Department of Health Services Division of Quality Assurance Administrator Otis Woods received the 2015 National Survey and Certification Achievement Award from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for his extensive work creating creative solutions to complex problems that resulted in improved health and residential services for some of Wisconsin’s most vulnerable citizens. This award was presented to Otis Woods at the Survey Executives Training Institute in April 2015.
“Otis Woods is not only committed to ensuring that health and residential care facilities in Wisconsin are in compliance with applicable state and federal laws but he is a strong leader who goes the extra mile to foster a health and residential care business climate that is focused on providing high-quality care and appropriate services,” said Department of Health Services Secretary Kitty Rhoades. “Otis and his entire team in the Division of Quality Assurance exemplify the mission of the Department of Health Services that we are all in this together to protect and promote the health and safety of the citizens of Wisconsin.”
“I am proud to be recognized by the federal government for our outstanding efforts here in Wisconsin,” said Otis Woods. “I credit the fine work of the staff in the Division of Quality Assurance with whom I have had the pleasure of working with for the last 25 years as this award represents an accumulation of efforts by all of our staff.”
Otis Woods identified and nominated by the CMS Region V office for meeting all four award benchmarks:
- High-quality work in the area of Survey and Certification under difficult circumstances;
- Significant performance improvement in meeting the goals of the Medicare and Medicaid Survey & Certification program;
- Outstanding leadership in crafting creative solutions to difficult problems; and
- Effective use of information to promote the goals and objectives of the Survey & Certification program.
The Department of Health Services Division of Quality Assurance is responsible for licensing and regulating more than 40 different programs and facilities that provide health, long-term care, mental health services, substance abuse services, as well as conducting caregiver background checks and investigations. In addition, the Division of Quality Assurance works collaboratively with health and residential care providers, provider associations, advocacy organizations and the long-term care ombudsman to discuss current challenges in regulated health and residential care industries and how to meet the best needs of residents and patients while being in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.