HCQM News and Updates

ABQAURP's 2021 Annual Health Care Quality & Patient Safety Conference
April 29-30, 2021 - Sheraton Sand Key Resort - Clearwater Beach, FL

ABQAURP’s 2021 Annual Health Care Quality & Patient Safety Conference is an opportunity to hear from other health care leaders to gain resources to nurture a culture of safety and build healthy communication between providers. Expert faculty will provide insight into new technology, substance use disorders, documentation needs for value-based care, and assess the impact of a global pandemic throughout the health care community.


Your health and safety is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring that our host hotel and conference facilities have COVID-19 safety protocols and prevention strategies in place. We will be incorporating the highest standards to include temperature screenings of all participants, staff, and faculty. Conference seating will be six feet apart, with face coverings required in all public indoor spaces.

We invite you to join your colleagues in Clearwater Beach! Register for the Conference Now!

Don't Forget Your Room Reservations!

Our discounted room rate of $210 is only available through March 28, 2021. Don't miss this opportunity to stay at the conference location at this great rate! Read Sheraton's COVID-19 updates and what to expect during your stay HERE. To read about St. Petersburg-Clearwater's Visiting Responsibly tips, CLICK HERE.

Reserve Your Room Now!


Visit our Sponsors and Exhibitors:

A Message from our Corporate Member: Sound Advisory Services

Sound Advisory Services is conducting a nationwide survey to analyze trends in physician advisory services programs, and the potential for these programs to impact key hospital metrics. As key professionals in the field, we’d like to hear from you. The survey should take less than ten minutes to complete, and all responses will remain anonymous. Once the survey period is complete, we will share the results of the report in a future newsletter.

Take the survey


Announcing the CHCQM Diplomate Achievement Award Winner

ABQAURP is pleased to announce the selection of Benjamin N. Kartchner, MD, CHCQM-PHYADV, as the recipient of the 2021 CHCQM Diplomate Achievement Award.

Dr. Kartchner is the ideal candidate for the Award demonstrating collaboration of teams to facilitate communication and efficiently leverage clinical COVID-19 testing data that indicated a marked improvement in patient safety.

ABQAURP extends a sincere Thank You to Dr. Kartchner, his team, and all those who submitted outstanding achievements in quality and patient safety that have led to improvement, positive outcomes, and the advancement of HCQM and PS.

For details about all the award submissions, click here.



Announcing the 2020 Membership Referral Winner

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Joanna Kipnes is our newest Membership Referral Drive winner.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Kipnes for her dedication to Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM)! Member participation and influence help ABQAURP to foster the concepts of health quality and safety throughout the health care system. Improved patient care is the result of our combined efforts.

Joanna Kipnes, MD, MS, FHM, CHCQM-PHYADV, is the Medical Director of Utilization Management for Duke University Health System and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine. She leads a successful physician advisor program that spans three hospitals and works clinically as an academic hospitalist. She was certified in HCQM with a Physician Advisor sub-specialty in 2019.

We are proud to have Dr. Kipnes and her colleagues as members!

You could be next! 2021 Membership Referral Drive

Refer your colleagues! Your involvement in the 2021 membership development program plays an essential role in the vitality of your organization. Diplomates and Members are our most valuable resource! To say thanks and recognize your commitment to quality, ABQAURP credits your account $25.00 for each referral that becomes a Member or sits for the HCQM Exam. The member who recruits the most is awarded a Member Spotlight in the ABQAURP newsletter, a $500 Visa Gift Card, and registration for the annual conference with CME/CE.

Don't miss this opportunity to advance your association's goals and save money on your annual fees!

Membership Referral Program Details


Now Taking Applications for the 2021 HCQM Certification Exam!

Certification in Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) is for physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals who are committed to Health Care Quality and Patient Safety. Validate your expertise by earning the Certified in Health Care Quality and Management (CHCQM) credential!

The 2021 HCQM Exam window will be open from June 1 through September 30, 2021. Apply early for your choice of date, time, and location. New for this year: remote testing available through ProProctor™. The ProProctor remote testing platform allows candidates to test anywhere, at any time.

Save up to $125 on the HCQM Certification Exam and CBK Online Course
by March 25, 2021

Use Promo Code: NEWS2021 to Save $75 on the CBK course in conjunction with $50 off Early Registration Exam Fee!
Additional Sub-Specialties are available:
  • Case Management
  • Managed Care
  • Patient Safety/Risk Management
  • Physician Advisor (physicians only)
  • Transitions of Care
  • Workers' Compensation
ACPA The Health Care Quality and Management Certification and the Physician Advisor Sub-Specialty are endorsed by the American College of Physician Advisors.


Is Your Continuing Medical Education Accredited?

ACCME commendation ABQAURP welcomes applications for joint providership of educational activities for continuing medical education credit. ABQAURP accredits a variety of activities including live activities, enduring materials, and more.

As an accredited provider, ABQAURP works with each joint provider organization to ensure the accreditation process runs as smoothly as possible.

For more information, please call Deborah Naser at (800) 998-6030, ext. 118 or CLICK HERE for details.