TIPQC Annual Meeting 2026
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Reconnecting, reinvigorating, and reimaging the future for Tennessee's Moms and Babies was the highlight of the 18th TIPQC Annual Meeting held Tuesday through Thursday, March 24-26, 2026, in Franklin. With over 570 healthcare professionals, as well as patients & families, Community Resources, and many other stakeholders in attendance. Attendees enjoyed the Commissioner of Health, Dr. John Dunn and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Tobi Amosun, State Representative Caleb Hemmer, nationally recognized Quality Improvement (QI) leader Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, national Maternal Mental Health leader Birdie Gunyon-Meyer, and the viewing of the 24 Days Without You Film spotlighting Annie Sterle and her journey through an Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE). Drs. Jona Bandyopadhyay and Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Harvey also shared updates from TennCare and the Department of Health, including information on the new Rural Health Transformation Program. The meeting highlighted a multitude of maternal and infant concerns with over 129 presenters and speakers, current Quality Improvement (QI) projects, Simulation Rooms including the Stryker Truck, local hospital quality improvement teams, a dedicated SUD/OEN learning track, and poster presentations—all inspiring and re-energizing the QI work locally and across the state. With great excitement and anticipation, The Naloxone Project kicked off their work in Tennessee. The energy and excitement for the ongoing work as well as new projects was palpable.
TIPQC greatly appreciates the expertise and time these presenters, the volunteers, Blue Care TN, Wellpoint, TN ACOG, and the Tennessee Department of Health for their generous support, and so many others who contributed to making this a success.
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TIPQC Annual QI Poster Winners
Local Quality Improvement Project posters were submitted by 32 hospital teams and individuals. Poster Awards were presented in the following categories.
Best overall: Maternal - Samanatha Parker, BSN, RN - Bridging Breastfeeding Gap: Impact of EBP Revision in Patients with SUD; Infant – Padmaja Koneru, MD - It's A Gut Feeling; Birth Quality – Sophia Akatue, MS - Assessment of Patient Satisfaction Scores after Implementing "Best for All" QI; Joint –Rachel Meadows, BSN, RN - Implementing Protected Period of Exclusive Breastfeeding. Top winners in other categories were: RN/RT/DNP/APRN Posters- Stephanie Platz, BSN, RN - High Risk OB Mental Health: QI Project to Improve Perinatal Anxiety and Depression; MD/PhD Poster - Sheree Carter, MD - Do Provider C-section Delivery Rates for NTSV Patient Need to be Unblinded to Impact Provider Performance; Trainee Posters- Jacklyn Locklear, MD - Access to Psychiatric Service; Women’s & Children’s Professionals – TIE! Eleanor Mitchell- Perinatal Depression Screening and BF Outcomes & Hana El-Messidi, Reduced Oxytocin Bolus Dosing and Postpartum Hemorrhage.
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TIPQC Top ImprovementsTeams
Top improvement hospital teams were invited to share on the amazing work they have completed.
These teams included:
- Cardiac Conditions in OB Care (CCOC): Ascension St. Thomas Midtown and Erlanger East Hospital.
- BEST for All (BFA): Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Maury Regional Medical Center.
- Reduction of Chronic Lung Disease (CLD): Regional One Health and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
- Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC): Jackson- Madison County General Hospital and Ascension St. Thomas Midtown.
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TIPQC Honors Leadership
Champion for Maternal Health Leader was awarded to Jessica Young, MD, MPH. Nominees were: Shannon Blaisdell, Jessica Cagle, Riad Homsi, and Danielle Tate.
Champion for Infant Health was awarded to Dianna Puhr, MD and Casie Smith, BS, RRT-NPS. Nominees included Lou Arrindell, Elizabeth Ivey, Carianna Johnson, and Kim Ross.
Quality Improvement Leadership was awarded to Megan Young, MPH. Nominees were April Buggs, Lillian Guffey, Rebecca Hoover, and Sarah Shanks.
Lifetime Service Award went to Mike Devoe, MD for 18 years of service to TIPQC.
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.
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Straw Poll Project VotingThe results are in!
Annually we ask you all to share what you would like to work on! These are each considered, vetted across the state and nationally, and eventually voted on for development by the Oversight Projects Committee.
Maternal projects: Mental Health, Postpartum Discharge Transition, Sepsis in OB Care, and Care for Pregnant & Postpartum Women with SUD.
Infant Projects: Newborn Screening Awareness, Breastfeeding within 1 hour, Substance Exposed Newborns, and Safe Sleep.
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New QI Projects for 2026-27
New Quality Improvement Projects were announced as well, many of these beginning in June or July. The Maternal Hemorrhage project will address obstetric hemorrhage concerns in the hospital setting, the Born to Thrive: Late Preterm project will be important in caring for the 75% of preterm infants that are born between 35-37 weeks gestation, and finally the NICU Tennessee’s Tiniest Babies: Hospital Acquired Infection Project will be the final project in TTB bundle. Additional information for the upcoming projects can be found on our website.
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April Health Observances 4/12-18: STI Awareness Week
4/24-30: World Immunization Week
4/25: National DEA Prescription Take Back Day
4/29: Fentanyl Awareness Day
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News You Can Use The Tennessee Department of Health has released new information for health leaders, partners, and stakeholders on new funding opportunities in the Tennessee Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Please visit the website for more information.
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