12/1/2015
Amy Houtrow, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., chief of the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, has been selected for a position on the National Quality Forum Pediatric Standing Committee for the Pediatric Measurement Endorsement Project.
Dr. Houtrow joins an elite group of clinicians, researchers, administrators and advocates who are evaluating measures related to child health that will be used for public reporting and accountability for all pediatric populations and in all settings of care.
“I am honored to join this committee and particularly excited to evaluate measures that address the management of chronic health conditions among children and youth,” said Dr. Houtrow, also associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “The National Quality Forum has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in helping make pediatric outcomes better.”
Launched in July 2015, the project will address topic areas that include preventive services, management of acute conditions and management of chronic conditions for children and adolescents.
The 27-member steering committee will evaluate newly submitted measures and make recommendations for which measures should be endorsed as national consensus standards for accountability and quality improvement in pediatric care.
“Addressing health concerns successfully in childhood helps set the stage for better outcomes and quality of life among adults with chronic conditions,” said Michael Boninger, M.D., chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.
Dr. Houtrow is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. She also holds an M.P.H. in health policy and a Ph.D. in medical sociology. Her clinical focus is caring for children with disabling conditions and improving their health, function and quality of life. Her research evaluates trends in disabilities among children and how to improve health services to optimize outcomes.
In addition to the National Quality Forum committee, Dr. Houtrow serves on the Institute of Medicine Standing Committee of Medical Experts to Assist Social Security on Disability Issues.
For more information on Dr. Houtrow, visit www.chp.edu.