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About Us

Arizona's Perinatal Quality Collaborative

The Arizona Perinatal Trust, also known as the Arizona Perinatal Regional System, is the state’s CDC-recognized perinatal quality collaborative. Organized in 1980 as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, the APT aims to improve the health of Arizona’s mothers and infants by improving perinatal health outcomes and targeting health disparities and equitable care through (a) oversight and operation of a voluntary hospital and facilities perinatal certification program (VCP), (b) statewide perinatal data collection, management, and analysis, and (c) educational offerings including an annual interdisciplinary conference. A volunteer professional board of almost 40 expert volunteer physicians, nurses, healthcare executives, and other state representatives provides governance and strategic direction through the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors and participates in the certification process.

 

The Arizona Perinatal Regional System fulfills its mission by working in close partnership with numerous community partners and state agencies, including the Arizona Department of Health, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), regional health care systems, and other likeminded contributory stakeholders. The Voluntary Certification Program provides an in-depth, continual quality improvement process that ensures hospital/facility capabilities and capacity align with established rigorous guidelines through a self-assessment process and a site visit by a team of expert peer professionals. Approximately 95% of infants delivered in Arizona occur in VCP-certified facilities. Confidential and de-identified perinatal quality data then contributes to the strategic prioritization to address quality gaps.

 

The VCP program serves as the APT’s primary funding source. Additional sources of funding include the annual perinatal conference, charitable donations, and grant funding, including a 2023 award from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development IMPROVE Initiative: Implementing a Maternal; health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone.

Our Core Values

Collaborative

Working cohesively and synergistically with state and national constituents seeking to improve and sustain perinatal health

Outcomes Improvement

Driving all efforts through data analysis as a foundational objective

Equity and Inclusion

Providing the overarching framework that guides all decision-making and action

Leadership

Facilitating positive change by exemplifying a commitment to service, integrity, and humility beyond self interest

Education

Functioning as a resource of best practice through acquisition, contribution to, and sharing of knowledge

Volunteer Interprofessional Expertise

Providing a unique model for action through a voluntary certification program that values service for the common good

our mission

Our mission is to improve parent and infant health outcomes by promoting quality, safety, equity, and inclusion. The Arizona Perinatal Trust achieves these aims through advocacy, education, collaboration, and certification.

Our Vision

The Arizona Perinatal Trust promotes and facilitates quality health, wellness, and equity for all parents, infants, and families as a regional and national leader.

ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES

  • Hospital Certification
  • Education
  • Advocacy

Volunteer Boards

2024

board of trustees

Trustees
  • Grayson Guzman, MD
  • Melissa Day-Johnson
  • Nancy Kinnard
  • Kathryn L. Reed, MD
  • Mark Shwer, MD
  • William Sowders, Esq.
  • Warren Whitney, MBA
Emeritus
  • Michael Clement
  • Joe Daily, MD
  • Len Kirschner, MD, MPH, FACOG
Consultants
  • Laura Luna Belluci, MBA, Chief, Bureau of Women's and Children's Health ADHS

2024

board of directors

  • President – Alan Bedrick, MD
  • Vice President – Mary Luster, MS-L, RN, NE-BC
  • Secretary – Hugh S. Miller, MD
  • Treasurer – Sarah Dent, MSN, RNC
Directors
  • Teresa Anzar, MSN, RNC-OB
  • Georgina “Gina” Barreras, MSN, RN
  • Mary “Gina” Connelly, MD
  • Curtis Cook, MD
  • Dean V. Coonrod, MD, MPH
  • Kimberly Couch, FNP, CNM, DNP
  • Lynn K. Daugherty, MHA, BSN, RN
  • Sarah Dent, MSN, RNC
  • Andrea Hassler, RN, MSN
  • Jan Hughes, PA
  • Shelly Lanagan, MS, WHNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM
  • Deb Ledington, MSN, NNP-BC
  • Michael MacKinnon, DNP, FNP-C, CRNA
  • Beth G. McManis, PhD, CNM, MS, FACNM
  • Debra Pace, RN, BSN
  • Lori-Ann Satran, MS-L, BSN, RN, ICBLCE
  • Lori Throne, MSN, RN, NE-BC
  • Kathy Walker, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC
Consultants
  • Odette Colburn, RN, BSN - ADHS (Licensing)
  • Eric Tack, MD, JD, MPH – AHCCCS
  • Shadie Tofigh, Director Maternal Infant Health, March of Dimes
  • Tina Pattara-Lau, MD, FACOG, LCDR, US Public Health Service

