Christine Ivery, MPH, CHES, has joined the Quality Institute as a Program Officer. Ivery brings deep experience as a public health leader and educator dedicated to health equity. 

Can you tell us about yourself and what drew you to the Quality Institute? 

I grew up in Pennsauken, in Camden County. My mother is a nurse, and I was inspired to follow her in health care. As I grew up, I came to see public health as an area that I could pursue. Instead of a clinician-to-patient care focus, I found interest in having an impact on communities through a population health approach. 

And as I saw the disparities in my own back yard, I realized my passion was to bridge the gaps that I saw around me. The Quality Institute’s mission aligns with my values and works to create actionable ways to improve safety, affordability, and wellness for all individuals. That is a priority for me. 

What will be your initial areas of focus at the Quality Institute? 

I’ll be amplifying the voices of community members and patients, as well as working closely with hospitals and partners. One focus is creating spaces so members from all our communities will be at the table for critical conversations. A first focus will be maternal child health. I’ll be working on TeamBirth NJ, a unique program that creates a culture of shared decision-making and advocacy while opening lines of communication among patients and providers.  

How will your experience working with people who are pregnant inform your work at the Quality Institute?  

Through my work I’ve learned the value of creating spaces for people who are pregnant to provide feedback. It’s critical that we have their insight to inform our work. And the partners —midwives, doulas, physicians — everybody can contribute to the conversation. That’s how you break down silos and improve outcomes.  

In your work, you recognize the value of data. How do you see data driving health equity? 

You need data to understand the baseline of where we are in New Jersey. We need quantitative data to understand maternal child outcomes and to learn if our initiatives are making a difference. The second part is qualitative data, an area I have worked on closely in my career. It’s about extracting voices from communities and making sure the rich breadth of their experiences is brought to the table. 

Finally, we like to ask a question beyond people’s professional lives. Can you tell us who is your favorite New Jersey artist, writer, singer, painter, etc.? 

Seeing live artists is something I love to do in my spare time. A favorite artist for me is Whitney Houston. And growing up, and still, today, a favorite artist is Lauryn Hill. And I would have to add Queen Latifah. I love the impact and artistry of these women.