The Society for Healthcare Improvement Professionals (SHIP) held its first Portland chapter meeting Nov. 5 at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Portland. More than 30 attended the meeting geared for those interested in Lean, Six Sigma and performance improvement work in health care settings.

Themed Enhancing the Patient Experience, Kate Pillar, MA, MPH, of OSHU Family Medicine at Richmond, presented “Standardization of MA Rooming Process.” Kathy Haberly, Center for Healthcare Improvement Coordinator at Peace Harbor Hospital, presented “Lean Transformation.”

The event’s mistress of ceremonies was Portland chapter president Kelly Rinehart, RN, CNOR, RNFA, CPHRM, executive consultant with Institute for Performance Excellence (IPE) and principal at Medical Risk Consulting, with SHIP president Jennifer Wortham providing an update of SHIP and IPE activities.

SHIP is a virtual community dedicated to professional development of performance improvement, Lean and Six Sigma health care professionals from across the country. Chapters provide the opportunity for local performance improvement experts to network and engage with one another in a social environment.

Sign up for a free SHIP membership at www.shipus.org to access one of the three chapter pages (Los Angeles, Portland, Tennessee) or to express interest in establishing a chapter in your area. The website also has Lean-focused tools and resources available to all members.

The next Portland chapter meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2013 at a location to be determined.

Contact: Jennifer Wortham
(626) 633-6437, jwortham@ipeus.org