James M Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence
Intermediate Improvement Science Series

Intermediate Improvement Science Series (I²S²)

At Cincinnati Children’s, the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence is transforming the delivery of care through improvement science. Our Intermediate Improvement Science Series (I²S²) is an accredited course that supports the transformation of health systems and catalyzes the cultural shift necessary to be a leader in improving child health.

We welcome leaders from other healthcare systems outside of Cincinnati Children’s to apply for the program.

Why Join Us?

  • Cincinnati Children’s is a recognized leader in improving child health.
  • The Anderson Center is committed to developing the next generation of leaders who will accelerate the trans­formation of health. Learn our approach and apply it in your system.
  • We deliver proven results. The I²S² course has developed more than 675 QI leaders, with 88 percent of I²S² projects driving real-time results in key areas by the end of the course.
  • Personal coaching between class sessions helps maximize learning and translates classroom teaching into action.
  • You can make a direct impact in areas such as safety, productivity, clinical outcomes, patient-family experience, cost / busi­ness process and community health.

How We Guide Improvement

I²S² helps build a broader and deeper network of improvement leaders, brings about continued cultural transformation and develops skill and experience through the Model for Improvement as based on Deming’s “System of Profound Knowledge.” Participants work on a real project in their system to drive immediate improvements in care as they build their skills.

Program Details

Physicians, nurses, allied health and nonclinical leaders at the director level or above who want to make an imme­diate impact in their health system.
  • Candidates should hold a leadership role as a physician, nurse, allied health professional or administrator.
  • This leadership role should include the ability to influence project design and assemble and lead a project team.
  • The participant has a working knowledge of quality improvement principles and methods. 

We are now accepting applications for the December 2023 I2S2 class. Application deadline is September 5, 2023.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance by September 5, 2023.

> Download application form to apply.

I2S2 38 Webinars & Sessions

  • Webinar 1 - August 16, 2023 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 1 - September 19, 20, 21, 2023
  • Webinar 2 - October 4, 2023 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 2 - October 24, 25, 26, 2023
  • Webinar 3 - November 15, 2023 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 3 - December 12, 13, 14, 2023
  • Webinar 4 - January 10, 2024 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 4 - February 7, 8, 2024

I2S2 39 Webinars and Sessions

  • Webinar 1 - December 5, 2023 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 1 - January 16, 17, 18, 2024
  • Webinar 2- February 14, 2024 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 2- February 27, 28, 29, 2024
  • Webinar 3- March 13, 2024 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 3 - April 9, 10, 11, 2024
  • Webinar 4 - May 8, 2024 1:30 to 4pm (EST)
  • Session 4 - June 5, 6, 2024
  • 100 percent participation in all classroom and webinar activities is required. Please apply for a later course if you have known schedule conflicts.
  • Participants must have the authority in their organizations to form a project team and conduct tests of change on existing processes and/or develop and test new processes.
  • The webinars require a high-speed internet connection and telephone for audio.
Expert faculty members lead the course in understanding variation, appreciation of the system, theory of knowledge / action-learning and psychology / change management. Instructional methodologies include lectures, large- and small-group discussion, application exercises, project presentations, and interactive learning in the spirit of “all teach, all learn.” Class size is limited to 28 participants with a balance of professional roles to maximize the learning experience.
Each student will have one hour per month of telephone access to a quality improvement coach. The role of the coach is to provide technical feedback to the student regarding the quality methods and tools used during the student’s improvement project. Coaches may also provide additional quality improvement and change management instruction to assist the student in determining his or her project goals and planning a testing approach. Coaching sessions are available by appointment only. The coach is not a member of the student’s project team and is not responsible for project outcomes.

The $9,000 fee for the program will include:

  • Three 3-day sessions, one two-day session and four webinars
  • All program materials, tools and The Improvement Guide textbook
  • Breakfast and lunch during each classroom session (if in person)

The program fee does not include:

  • Your travel and lodging expenses (if sessions are in person)
  • Technology expenses such as Microsoft Office software (Apple software is incompatible with our templates), internet connection or telephone charges
  • Personal expenses while traveling (if sessions are in person)

Apply Now for Our 2023-2024 Courses

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Complete and submit an application form by September 5, 2023. Applications received after the deadline will be considered based on availability..

The fee for the course is $9,000.

> Download course brochure.