More than 50 people attended the October Los Angeles Society for Healthcare Improvement Professionals (SHIP) chapter meeting hosted at Keck Medical Center.SHIP is a new membership organization dedicated to the professional development and credentialing of performance improvement (PI), Lean and Six Sigma health care professionals across the country.

Featured presenter Kevin Kaldjian, director of Performance Management at Keck Medical Center, followed an introduction by SHIP and Institute for Performance Excellence (IPE) President Jennifer Wortham, Dr.PH, and chapter president, Paige Heaphy of Cedars-Sinai Health System. Kaldjian reviewed results from PI projects within his organization, including pharmacy and ER departments.

Along with the brief presentation and a post-event facility tour, members participated in an interactive breakout session, allowing small groups to discuss their work and share strategies for successful performance improvement programs at their hospitals.

“The SHIP meetings provide an excellent opportunity to share with colleagues, both old and new. The sharing of strong practices is a highlight,” says Carol A. Keller, VA Greater Los Angeles Systems Redesign Chief.

Also highlighted was the organization’s new publication, the Journal of the Society for Healthcare Improvement Professionals. Dr. David Belson, editor-in-chief, provided a brief overview of the journal focused on articles and case studies that describe innovations and practical applications of performance improvement in health care.  A free subscription is available at www.jship.org.

Visit www.shipus.org for other opportunities to meet members, exchange ideas and further develop your understanding of the field. Membership is free.

Contact: Jennifer Wortham
(213) 538-0700, jwortham@ipeus.org