Center for Population Health Management and Quality
The Center for Population Health Management and Quality at UTHealth Houston is a cornerstone for population health management, guiding operational efforts to deliver equitable, patient-centered care with the highest quality and efficiency.
Our values are rooted in evidence-based care, innovation and collaboration, centering impact and sustainability, and supporting patient-focused care.
Mission
To optimize health outcomes through:
- Continuous quality improvement
- Population health management
- Sustainable health care interventions
Six priority areas of The Center
Innovative systems improvement and quality
We align best practices for evidence-based care with population health management strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. We optimize resource utilization within UT Physicians by streamlining operations, maximizing efficiency, and strategically allocating resources to support impactful initiatives. We foster a culture of continuous improvement and promote a data-driven approach to health care. We ensure an organizational commitment to quality while maintaining a practice-level focus on population health management and safety. We also advance patient safety and quality as fundamental pillars of our mission.
Interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge integration
We cultivate strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, such as researchers, IT teams, and leaders from other UTHealth Houston schools, as well as external stakeholders like policymakers and community organizations, to drive comprehensive, sustainable improvements in health care. We bring together broad expertise to support effective problem-solving and knowledge-sharing. By strengthening strategic relationships with research organizations, we advance collaborative research, spark innovation in health care practices and policies, and ultimately improve health outcomes for the communities we serve.
Analytics and custom applications
We strengthen our data analytics capabilities to generate actionable insights, guide evidence-based decision-making, and assess the impact of interventions on population health. We identify and address inaccuracies and gaps in data while reducing workflow inefficiencies caused by excessive data manipulation, which can lead to errors and wasted time. We collaborate with operations teams, clinicians, faculty, and researchers to develop tailored software solutions that support operational efficiency, data collection, and patient engagement.
Access to health care and healthy living across the lifespan
We broaden health care access and deliver improved outcomes for every patient by addressing the various factors that influence well-being. We emphasize patient-centered care to create an environment where all individuals benefit from high-quality services and supportive resources.
Support network for learning, quality improvement (QI), and research
We provide guidance to new investigators, departments, and students, equipping them with the skills needed to conduct effective quality improvement (QI) and research projects at UT Physicians. This support fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation across the organization.
Pilot innovative projects
We collaborate with faculty and administrative leaders on quality improvement or research projects designed to improve health outcomes for our patients, fostering innovation and tangible advancements in care.
Repository of quality improvement (QI) and research resources at UTHealth Houston
Overall quality improvement and research resources
Discover quality improvement and research resources available across UTHealth Houston. This includes universitywide tools, departmental contacts, required forms, training programs, and submission procedures supporting both quality initiatives and research excellence.
Medical student, resident, and faculty resources
Explore quality improvement and research opportunities for residents and faculty. Access training programs, fellowships, scholarly activities, and department-based initiatives that support evidence-based care, patient safety, and academic advancement.
Physician and clinician resources
Learn more about quality improvement initiatives and peer-led project opportunities designed for physicians and clinical professionals. Explore leadership efforts, department-driven projects, and support tools to advance patient care and process improvement.
Master’s and PhD resources
Explore quality improvement and research training opportunities designed for graduate students. Find specialized courses, certification programs, project guidance, and access to institutional data tools that support academic and scholarly development.
Selected academic publications
- Chung TH, Hanley KR, Xie Y, et al. Implementation of the Zero Suicide framework with suicide prevention and intimate partner violence at outpatient clinics: Implementation & clinical impact. Ment Health Prev. 2025; volume 37.
- Gavvala S, Ruiz D, Thornton LR, Le Y-C, McKay S. Strengthening health care through community-based organizations. Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. September 20, 2024.
- Nguyen L, Chung TH, Le YCL, Reygaerts H, Olguin X, Zamorano A. Hispanic individuals’ cervical cancer screening disparities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Gynecol Oncol. 2024;190:243-2
- Stark K, Mathur M, Fok C, et al. Evaluation of a clinic-based, electronic social determinants of health screening and intervention in primary care pediatrics. Acad Pediatr. 2024;24(2):302-308.
- Higgason N, Nguyen L, Le YC, et al. Facilitators to cervical cancer screening in a minority, urban, underserved population. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2023.
- McKay S, Hafeez Z, Mathur Ml, et al. Tackling root causes: Screening and addressing non-medical drivers of health. Houston, TX: Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; March 29, 2024.
- Hanley K, Chung TH, Nguyen LK, Amadi T, Stansberry S, Yetman RJ, Foxhall LE, Bello R, Diallo T, Le YCL. Using electronic reminders to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among primary care patients. Vaccines. 2023;11(4):872.
- Chung TH, Hanley K, Le YC, Merchant A, Nascimento F, De Figueiredo JM, Wilcox HC, Coryell WH, Soares JC, Selvaraj S. A validation study of PHQ-9 suicide item with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale in outpatients with mood disorders at National Network of Depression Centers. J Affect Disord Rep. 2023;320:590-4.
- Sanches M, Nguyen LK, Chung TH, Nestadt P, Wilcox HC, Coryell WH, Soares JC, Selvaraj S. Anxiety symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among patients with mood disorders. J Affect Disord Rep. 2022;307:171-7.
