About VPQHC

The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization designated by the Vermont Legislature in 1988 as an independent, non-regulatory, peer review committee. Our organization brings together the entire spectrum of health care voices to focus on quality analysis and improvement.

Leading With Compassion

We foster a culture of empathy, respect, and care—both within our organization and in our interactions with those we serve. We actively listen, value all voices, and engage thoughtfully, using a range of perspectives and feedback to inform our actions.


Excellence in All We Do

We hold ourselves to the highest standards, striving for growth, innovation, and meaningful impact in all we do.


Collaborative Independence

VPQHC is intentionally independent—we value unbiased insight and objective thinking, while also embracing purposeful collaboration, knowing the strongest solutions emerge when diverse perspectives come together.


Evidence-Based Innovation

We drive continuous improvement through research, data, and best practices, fostering creativity and adapting to evolving needs.


Integrity and Trust

We act with honesty, accountability, and ethical responsibility, ensuring that our work is credible, clear, and impactful.



VPQHC’s mission is to reduce harm and save lives by advancing data-driven solutions that improve healthcare quality in Vermont.

  1. Expand Impact: Strengthen and grow VPQHC’s data-driven quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
  2. Demonstrate Leadership: Serve as Vermont’s leading, independent, neutral convener, champion, and trusted voice for healthcare quality. 
  3. Cultivate a Culture of Excellence: Equip Vermont healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge to drive and sustain a culture of excellence in care delivery. 

Our History

VPQHC is founded as an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of Vermont's healthcare system, governed by a coalition of providers, insurers, payers, employers, and patients.

The Vermont Legislature amends Statute § 1441, granting VPQHC peer review status, solidifying its role in health care quality improvement. VPQHC launches statewide quality efforts, implements a health care database, and provides continuous quality improvement (CQI) training.

VPQHC receives a grant to advance CQI training in Vermont hospitals, launches quality improvement projects in obstetrics, cardiology, orthopedics, mental health, AMI, CHF, patient satisfaction, and pneumonia.

VPQHC improves Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) rates, develops Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and pediatric ear infection, guidelines, establishes the first adverse drug-event registry, and collaborates on Vermont's mammography registry.

Vermont Statute 18 V.S.A. 9416 mandates VPQHC to implement and maintain a statewide quality system, reinforcing its role in evaluating and improving health care services.

VPQHC releases its first Vermont Health Care Quality Report, providing public insight into health care quality.

Focus on pediatric asthma, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease outcomes, launches mental health initiatives, and develops state guidelines for heart failure care.

VPQHC launches Vermont's first statewide colorectal cancer QI initiative, hosts the Birth Project Conference, enhances maternal and child health with American Academy of Pediatrics, and becomes Vermont Medicaid's External Quality Review Organization (EQRO).

VPQHC launches the Vermont Community Diabetes Collaborative, expands Chronic Care Collaboratives for diabetes and heart disease (this provides the foundation for the Blueprint for Health), and introduces EXCEL for end-of- life care (Excellent Collaboration for End-of-Life Care).

VPQHC launches a statewide learning community for QI, expands patient safety initiatives, and evaluates palliative care and chronic care programs.

VT Senate Resolution 196 honors Dr. Cyrus Jordan & Helen Riehle for advancing health care in Vermont. VPQHC supports RRMC's palliative care evaluation and leads VT's unique HAI prevention initiative statewide.

VPQHC manages the Patient Safety Surveillance and Improvement System (PSSIS) under the Vermont Department of Health and develops the Statewide Surgical Services Collaborative to reduce complications and healthcare costs. VPQHC establishes the Vermont Hospital Quality Directors learning Network.

VPQHC pivots to pandemic response by supporting telehealth, assisting the Vermont Department of Health hotline, launching health equity training, and enhancing telehealth access with 1,325 iPads distributed to 58 healthcare organizations across Vermont. VPQ expands suicide prevention efforts with CAMS training for independent mental health providers in Vermont.

Launches the Vermont Emergency Telepsychiatry Network (VETN), the Suicide Prevention in EDS QI Initiative, and the Hospital Health Equity QI Initiative. Thousands of pediatric comfort kits distributed to support children boarding in Vermont EDs. Recognized as "Vermont's Community Star" by the National State Offices of Rural Health in 2022. Supports peer-revised research on children boarding in Vermont EDS.

Developed the Vermont Hospital Quality Framework to establish meaningful metrics reflecting the hospital healthcare delivery system. Welcomed the Vermont Consultation & Psychiatry Access Program to VPQHC. Launched the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Care Collaborative & Innovation Network under a HRSA grant. Continued to manage Starting Over Strong (SOS) VT. Trained hospital EDs across Vermont in trauma responsive care with an expert clinician & peer-led training team.

Began leading the Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention with Center for Health & Learning, launched six-part "back to basics" QI 101 Training open to all Vermont healthcare providers. Launched the DBT Training Institute, and starts supporting transformation with a focus on quality under S.126.