J. Michael Straughn, M.D.
Associate Chief Medical & Quality Officer, Women & Infants Services
Vice Chair of Quality & Patient Safety, OB/GYN
Greta Simmon, RN
Quality Manager
Frances S Burgan, M.D.
Medical Director
Carolyn M Webster, M.D.
Medical Director
Haller J Smith, M.D.
Medical Director
Teresa L Boitano, M.D.
Medical Director
Christy Nation, MSHA, BSN, RN
Senior Director of Women & Infants Nursing
Lynn Jeter, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, Women and Infant Programs and Quality
Laura M Money, MSN, RN
Labor & Deliver Manager
Jennifer M Kelley, MSN, MSHA, APRN, AMB-BC
Vice Chair of Strategy and Clinical Operations
Senior Administrator of Clinical Affairs
Brian P Gleason, M.D.
Bethany M Tidwell, DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC
Senior Director, OB/GYN Clinical Services
Andi Farley, CRNP, WHNP-BC
Advanced Practice Provider Manager
OB/GYN Executive Quality Committee (EQC)
The Executive Quality Committee (EQC) was established in 2017 to advance quality, safety, and performance improvement across the Department of OB/GYN. The committee includes the Medical Directors for the Obstetrics Service, Gynecologic Service, and Ambulatory Clinics, along with key faculty, nursing leadership, and the Quality and Clinical Data Manager.
The EQC oversees a broad portfolio of activities, including:
- Patient safety and mortality review
- Residents on Quality (ROQ) oversight and review
- Surgical Site Infection (SSI) prevention
- Departmental Quality Improvement (QI) projects
- Communication and systems improvement
- Quality scorecard monitoring
- Perinatal core measures
Each month, the EQC conducts structured reviews of clinical cases collected from multiple sources such as the ROQ database, trend trackers, and the Patient Safety Committee. When additional investigation or opportunities for system improvement are identified, the EQC requests detailed faculty or fellow case reviews.
Beyond case review, the EQC proactively identifies Performance Improvement (PI) opportunities and conducts Plan–Do–Assess (PDA) cycles that may lead to operational or practice changes. The EQC also serves as a resource for department faculty and staff seeking to develop and implement new PI initiatives. In addition, the EQC functions as a central repository for departmental PI and Quality projects, providing institutional continuity and transparency.
Residents on Quality (ROQ)
A key function of the EQC is oversight of the Residents on Quality (ROQ) program, which promotes structured resident and fellow involvement in the Department’s QI process. Upper-level residents are required to submit qualifying cases from their Obstetric and Gynecologic rotations to the Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) database. These cases are entered into the ROQ REDCap database by the two lead ROQ members and assigned to team members for detailed review. ROQ cases are reviewed collaboratively with faculty leads to determine which cases will be presented at the QI Conference. The Quality and Clinical Data Manager also reviews ROQ submissions to identify cases appropriate for discussion at the EQC level.
Departmental Quality Committee
The Departmental Quality Committee brings together residents, fellows, and faculty representing all divisions within the Department of OB/GYN. This group is responsible for leading QI projects and advancing quality initiatives that directly improve clinical care and patient outcomes. Meeting quarterly, the committee has initiated numerous successful QI projects that have enhanced the safety, efficiency, and quality of care provided by the Department. Working in close partnership with the EQC, the Departmental Quality Committee has completed and sustained multiple initiatives over the past decade that demonstrate measurable improvements in patient outcomes and system performance.