- Chung TH, Nguyen LK, Lal LS, Swint JM, Le YC, Hanley KR, Siller E, Chanaud CM. Palliative Care Consultation in the Intensive Care Unit Reduces Hospital Costs: A Cost-Analysis. Journal of Palliative Care. 2022 Apr 26.
- Osaghae I, Nguyen LK, Chung TH, Moffitt O, Le YC, Suh MB, Prasad PN, Thomas EJ, Gordon CD, Hwang KO. Prevalence and factors associated with mental health symptoms in adults undergoing Covid-19 testing. J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:21501327211027100.
- Chung TH, Hernandez RJ, Libaud-Moal A, Nguyen LK, Lal LS, Swint JM, Lansangan PJ, Le YCL. The evaluation of comprehensive medication management for chronic diseases in primary care clinics, a Texas delivery system reform incentive payment program. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020;20:1-8.
- Girardet RG, Shellman AB, Llorens A, Nguyen L, Ellsworth M, Rennie K, Ha C. Evaluation of an intensive program for children with co-occurring medical and emotional disorders. Clin Pediatr. 2022;61(9):605-614.
- Holcomb J., Ferguson GM, Thornton L., Highfield L. 2022;9:918686. Development, implementation, and evaluation of Teach Back curriculum for community health workers. Front Med..
- Holcomb, J, Ferguson, GM, Thornton, L, Highfield, L. Development of training curriculum to improve patient communication skills and social support among community health workers. Health Lit Res Pract. 2022; 6(2): e142-e150.
Yen-Chi Le, PhD
Center Director and Lead for Systems Improvement & EHR Optimization
Executive Director, Innovation and Quality, UT Physicians
Thomas J. Murphy, MD
Center Co-director and Lead for Population Health in Community-based Medicine
Associate Dean for Community Affairs and Health Policy and Stanley Family Distinguished Chair of Population Health and Community Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, and Chief Medical Officer, UT Physicians Community-based Clinics
Eric J. Thomas, MD, MPH
Center Co-director and Lead for Patient Safety & Outcomes
Associate Dean for Healthcare Quality and Griff T. Ross Professor in Humanities and Technology in Health Care, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Ingrid Castillo, MPA, CLSSBB
Center Lead for Strategic Initiatives for Healthcare Payment Reform & Behavioral Health Programs
Director, Strategic Initiatives, UT Physicians
Kathleen Hanley, DrPH, MS, CHES
Center Lead for Health Promotion Planning & Evaluation and Education Initiatives
Manager, Project Management, UT Physicians
Linh Nguyen, PhD, MS
Center Lead for Evaluation, Behavioral Health, Maternal and Child Health, & Statistical Analysis
Senior Health Economist, UT Physicians
Hannah Reygaerts, PhD, MPH
Center Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Population Health Management
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UT Physicians
Sandra Stansberry, MPH
Center Lead for Innovation and Analytics
Director, Innovation & Analytics, UT Physicians
Jinni Tang, PhD, MPH, CHES
Center Project Manager
Project Manager I, Practice Plan
Logan Thornton, DrPH, MPH
Center Lead for Population Health and Evidence-based Practice
Executive Director, Health Services Delivery/ Population Health & Evidence-Based Practice, UT Physicians
Sahar Qashqai, MPH, CLSSBB
Associate Vice President, Quality and Strategy, UT Physicians
Cynthia Huehlefeld
Interim Chief Operating Officer, UT Physicians
Thomas J. Murphy, MD
Associate Dean for Community Affairs and Health Policy and Stanley Family Distinguished Chair of Population Health and Community Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston And Chief Medical Officer, UT Physicians Community-based Clinics
Eric J. Thomas, MD, MPH
Professor and Associate Dean for Healthcare Quality and Griff T. Ross Professor in Humanities and Technology in Health Care, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Kevin O. Hwang, MD
Professor, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Medical Director, UT Physicians Internal Medicine — Texas Medical Center
Julie S. Bortolotti, MD
Physician and Medical Director, UT Physicians Family Practice — Bayshore
Holly Holmes, MD, MS
Professor, Vice President of Community Engagement, Joan and Stanford Alexander Professor in Gerontology and Director of The Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Geriatric Medicine Specialist, UT Physicians
Mary Aitken, MD
Professor, Chair, and Dan L. Duncan Distinguished University Chair in Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School At UTHealth Houston
Pamela D. Berens, MD
Professor and Dr. John T. Armstrong Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGovern Medical School At UTHealth Houston And Ob-GYN Specialist, UT Physicians
In the News
- A dedicated group behind the scenes of Houston’s vaccine efforts
- HTI leads preventive care efforts highlighted by Epic
- Grant addresses need for follow-up after cervical cancer screenings
- UTHealth Houston employees present at Epic’s global conference
- UTHealth Houston shares EHR innovations at Epic UGM
- Online health education library
- Project to redesign clinical trials for neurologic conditions for underserved populations funded with $2.9M grant to UTHealth Houston
- Clinical Case Management Program achieves highest NCQA accreditation
- Senator acknowledges HOPE for moms at risk
- Cumulative Burden of Non-Medical Drivers of Health and Their Associations with Hospital Utilization
