Michigan Quality Improvement Network (MQIN)
Michigan Quality Improvement Network
The Michigan Quality Improvement Network (MQIN) is the Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) for Michigan. HCCNs are networks of health centers that work together to strengthen and leverage health information technology (IT) to improve health centers’ operational and clinical practices that result in better health outcomes for the communities they serve. Established in 2012, MQIN is responsible for providing support to Michigan’s community health centers to provide the best care for their patients.
HRSA’s Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) are networks controlled and acting on behalf of health centers as defined and funded under Section 330(e)(1)(C) of the Public Health Service Act and must consist of at least 10 Health Center organizations.
HCCNs are networks of health centers that work together to strengthen and leverage health information technology (IT) to improve health centers’ operational and clinical practices that result in better health outcomes for the communities they serve.
Vision
To promote enhanced sharing of health care information, expertise, tools, and resources to address key clinical, financial, and operational needs through greater program integration.
Governance
The work of MQIN is governed by a leadership committee, which has participating health center representation from different areas and backgrounds including clinical, quality, health information technology, and administration.
Board Chair
Velma Hendershott
President and Chief Executive Officer
InterCare Community Health Network
Vice Chair
Jill Wise
Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Grace Health
Board Member
Kayla Berry
Director of QI and HI Management
Thunder Bay Community Health Service, Inc.
Board Member
Megan Erskine
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine’s Health Center
Board Member
Kim Farrow
Chief Executive Officer
Central City Health
Board Member
Deborah Harrington
HIM Directory and Corporate Privacy Officer
Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
Board Member
Trevor Hodges
Chief Executive Officer
Upper Great Lakes Family Health
Board Member
George Olson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sterling Area Health Center
Board Member
Kim Perry
Quality Director
Family Medical Center of Michigan
Board Member
Nancy Spencer
Chief Executive Officer
Alcona Health Centers
Board Member
Joshua Woodruff
Chief Information Officer
East Jordan Family Health Center
MQIN Staff
Phillip Bergquist
Chief Executive Officer
Faiyaz Syed, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer / HCCN Executive Director
Rob Pazdan, MBA
Chief Information Officer
Bruce Maki
Director of Health Information Technology
Alexis Martin
Digital Health Manager
Wendi Basel
EHR Operational Consultant
Alex Norton
EHR Clinical Consultant
Ashley Wozniak, BSN, RN-BC
EHR Behavioral Health Consultant
Katrina Coburn
EHR Dental Consultant
Amy Alward, RN, BSN
Director of Population Health
Misty Davis, RDH, BS
Oral Health Integration Manager
Cheryl Gildner
Director of Data and Analytics
Halli Rennaker
Data and Analytics Specialist
Marji Nichols, BSN, RN
Senior Clinical Performance Manager
Brittany Roman
Executive Assistant
Who We Serve
Currently, all eligible Michigan health centers are a part of MQIN, including 41 FQHCs and 1 look-alike. View the full list of MQIN member health centers below.
What We Do
Network members receive training and technical assistance from MQIN staff and expert consultants to improve performance, optimize resources, and leverage influence to create a supportive environment for health centers.
Each member health center designates a staff member as their MQIN Champion. This person acts as a liaison for information and the main contact point. Champions are eligible to sit on the MQIN Committee, which has representation in all areas of health centers including dental, medical, quality, and health information.
MQIN Current Funding Overview
Current Period of Performance: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2028
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement
Total Funding: $1,455,000.00 annually
MQIN will use this funding to support all the participating Michigan health centers in leveraging health information technology and data to deliver high-quality and comprehensive primary health care.
MQIN HRSA Required Objectives
1. Data Management and Analytics: Increase the percentage of PHCs that advance and optimize clinical, financial, and operations data to improve clinical quality, health outcomes, and operations.
Workplan Activities:
- Collaborative EHR (now branded miEpic)
- Continued support of existing HIT and data systems while onboarding collaborative EHR participants
- Data Privacy and Security
2. Interoperability and Data Sharing: Increase the percentage of PHCs that improve bidirectional interoperability with health care providers and community-based organizations by strengthening care coordination, reducing unnecessary medical testing and data duplication, and implementing more efficient and effective referral and information sharing processes to improve health outcomes and reduce provider burden.
Workplan Activities:
- DSO agreement with MiHIN
- AZARA Implementation and Optimization
- MQIN Quarterly Webinar
3. Data Modernization: Increase the percentage of PHCs that use Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) -based applications.
Workplan Activities:
- FHIR-based application development and support
- FHIR-based reporting
MQIN Elective Objectives
1. Additional Value-Based Care (VBC): Increase the percentage of PHCs that use data to update operational, financial, and clinical processes in health IT systems to prepare for, deliver, participate in, or update value-based care that enhances the patient and provider experience, improves health outcomes, and reduces health disparities, including those who are uninsured.
Workplan Activities:
- Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics Tool
- PHC Data Pilot
- Optimize Health Information and Data Use
2. Artificial Intelligence: Increase the percentage of PHCs that use safe, equitable, cost-effective and enhanced Artificial Intelligence tools to streamline clinical, financial and operational functions, reduce health disparities, and improve health outcomes.
Workplan Activities:
- AI Learning Collaborative
- AI-Powered Revenue Cycle Platform
Previous Project Timelines
- August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2025 (U86CS45882)
- August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2022 (HQ2CS30273)
- August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2019 (HQ2CS30273)
- August 1, 2012 – July 31, 2016 (HQ2CS25661)
For more information about MQIN, please email Bruce Maki.
This project is 100% supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U86CS45822 for the $1.455 million titled “Health Center Controlled Networks”. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.