February 6, 2009
Out of Darkness Into Light - A Quality for Life Story
There are an estimated 15 million people in India who are visually impaired - which equates to roughly one out of every three blind people in the world. To help combat blindness for children and adults in India, Dr. Manu Vora, an ASQ Fellow, along with five colleagues from AT&T Bell Laboratories, formed the Blind Foundation for India (BFI). Read more of this Quality for Life story.
New Lean Six Sigma Healthcare Case Study
Kaiser Permanente Colorado used Lean Six Sigma to evaluate and improve Medicaid enrollment processes. A three-month project resulted in a 45-percent gain in Medicaid membership while increasing Medicaid revenue by more than $1 million annually. Read the case study.
To have your success story considered for publication by ASQ, contact Noel Wilson at nwilson@asq.org or 414-298-8789 x7304.
QIHC Explores Building Better Performance Delivery Systems
I mproving healthcare delivery performance is the theme of the 2009 Quality Institute for Healthcare (QIHC), May 18-20, 2009, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minn. The conference will focus on developing adoptable and sustainable improvement models for application in care delivery business units as well as at the organizational and community levels. Healthcare quality leaders and experts from around the country will direct daily hands-on workshops on the latest healthcare quality improvement methods. Read the press release.
Expanded Benefit Allows More Participation in Sections and Divisions
Now, Site and K-12, along with Enterprise member employees can purchase Section, Division and Forum memberships and receive the added benefits of belonging to these communities. This is perfect for employees new to quality who want to be more involved but don’t want a full ASQ membership. Employees may join a section for $20 and/or a division or forum for $10 each.
For more information, or registration instructions employees should contact their organization’s primary membership contact, or contact ASQ Customer Care, 800-248-1946.
Pharmaceutical Industry Experts Needed
ASQ headquarters is seeking experts to write practice questions for the Certified Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices Professional (CPGP) Body of Knowledge. These questions will be used to develop an online product to give ASQ members and customers the opportunity to take practice tests similar to the certification exam. Subject matter experts should have experience in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for the pharmaceutical industry and have not written for an actual ASQ exam within the past two years to maintain the integrity of our certification exams. Knowledge of finished human and veterinary drugs and biologics, ectoparasitacides, and dietary supplements where regulated as drug products, as well as their component raw materials and packaging and labeling operations is needed. If you are interested in participating, please contact Andy Hubbartt for details.
Monthly Membership Tips
ASQ appreciates your commitment and dedication to recruiting new members every month. Here are some helpful hints to keep your recruitment efforts going:
- Show your colleagues and friends the benefits of ASQ membership with your Value of Membership card.
- Invite prospective members to attend your meetings and give them the opportunity to meet other quality professionals in the area.
Look for more recruitment tips in the months to come. And don’t forget about the Each One Reach One referral program and get rewarded for each member you recruit.
Call for Presentations and Tutorials: Service Quality Conference
The ASQ Service Quality Division is seeking proposals for concurrent session presentations and tutorials, for the 18th Annual Service Quality Conference, October 5-6, 2009, Long Beach, Calif. If you have a success story, case study, or new technique in the field of service quality, we want to hear from you! Submit a proposal for a concurrent session or tutorial by February 28.
Now Available: Best of NQEC 2008 Webinar Package
Many member units work with educators. Or, they have been trying to initiate a relationship with local schools. Whichever scenario is the case, a new webinar package will make a great addition to any district. This package includes the top 10 sessions of the National Quality Education Conference (NQEC) for one low price! Let local schools know about this special opportunity that will directly impact their performance improvement goals. This special offer is good through March 15, 2009, and is only $995 for the whole school. Check out all the sessions you will receive.
Submit Your Presentation for NQEC 2009!
Deadline: February 20, 2009-The conference will be held October 25-27, 2009, in Jacksonville, Fla. Get more information today by visiting the NQEC Call for Presentations Web page.