Leadership

Chief Executive Officer
Laurie Wood, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Robert Johnson, MD
President, APRS
Alan Bedrick, MD

Download Annual Reports

2021 ANNUAL REPORT PDF
2020 ANNUAL REPORT PDF
2019 ANNUAL REPORT PDF

Contact Us

Have a question, need information, or simply want to get in touch? We’re here for you! Fill out the form and our team will be happy to assist you. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Arizona Perinatal Trust

Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Friday: 8AM - 4PM
GET CERTIFIED
ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Helpful Links

  • 2024. ARIZONA PERINATAL TRUST - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Rhonda Anderson, RN

Dr. Anderson was Chief Executive Officer of Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona, a Banner
Health hospital from 2009 to 2016 and prior to that held numerous CEO, CNO, COO positions throughout the United States.

She currently is a healthcare consultant for RMA Consulting of Arizona and consultant and surveyor for Global Healthcare Accreditation. (GHA) She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and American College of Healthcare Trustees (ACHT). She is currently president of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Vice Chair of the Arizona Perinatal Trust (APT), Chair of the Arizona Nurses Foundation for the Future of Nursing (ANFFN) and Chair of the Elders of her church. She currently serves on four editorial boards, Chamberlain College of Nurses Board of Trustees, Make A Wish Board, Scottsdale Center for the Arts Board, American organization for Nurse Leaders Board, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association Board, Christian
Care Association Board, Products, Services and Education Committee for ACHE, Banyon Advisory Board of Directors, Proludent Board of Directors,
Motive Board of Directors, Grand Canyon University Nursing Advisory Board of Directors, Commission on Racism in Nursing Board of Directors, and Co-chair of the Commission on Nursing Reimbursement.

Warren Whitney

Senior Vice President of Government Affairs – Valleywise Health

Warren Whitney serves as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Valleywise Health, a public teaching hospital and safety net health care system. He directs the health system’s government affairs programs, legislative agenda and real estate strategy.

During more than 30 years in federal, state and county government roles, Warren served as Assistant Director of the Arizona Department of Administration, Deputy Secretary of State, Chief Administrator of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 3, and as a District Field Representative for then U.S. Congressman Jon Kyl. Previous board positions include two terms as an elected member of the Madison Elementary School District governing board, serving as both president and vice president, Valley of the Sun United Way, Central Arizona Shelter Services, the Veterans Medical Leadership Council and the Phoenix Museum of History, where he served as board president. He was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a “40 Under 40 Leader.” Warren earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arizona State University, and an MBA in Health System Management from Grand Canyon University.

Dr. Michael MacKinnon

Dr. Michael MacKinnon is a Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) and family nurse practitioner in Arizona. He is currently a managing partner in an anesthesia group located in the white mountains serving rural Arizonans. He received his doctorate from the University of Alabama and was inducted as a fellow in the AANA in 2021. He has a special interest in ultrasound regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and rural access to care. He has been practicing for 16 years 11 of which in rural Arizona.

In the professional arena, he has served on the Arizona Assoc. of Nurse Anesthesiology Board of Directors and two terms as President. Also serves on multiple AANA committees and Task Forces as both a member and chair and has served on CMS committees on cost containment and rural care as well.

Dr. Laurie S. Wood, Ph.D.

Dr. Laurie S. Wood, Ph.D., joined the Arizona Perinatal Trust as the chief executive officer in 2022. Laurie’s 28 years career span includes various leadership positions in the acute and behavioral health sectors in Arizona, Washington, Oregon, and California, with a history in operations and executive-level oversight. Past roles include CEO, COO, CNO, VP, AVP, executive, and WIS director. Dr. Wood’s leadership occurred in organizations representing each of the designated perinatal Levels of Care (I-IV) with experience in for-profit and nonprofit business models. Past employers include Oregon Health Sciences University, ValleyWise Health, HonorHealth, Kennewick General Hospital, and Connections Health Solutions. She also held faculty appointments with Educational Resources and Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Wood earned a BSN from CSU Humboldt, an MS from CSU Chico, and a Ph.D. in I/O from Grand Canyon University. Her research focus merges public health with organizational strategy to solve overarching societal problems directly targeting health disparities.