPQC?

No due to generous grants TIPQC does not charge membership or participation fees at this time.

How do I join the Community Resource Councill?

Complete the form and return to Anastacia.volz@TIPQC.org.

How can I share my “lived experience” with hospitals and TIPQC?

Please reach out to Brenda.Barker@TIPQC.org.

OVERSIGHT BOARD

Jona Bandyopadhyay, MD, MPH, FACOG

Associate Medical Director, TennCare

Kerri Brackney, MD

Maternal Fetal Medicine, Regional One Health

Tara M. Burnette, MD

Neonatologist, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville

Greg Cannella, MD

TN Medical Director, Government Business Division, Amerigroup

Susan Guttentag, MD, Chair

Chair of the Oversight Committee, Julia Carell Stadler Professor of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Director, Mildred Stahlman Division of Neonatology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Brian Hackett, MD, PhD

Neonatologist, Professor of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Elizabeth Harvey, PhD, MPH

Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Family Health and Wellness at the Tennessee Department of Health

Deena Kail, BSN, RN, MBA

Executive Director, West Tennessee Women’s Center

Joseph Kipikasa, MD

Vice Chair and Residency Program Director of University of Tennessee Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chattanooga

Andrea Johnson, MD

Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Jinni Malone, MSN, RN, C-ONQS

Women’s and Children’s Quality Manager, TriStar Centennial Medical Center

Sharon Moore-Caldwell, MD, MDiv

Medical Director, BlueCross BlueShield, BlueCare, TN

Melanie Morris, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC

AWHONN TN Section Chair

Rhonda Okoth, MPH, BSN, RN, CCRP

Patient and Family Partner

Jack Owens, MD, MPH

Neonatology Division Director East Tennessee State University/NICU Medical Director Niswonger Children’s Hospital

Tiffany Peggs, MD

Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Community & State

Shannon Rigler, MD

Medical Director of Neonatology, Erlanger Children’s Hospital

Sheri Smith, RN

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Ajay Talati, MD

Sheldon B. Korones Professor and Chief, Neonatology, Professor, Pediatrics and OB/GYN, Vice-Chair for Education, Pediatrics, Program Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Danielle Tate, MD, MBA

Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician, Previous TIPQC Maternal Medical Director

Margaret C. Taylor, CNM, DNP, FACNM

Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives

Tammy Van Dyk, MSN, MBA, RN, CENP

Senior Vice President, Quality & Patient Safety, Tennessee Hospital Association

Kevin Visconti, MD

Maternal-Fetal Medicine, High Risk Obstetrical Consultants

Lynlee Wolfe, MD

Assistant Professor, Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University of Tennessee Medical Center

Victor Wu, MD, MPH

Chief Medical Officer, Division of TennCare

Ex-Officio Brenda Barker, M Ed, MBA

TIPQC Executive Director

Ex-Officio Cornelia Graves, MD

TIPQC Maternal Medical Director

Ex-Officio Scott Guthrie, MD, FAAP

TIPQC Past Infant Medical Director

Ex-Officio Karen Schetzina, MD, MPH, FAAP

TIPQC Infant Medical Director

Ex-Officio Jessica Young, MD, MPH

Preceding TIPQC Maternal Medical Director

Ex-Officio Rolanda Lister, MD

TIPQC Health Equity Officer

Patient and Family Partners

Involving our patients and families in Tennessee is so important. Health outcomes are better when patients and families are informed and part of the decision making process. Patient Family Engagement refers to the active involvement of patients and their families in their healthcare decisions, treatment plans, and overall healthcare experience. This concept recognizes that healthcare is not just between a patient and a healthcare provider but a collaborative partnership that includes the patient’s family members and loved ones in shared decision making.

TIPQC will continue our Patient & Family Partner (PFP) statewide council. In addition, hospitals will be engaging PFPs for all projects. These critical members of our teams will have the opportunity for continued training through Momma’s Voices.

Patient & Family Partners Resources

Download Application Form

Community Resources

Tennessee has long been known for its volunteer spirit because we accomplish more by working together. Collaborating to drive evidence-based change that creates stronger, healthier birthing parents and babies is one way you can contribute to our shared community’s efforts.

Community Resources Information