Quality Improvement Simplified Symposium (QISS)

Danville, PA US
February 4, 2026
This workshop is meticulously crafted to equip participants who are passionate about quality improvement (QI) with the essential knowledge, skills, and resources required to successfully conduct a QI project. Throughout the workshop, attendees will delve into the core principles of quality improvement, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how to identify, design, and implement effective QI projects.
 
Participants will engage in interactive sessions that cover critical components such as formulating SMART aims statements, selecting appropriate measures, and applying the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. Additionally, the workshop will provide insights into integrating trainees into QI projects, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances learning and project outcomes.
 
By the end of the workshop, participants will not only grasp the fundamentals of developing a QI project but also appreciate the nuanced strategies and structures that contribute to the success of such initiatives. They will leave with a robust toolkit of practical approaches and considerations, empowering them to lead and mentor QI projects effectively within their professional settings.

Target Audience

This conference is designed for healthcare professionals (who desire to be) actively engaged in quality improvement, including attending physicians, midlevel providers, nurses, and quality and safety staff. The sessions will focus on practical strategies, real-world projects, and department-level approaches to QI.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

  • describe their QI project with clarity and detail 
  • create a SMART aims statement that adheres to the SMART criteria
  • evaluate applicable measures relevant to their QI project
  • facilitate PDSA cycles collaboratively in their QI projects 
  • synthesize strategies to effectively integrate trainees into their QI projects 
  • distinguish the approaches and structures of successful QI projects, including important project considerations 
Refund Policy
A full refund will be given for any cancellations received up to one week prior to the course.  No refunds for no-shows. 
 
Course Cancellation Policy
In the unusual circumstance that this course is cancelled, you will be called and/or emailed, and any tuition fees received would be refunded in full.  Geisinger is not responsible for any airfare, hotel or other costs incurred.
 
Attendance
Attendance will be recorded within three to four days of the conclusion of the activity.  Credit will display on your continuing education transcript once the activity evaluation is completed.  
    Course summary
    Available credit: 
    • 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    • 6.00 ANCC
    • 6.00 Participation Credit
    Course opens: 
    08/28/2025
    Course expires: 
    12/31/2026
    Event starts: 
    02/04/2026 - 7:30am EST
    Event ends: 
    02/04/2026 - 5:00pm EST
    Cost:
    $100.00
    Add to calendar: 
    Rating: 
    0

    Schedule

    8:30 am - 9:00 am 
    Continental Breakfast/Registration
     
    9:00 am - 9:15 am
    QI KAT
    Margrit Shoemaker, MD
     
    9:15 am - 9:30 am
    Welcome and Introductions
    Importance of Engaging in QI
    Jason Mitchell, MD and Janet Tomcavage, MSN, RN
     
    9:30 am - 10:00 am
    Setting the Stage: Right Sizing the Project; How to Identify and Propose a Project
    Rose Barham, MD, MS and Margrit Shoemaker, MD
     
    10:00 am - 10:15 am
    Write SMART AIMS Statement
    Margrit Shoemaker, MD and Dhanya Mackeen, MD, MPH
     
    10:15 am - 10:30 am
    Establish Measures - Discuss Types of Measures in QI
    Stefanie Leader, DO
     
    10:30 am - 11:05 am
    The "Plan" in PDSA
    Scott Friedenburg, MD and Bruce Levy, MD
     
    11:05 am - 11:20 am
    Morning Break
     
    11:20 am - 12:45 pm
    Breakout Rooms 
    (Location of breakout rooms will be shared with participants during registration)
     
    11:20 am - 11:50 am
    Physician Track: Successful Approaches to QI with Residents and Fellows 
    Thomas Davis, MD and Eric Wright, RPh
     
    Nursing Track: Successful Approaches to QI with Nursing Students 
    Lauren Murphy, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC and Gordon Cole, MSN, RN, CPHQ
     
    11:50 am - 12:20 pm
    Physician Track: Successful QI Projects within Programs
    Rose Barham, MD, MS and Nicole Branning, MBA, MHA, DPM
     
    Nursing Track: Successful QI Projects in Nursing
    Tami Underhill, MSN, CMSRN, BC-RN
     
    12:20 pm - 12:45 pm
    Physician Track: How to Coordinate Meaningful Collaboration: Improving Relationships with Residents and Fellows using Project Charter
    Susannah Kisvarday, MD
     
    Nursing Track: How to Coordinate Meaningful Collaboration: Improving Relationships with Nursing Students 
    Gale Shalongo, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC
     
    12:45 pm - 1:20 pm
    Luncheon (will be provided)
     
    1:20 pm - 1:40 pm
    The "Do" in PDSA
    Lauren Murphy, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC
     
    1:40 pm - 2:00 pm
    The "Study" in PDSA
    Jonida Cote, DO
     
    2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
    The "Act/Adjust" in PDSA
    Gordon Cole, MSN, RN, CPHQ
     
    2:20 pm - 2:35 pm
    Afternoon Break
     
    2:35 pm - 3:05 pm
    Tying Everything into your Clinical QI Project
    Anthony Petrick, MD and Keith Boell, DO
     
