Interview with Jacque De Fouw 2

2. One organization that is working to transform and regenerate the health care system of the mid-south is the Memphis Quality Initiative (MQI). Their goal is to be [a] catalyst, a resource, and a capacity-builder for health care quality improvement in the Mid-South. By working together, member hospitals strive to provide the right care to every patient, every time. [This includes]: pursuing perfection by providing care that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered, encouraging patient-centered customized care while discouraging unwarranted variation, improving care by sharing quality initiatives among medical and administrative professionals. Would you say that these goals are being met?

I’m not really involved in much of what the city is doing. I know of health initiatives that they have, but I’m not sure if they are through the program which you’re speaking. I know that one of the big initiatives is to eradicate syphilis from the city. They have a coalition that goes around and does free HIV and syphilis testing in different areas. They offer this free testing at different times, especially on awareness days. They used to come to the college campus and provide it for us for free every other month. I know that the city is active in doing things. I’m more concerned with health college campuses.