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 transforms how participants view their roles, their work, and the hospital system they serve as they learn and apply proven quality improvement tools, processes, and knowledge to produce excellent and equitable outcomes for all patients.

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

Why Join Us?

  • This course helps accelerate the transformation of health and healthcare delivery as you learn key change management skills to improve outcomes for your patients and your community now and into the future
  • You will be supported by a personal QI (Quality Improvement) coach in translating classroom learning into action for an improvement opportunity in your healthcare setting
  • Make a direct impact in areas such as safety, productivity, clinical outcomes, patient-family experience, cost / business process and community health
  • Learn from and network with peers and faculty at Cincinnati Children's, a recognized leader in improving child health. We have graduated over 1,000 leaders from I2S2, with 89% having achieved measurable improvement by course end.

How We Guide Improvement

I²S² helps build a broader and deeper network of improvement leaders, accelerates cultural transformation and develops QI leadership skills and experience using the Model for Improvement and Deming’s “System of Profound Knowledge.” Participants work on an identified project in their system to drive meaningful improvements in care as they build their skills.

As a result of participating in I2S2 attendees will be able to:

  • Successfully apply Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge and Cincinnati Children’s Improvement Science Model to an improvement opportunity related to their role, work, or hospital system
  • Lead a team to generate meaningful change on a specific project by utilizing quality improvement tools to plan their project, understand the current state, develop goals, design tests of change, implement changes, and leverage what they learned to sustain those improvements
  • Collect data and utilize it to measure and demonstrate effect of tests of change on the desired outcome
  • Identify opportunities to increase the level of care every patient receives regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, zip code or socioeconomic status

Program Details

Who May Apply
Physicians, Researchers, Nurses, Administrative, and Non-Profit Leaders and/or Managers at the director level or above who want to make a measurable and meaningful 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. 
  • Applications are now being accepted until October 1. Late submissions will be accepted as space allows.
  • Accepted applicants will be contacted by October 29.

> Complete application form.

Class 45

  • Orientation Webinar – January 5, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Webinar 1 – January 19, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 1 (3 Days In-person) – February 9, 10, 11, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST
  • Webinar 2 – March 2, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 2 (3 Days In-person) – March 23, 24, 25, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST
  • Webinar 3 – April 13, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 3 (3 Days In-person) – May 4, 5, 6, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST
  • Webinar 4 – May 18, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 4 (2 Days In-person) – June 2, 3, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST

Class 46

  • Orientation Webinar – August 17, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Webinar 1 – August 31, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 1 (3 Days In-person) – September 21, 22, 23, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST
  • Webinar 2 – October 12, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 2 (3 Days In-person) – November 2, 3, 4, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST
  • Webinar 3 – November 30, 2027, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 3 (3 Days In-person) – December 14, 15, 16, 2027, 8am - 5pm EST
  • Webinar 4 – January 11, 2028, 12:30 - 3:30pm EST
  • Session 4 & Graduation (2 Days In-person) – January 26, 27, 2028, 8am - 5pm EST
  • 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.
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 with a balance of professional roles to maximize the learning experience.
Each student will have a minimum of one hour of coaching per month with a quality improvement coach. The coach is to provide technical feedback 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 support the student in determining project goals, planning, testing, learning and leading change. 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 $9,990 fee for the program will include:

  • Three three-day sessions, one two-day session, and four webinars
  • All program materials, tools, and textbooks
  • 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 (for in-person sessions)

Apply Now for Our 2026-2027 Courses

A scientist records data on a white board.

The application deadline for this cohort has been extended but time is limited. Please complete application and all required components as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

The fee for the course is $9,990.

> Download course brochure.