    3:05 pm - 3:45 pm
    Dissemination of Project: The Scholarly Way and CV Building
    Dhanya Mackeen, MD, MPH and Rob Cooney, MD, MSMedEd, FACEP
     
    3:45 pm - 4:15 pm
    Geisinger Resources and Considerations: QI vs. Research, IRB, CITI, Statistical Analysis 
    Charles Brightbill
     
    4:15 pm - 4:30 pm
    QI-KAT Grading and Wrap-up
    Margrit Shoemaker, MD and Dhanya Mackeen, MD, MPH
     
    4:30 pm
    Evaluations/Adjournment
     
    *Topics/speakers are subject to change. 
    Henry Hood Center for Health Research
    100 North Academy Avenue
    Danville, PA 17822
    United States
     All visitors to the Geisinger campus, please park in the patient parking lot. A shuttle bus will take you to the Henry Hood Center for Health Research, please notify the driver when boarding the bus of your final destination.

    Travel

    Henry Hood Center for Health Research is located on the Geisinger Campus in Danville, Pennsylvania (Montour County), Exit 224 on Interstate 80. Routes 11 and 54 also intersect in Danville.

    Geisinger Faculty

    Rose Barham, MD, MS, Speaker/Planner
    Assistant Professor, Medicine
    Assistant Professor, Pediatrics 
     
    Jessica Beamer, Planner 
    GME Education Specialist 
     
    Keith Boell, DO, Speaker 
    Chief Quality Officer, Population Initiatives 
     
    Nicole Branning, MBA, MHA, DPM, Speaker/Planner 
    Associate Program Director, Podiatry 
     
    Charles Brightbill, Speaker 
    Director, IRB Operations and HRPP
     
    Gordon Cole, MSN, RN, CPHQ, Speaker/Planner 
    Manager, Nursing Quality 
     
    Robert Cooney, MD, MSMedEd, FACEP, Speaker
    Director, Faculty Development
    Associate, Emergency Medicine 
     
    Jonida Cote, DO, Speaker/Planner
    Rheumatology/IM Quality Director 
    Rheumatology Staff Physician 
    Assistant Professor of Medicine 
     
    Thomas Davis, MD, Speaker
    Director, Comprehensive Care Clinic
    Medicine/Pediatrics 
     
    Scott Friedenburg, MD, Speaker
    Director, Neurology 
     
    Allison Kelliher, MD, Planner 
    Orthopedic Surgery Resident 
     
    Susannah Kisvarday, DO, Speaker
    Physician Hospitalist 
     
    Stefanie Leader, DO, Speaker/Planner
    Hospitalist 
    Director, Quality Improvement 
    Internal Medicine Residency
     
    Bruce Levy, MD, Speaker
    Associate Chief Medical Informatics Officer 
     
    A. Dhanya Mackeen, MD, MPH, Speaker/Planner
    Activity Director
    MFM Staff Physician  
    GME Quality and Safety Director
    Professor, OB/GYN
     
    Jason Mitchell, MD, Speaker
    Executive Vice President
    Chief Medical Officer 
     
    Lauren Murphy, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC, Speaker/Planner 
    Manager of Nursing Quality  
     
    Anthony Petrick, MD, Speaker
    Chief Quality Officer 
     
    Gale Shalongo, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, Speaker
    System Director, Nursing Research, EBP, and Policy
     
    Margrit Shoemaker, MD, Speaker/Planner 
    Assistant Professor of Medicine
    UME Health System Citizenship Theme Lead 
     
    Michelle Thompson, MD, Planner 
    Chief Education Officer
    Vice Dean, GME
     
    Janet Tomcavage, MSN, RN, Speaker
    Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive 
     
    Tami Underhill, MSN, CMSRN, BC-RN, Speaker
    Manager, Evidence Based Practice
     
    Nicole Woll, PhD, MEd, Planner 
    Vice Dean, Faculty and Professional Development
     
    Eric Wright, RPh, Speaker 
    Professor, Pharmacy Research CPIO

    Content Disclosure

    The faculty has attested that their presentations and/or content are HIPAA compliant.  
     
    Individuals in a position to control educational content for this activity have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 
     
    CE Committee Members/Content Reviewer(s) have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. 
     
    *Any/All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.  

    Accreditation 

    In support of improving patient care, Geisinger College of Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

     

     

     

     

    Credit Designation 

    Geisinger College of Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the educational activity. 

    Geisinger College of Health Sciences designates this live activity for 6 contact hours for nurses. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the educational activity. 

    Disclosure Policy 

    Faculty and all others who have the ability to control the content of continuing education activity sponsored by Geisinger College of Health Sciences must disclose to the program audience whether they do or do not have any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest or other relationships related to the content of their presentation(s). 

    Commercial Support

    None

    Available Credit

    • 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    • 6.00 ANCC
    • 6.00 Participation Credit

    Price

    Cost:
    $100.00
    Please login or register to take this course.

    To register, select "Breakout Selection", provide any QI Project ideas (if applicable), then click "Add to Cart". Once your cart appears, proceed by clicking "Checkout" and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your payment and finalize your registration.  

    If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Continuing Education Office at 570-271-6692 or email us at [email protected].