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| The Accreditation Preparation & Quality Improvement (APQI) held its annual business meeting at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. |
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| Melisa H. Pierce, Ed.D., MPA |
The APQI, a national community of practice, supports professionals involved in accreditation and quality improvement for undergraduate medical education programs. The group provides resources, advocacy, professional development, and a collaborative network for addressing challenges and sharing best practices.
Pierce has been an active member of APQI, participating as a panelist for webinars, sharing educational resources, and presenting best practices for accreditation and quality improvement at national conferences. As chair, she will lead the steering committee in achieving its strategic goals, preside over annual business meetings, and guide initiatives to enhance accreditation practices and foster collaboration among medical schools.
“Our group has a vast amount of expertise and talent,” Pierce said. “We are doing the work, creating and refining best practices, and improving outcomes, but we must also ensure this work is accessible to the broader community through peer-reviewed journals. By showcasing data-driven outcomes, we can enable others to apply these best practices and strengthen accreditation and quality improvement efforts across medical education.”
Pierce emphasized the critical role of collaboration in advancing APQI’s mission. “This group thrives on bringing together professionals from diverse institutions to share knowledge, identify gaps, and develop innovative solutions,” she said. “Collaboration drives the innovation and research needed to support accreditation and quality improvement at a systemic level.”
She added that the importance of publishing the work done by APQI members cannot be overstated. “Our efforts have the power to influence and improve medical education globally,” Pierce said. “Publishing our findings ensures that the work we do reaches beyond our immediate circles and contributes meaningfully to the field.”
Tim Gilbert, Ed.D., associate dean for accreditation and planning at the Whiddon College of Medicine, said, “The selection of Dr. Pierce to lead the APQI group is a validation of the leadership we enjoy at South Alabama. This is one more example of national medical education leaders looking to the Whiddon College of Medicine for guidance.”
Pierce expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and accomplished group. “I am humbled to lead this incredible group of experts in the field,” she said. “Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in accreditation and quality improvement, and it is a privilege to lead this effort and represent the Whiddon College of Medicine in this capacity.”
