Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

Department of Pediatrics Heersink School of Medicine

Pediatric Office for Improvement Science

POISE LogoMission & Vision

The Pediatric Office for Improvement Science was created to realize improvement in patient outcomes for children across the state of Alabama by connecting departmental resources with divisional stakeholders, sharing opportunities for education and training, and advancing the quality of care using fundamentals of improvement science. 

   

QI Directors

Adolfo Molina, MD, MSHQS

Adolfo Molina, MD, MSHQS

Emily Smitherman, MD

Emily Smitherman, MD

QI Faculty

Physician Quality Officers with the UAB Department of Pediatrics are established leaders in quality improvement informed by formalized training and dedication to improvement within and beyond their subspecialty. Through their engagement with the POISE office they will serve as resources for education and coaching to help advance the academic productivity of quality work across the Department. 

Amy Cajacob, MD

Amy Cajacob, MD

Nicholas Cajacob, MD

Nicholas Cajacob, MD

David Galloway, MD

David Galloway, MD

Samantha Hanna, MD

Samantha Hanna, MD

Meghan Harrison, M.D.

Meghan Harrison, M.D.

Rachel Kassel, MD

Rachel Kassel, M.D.

Ashley Moellinger, NP

Ashley Moellinger, NP

Jeremy Loberger, MD

Jeremy Loberger, MD

Jessica Schmitt, MD

Jessica Schmitt, MD

Clinical Outcomes Coordinator

Mahek Virani, MPH

Mahek Virani, MPH

Program Coordinator

Anne Kinyua

 Anne Kinyua

QI Resources

  • QI Resources

    Below are resources developed at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and control chart templates developed at Cincinnati Children’s (CC). To access IHI resources you will need an account, however it is free to create an account. CC resources access will require a MedHub login. Should you have questions in how to use or access these resources, email us at: POISE@uabmc.edu

    1. Control Charts 

    2. Key Driver Diagram 

    3. FMEA 

    4. PDSA Cycle orksheet 

    5. PPT banded templates 

  • Education

    1. Coming Up: QI Writing Workshop

    Join POISE for our annual QI Writing Workshop, open to all providers, staff and trainees—whether you have a project or are just getting started.

    Learn the structure of a QI manuscript using SQUIRE guidelines, participate in guided writing sessions and leave with a manuscript draft while building a supportive writing community.

    Dates: August 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2026
    Time: 12:00 PM | Location: Zoom
    Led by: Dr. Emily Smitherman
    Register at here

  • Funding Opportunities

    Click here to learn about on campus opportunities to fund your improvement work.

  • QI Project Assistance

    There are multiple ways to get support from the POISE office. Should you want to engage with both the POISE office and Performance Improvement and gain the perspective of our range of improvement specialists, you can sign up for QI Office Hours below. If you have a specific question or would like ongoing coaching from one of our QI Faculty, please reach out to the POISE office at the contact below.

    Support Request Form

    POISE Co-Directors: POISE@uabmc.edu

  • MOC Part 4

    For information related to MOC Part 4 and to submit your project, click the link below: https://www.childrensal.org/maintenance-certification/maintenance-certification-overview

  • QI Quarterly

    The QI Quarterly was curated to keep leadership informed of our progress, review aspects of the office, and spotlight successes. If you’d like to be added to our distribution list, contact us at: POISE@uabmc.edu

    QI Quarterly Volume 7: 2024 Review

    QI Quarterly Volume 4: April - June 2023

    QI Quarterly Volume 3: January - March 2023

    QI Quarterly Volume 2: October - December 2022

  • QI Journal List

    image002

Past Successes

  • QIing Your QI: A 13-Year Experience of a Pediatric Residency QI Program

    QIing Your QI: A 13-Year Experience of a Pediatric Residency QI Program

    Project Members: Adolfo Leonel Molina, Michele K. Nichols, Colm P. Travers, Stephanie Berger, Emily A. Smitherman, David P. Galloway, Rachel Kassel, Samuel Gentle, Andrea Kennedy, Chang L. Wu, Susan Walley

    About the Initiative: This initiative aimed to strengthen a pediatric residency Quality Improvement (QI) program by improving the rigor and consistency of resident-led QI projects. Using the Model for Improvement, the program implemented phased interventions over 13 years, including structured didactics, mentorship, and enhanced resources to support residents in developing meaningful QI work.
    SMART Aim: The program aimed to increase the percentage of resident QI projects with clearly defined SMART aims to 90% and increase the use of QI graphs (run charts or SPC charts) to 75% by 2024.
  • Improving Unplanned Extubation Rates in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

    Improving Unplanned Extubation Rates in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

    Project Members: Christy L. Thomas, Jordan M. Unlap, Caleb R. Watson, Ryan M. Jones, Robert W. Park, Vicki S. Shinick, Nancy M. Tofil, Jordan W. Newman, Jeremy M. Loberger

    About the Initiative: This quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce unplanned extubations (UE) in a pediatric intensive care unit, a preventable event associated with increased morbidity and healthcare costs. Through a series of targeted interventions—including implementation of a prevention bundle, standardized practices, and the introduction of a dedicated QI respiratory therapist—the team worked to improve patient safety and reduce harm.

    SMART Aim: The goal was to decrease the rate of unplanned extubations per 100 invasive ventilation days by 50% through multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.

  • Working Toward Viral Suppression and retention in care

    Working Toward Viral Suppression and retention in care

    Project Members: Claudette Poole, Celia Hutto, Audrey Lloyd, Heather Reylea, Christa Nevin, Sheila Stills, Lori Mills, Lauren Marefka, Nanyamke Foreman, Andy Yousef, Dayna Cook

    About the Initiative: The goal in HIV care is to achieve sustained virologic suppression. By natioanl standards, a suppressed viral load is considered a viral load of < 200 copies/mL. Patients who are able to keep their viral load < 200 copies/mL have a much better prognosis and much lower risk of transmission. The factor that is most closely correlated to achieving sustained virologic suppression is remaining engaged in clinical care.

    SMART Aim: For virologic suppression: the goal is to increase our percentage of patients with a viral load of < 200 from 81% to above the national percentage of 87% from 10/1/ 2022 to December 1, 2023