ACHIA grew out of Asthma Quality Improvement Collaboratives brought to our state by the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AL-AAP) in 2009.  After several cycles of asthma collaboratives, the AL-AAP realized the power of practice transformation but also that for QI work to be sustained, more partners need to be engaged.

In the summer of 2013, Children’s of Alabama hosted a group of interested stake holders brought together by the AL-AAP to learn more about the impact of Improvement Partnerships that were being established across the country.  Judy Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, FAAP and Chuck Norlin, MD from the National Improvement Partnership Network were guest speakers. From the inaugural meeting, ACHIA’s Steering Committee was formed and has supported and guided ACHIA’s evolution.