Alumni/ae Spotlight

Janet R. Lynch (Ph.D. ‘88)
Chief Quality Initiatives Officer
Virginia Health Quality Center

If you want to learn about and implement quality improvement initiatives in your health care organization, you want to talk with Janet Lynch, the Chief Quality Initiatives Officer of the Virginia Health Quality Center (VHQC), a health care quality improvement organization based in Richmond, Virginia.

Before joining VHQC, and after receiving her Ph.D. in Health Services Organization and Research from VCU’s Department of Health Administration, Janet served as the Director of Virginia’s Long-Term Care Council, Virginia Department for the Aging (VLTCC) (1990-1992); the Health Resources Development Director, Virginia Health Services Cost Review Council (VHSCRC) (1992 – 1996); and the Director of Regulatory and Academic Affairs, Managed Care Resources (1996-1997).

In her role as the Chief Quality Initiatives Officer, Janet leads the Division of Quality Improvement Projects of the VHQC in conducting all projects and studies, both clinical and financial, performed under state, federal, and private contracts. She prepares technical reports, supervises project managers, analysts and subcontractors, as well as contributes to grant applications and proposals for new business development.

The VHQC’s largest contract, with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, designates the VHQC to serve as the quality improvement organization for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VHQC has held the CMS contract to provide quality improvement and Medicare beneficiary outreach services in Virginia for more than 18 years.

VHQC also offers services to a wide range of clients who are interested in assessing and improving the quality of health care for a variety of populations. In operation for almost 20 years, VHQC partners with Virginia’s health care community to improve patient care for over 900,000 Virginia Medicare beneficiaries. This includes providing quality improvement assistance in a number of clinical topic areas to providers in various health care settings, including Virginia's acute care hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, and home health agencies. VHQC is the recipient of the 2002 US Senate Productivity and Quality Award Plaque for Progress in Performance Excellence, the highest level award bestowed on an organization in Virginia during 2002.

Janet is an Affiliate Associate Professor for HAD. Up until recently she served as the doctoral representative on the Alumni/ae Executive Committee for the Department. She is an active HAD supporter through various guest lectures and is on a doctoral dissertation committee. HAD is proud of her accomplishments and thanks her for her continued support of the Department and its students.