The National Quality Center (NQC) has created the Quality of Care Award Program to recognize Ryan White Program grantees, organizations and individuals across all Parts that have demonstrated outstanding progress in improving the quality of HIV care. NQC aims to acknowledge excellence among Ryan White Program-funded grantees and promote these quality champions to further spread quality improvement. The National Quality Center initiated this Program in 2008 and will present its Quality of Care Awards annually.

The NQC seeks applications to recognize those Ryan White grantees from all Parts who have made exceptional improvements in their quality of HIV care in any of the following categories:

Award for Performance Measurement – this Award honors grantees that have significantly strengthened their ability to measure the quality of HIV care and/or services. Those who have demonstrated a strong ability to collect and share data across Parts in their region will be given strong consideration. This Award may be given to an individual grantee or a group of grantees.

Award for Quality Improvement Activities - this Award recognizes grantees that have conceptualized and carried out a particular project that led to significant improvement in patient care (i.e., annual pap tests, retention rates, etc.) In order to qualify for this Award, applicants must provide data showing the improvement and maintenance of high performance rates, as well as a description of efforts made to sustain improvements made. This Award may be given to an individual grantee or a group of grantees working on the same quality improvement project.

Award for Quality Management Infrastructure Development - one of the most essential aspects of quality improvement is the development of a sustainable quality management infrastructure. This Award honors organizations that have shown commitment to substantial infrastructural change to effectively support and sustain quality improvement initiatives. This Award may be given to an individual grantee or a network of grantees.

Award for Leadership in Quality - this Award will be granted to individuals who have demonstrated effective leadership and championed quality improvement at a regional or national level.

To apply or recommend an individual and/or organization, simply fill out the necessary application form and email it to Kevin@NationalQualityCenter.org. The Awards are reviewed by NQC staff in collaboration with HAB staff and awarded each year in September. Please check back in the fall for details on how to apply for the 2010 NQC Awards.