Correctional Healthcare Leaders Launch Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance (SHQA) to Advance Quality, Accountability, and Stability
New industry alliance establishes a framework for ethical leadership, workforce support, and continuous quality care in correctional settings
Washington, D.C. – July 8, 2026 — Leading correctional healthcare professionals today announced the formal launch of the Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance (SHQA), a new coalition dedicated to advancing quality care, ethical leadership, operational accountability, and workforce stability across the field of correctional healthcare.
SHQA was established in response to a growing need for industry-wide collaboration around the challenges facing correctional healthcare providers and professionals, their government partners, and the medically complex patient populations they serve. The alliance seeks to promote evidence and data-informed standards, share best practices, and provide a unified voice for organizations committed to delivering reliable, community-standard healthcare in correctional facilities nationwide.
"Correctional healthcare providers play a critical role in safeguarding the health and well-being of some of the nation's most vulnerable populations. SHQA was created to support organizations that are committed to quality, transparency, workforce investment, and responsible stewardship of public healthcare resources," said Deana Johnson, President of SHQA.
The alliance's formation comes at a time when correctional healthcare systems face increasing operational complexity, workforce shortages, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and growing demands for accountability. Recent disruptions within the industry have underscored the importance of maintaining stable healthcare operations, protecting frontline caregivers, and ensuring uninterrupted patient care regardless of organizational or financial challenges.
SHQA's mission is centered on four core priorities:
Advancing Quality Care: Promoting proven medical practices to directly improve patient outcomes.
Strengthening Accountability: Driving ethical leadership, operational transparency, and responsible business practices across the sector.
Supporting the Workforce: Championing the front-line nurses, doctors, and mental health professionals who deliver essential care.
Preserving Continuity of Care: Ensuring patient services remain uninterrupted during organizational transitions or provider changes.
Moving forward, SHQA will translate its priorities into action by uniting policymakers, providers, and correctional agencies to tackle systemic industry challenges. As part of this effort, the coalition will collaborate with organizations that meet the Alliance’s common benchmarks for clinical quality, workforce engagement, and ethical governance.
"To truly elevate correctional healthcare, we must build a unified infrastructure that supports providers of all sizes in meeting or exceeding existing national standards," said Brad McLane, CEO of NaphCare. "SHQA gives us the collaborative strength to tackle industry-wide challenges while ensuring that high-quality, ethical care is standard practice across the country."
"Accountability and clinical excellence aren't just goals for the largest systems; they are daily imperatives for regional and local providers managing the day to day realities of county facilities," said Jennifer Hairsine, CEO of Southern Health Partners. "SHQA ensures that community-focused partners have a strong voice in shaping these standards, providing the shared resources needed to protect our staff and sustain uninterrupted patient care."
As the organization grows, SHQA will continue developing resources, standards, and advocacy initiatives designed to strengthen the correctional healthcare profession and support the public agencies that rely on it.
For more information about the Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance and its mission, visit https://www.securehealthcarequality.org/ or contact the coalition at info@shqateam.org.
About the Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance (SHQA)
The Secure Healthcare Quality Alliance (SHQA) is a 501(c)(6) trade association dedicated to elevating the national standards of correctional healthcare. As a coalition of industry leaders, SHQA serves as the unified voice for organizations and professionals delivering high-quality healthcare in correctional and justice-involved settings across the United States.
SHQA's mission is to advance the standard of care for patients by advocating for the professionals who deliver it. The organization supports evidence-based policies, best practices, and innovative programs that equip healthcare providers with the tools, resources, and support needed to care for highly complex patient populations in challenging environments. Through collaboration, advocacy, and industry leadership, SHQA works to strengthen correctional healthcare systems, support frontline caregivers, and improve outcomes for patients, providers, and government partners nationwide.