History

In 1974, North Dakota Health Care Review, Inc. (NDHCRI) was incorporated as a non-profit organization with its offices in the state's capital of Bismarck and Al Strong as the first CEO. The Board of Directors consisted of 15 members with Dr. W.B. Huntley serving as the first chairman of the Board.

Two years later, NDHCRI moved its offices to its current location in Minot, home of Strong and Huntley. That same year, Dr. E.J. Laskowski was named Medical Director. He was replaced by Dr. P. Michael Riisager in 1979. Also that year, Mendel Adams was named CEO and Dr. Marvin Towarnicky was appointed chairman of the Board.

Dave Remillard, NDCHRI's current CEO, joined the North Dakota team in 1982. Other changes that year included Dr. Robert Ulmer replacing Dr. Towarnicky as chairman and Dr. Towarnicky replacing Dr. Riisager as Medical Director.

In 1984, NDHCRI went from a PSRO to a PRO and the organization was awarded the contract for the First Scope of Work.

Dr. David Glatt, NDHCRI's chairman of the Board, chaired his first meeting in 1986. NDHCRI was awarded the contract for the 2nd Scope of Work in 1987.

In 1989, Dr. Julie Blehm replaced Dr. Towarnicky as Medical Director, a position she held for 10 years. In 1990, NDHCRI was awarded the contract for the 3rd Scope of Work.

The Health Care Quality Improvement Initiative (HCQII) was initiated in 1993 and NDHCRI was awarded the contract for the 4th Scope of Work. The organization's offices were moved to its current location and the regional office was moved from Denver to Kansas City.

NDHCRI's new logo, mission, and vision statement, all which can be found on this website, were adopted in 1995. The next year, HCQII was renamed Health Care Quality Improvement Program (HCQIP) and NDHCRI was awarded the contract for the 5th Scope of Work.

Also in 1996, the bylaws were changed to downsize the Board of Directors to nine members and Dr. Julie Blehm was named Principal Clinical Coordinator.

Dr. Nicholas Neumann was added in 1997 as Associate Clinical Coordinator. In 1999, Dr. Irwin Epstein was named Principal Clinical Coordinator, replacing Dr. Blehm and Dr. Neumann. In February 2000, NDHCRI was awarded the contract for the 6th Scope of Work.

Dr. Samuel Abbate was named HCQIP Principal Clinical Coordinator in October 2000 and Medical Director in 2003.

NDHCRI began work on the 7th Scope of Work in Februrary 2003.  The Home Health Quality Initiative was added to this contract. Dr. Michael Goldstone became NDHCRI's Medical Director in January 2004, a position he filled until January 2006.

NDHCRI currently is working on the 8th Scope of Work, which began in February 2006 and runs through January 2009.