Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS)

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) is for working healthcare professionals interested in improving the quality and safety of care across the healthcare system.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) group discussion

The MSc in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) is designed for all healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, allied health, improvement specialists, and administrators.

QIPS prepares students with the theory, knowledge, and practical skills required to design, lead, and evaluate transformative quality improvement and patient safety initiatives at the micro, meso, and macro levels.

QIPS provides students with a unique opportunity to apply their course based learning in real time as they develop and lead a comprehensive improvement project within and beyond their professional context. The program is intentionally designed to synchronize in class learning and assignments, faculty, mentor and peer to peer feedback with students’ project progress. Students complete the program with an enhanced understanding and critical appreciation of how to successfully navigate the complexity and uncertainty of healthcare to make lasting improvement.

To learn more about QIPS attend a webinar or view past webinars with the program director.

Program Highlights



Become a Change Leader

Develop leadership and change theory skills to successfully lead improvement and enhance patient safety across the healthcare system.



Create Lasting Connections

Become part of an extensive network of healthcare leaders and make lasting connections with faculty, peers, alumni, and the broader IHPME and DLSPH community.



Work While
Studying

Apply masters’s level learning while working without disrupting your career.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Careers

The interdisciplinary and applied curriculum equips QIPS graduates to take on increasingly senior leadership, improvement and patient safety roles within professional practice, academia and the broader healthcare system.


Graduates of the program have found professional opportunities in diverse settings including:

  • A wide variety of healthcare organizations including community-based, primary and acute care
  • Academia and research institutes
  • Government agencies   
  • Global health agencies

Graduates have roles including:

  • Clinical directors of quality and safety including by discipline and/or profession
  • Administrators including managers, directors and VPs of quality, safety, patient services
  • Faculty in improvement and patient safety programs across Canada including developing new QIPS programs across the country

People from QIPS

Latest Alumni Stories

Image of Dr. Alan Gob

Alan Gob

Dr. Alan Gob discusses his experience in the QIPS program and how it prepared him for his current work.

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Wendy Kingsburgh

Wendy Kingsburgh shares how QIPS brings together learners from diverse professional backgrounds, creating an enriching learning environment.

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William Silverstein

William Silverstein, an emerging leader in improving the value of care in Canada’s healthcare system, shares his QIPS highlights.

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Latest QIPS News

Four people sitting in a row in front of a large screen. Three of the people draw their attention to the fourth who is speaking into a microphone.

Research and Impact Day 2024: Event Recap

April 30, 2024

Awards / Research / Students

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QIPS Class of 2024

Speaking the same language: QIPS program develops and connects change makers and innovators across the health system

October 2, 2023

Education / Faculty / Students

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oxycodone opioid tablets

Researchers develop tool to help hospitals reduce loss and theft of medications

June 8, 2023

Faculty / Research

Read More

QIPS in Action

Connect with Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS)


QIPS Program Director

Christine Shea
Phone Number: 416-946-3862
Email Address: christine.shea@​utoronto.ca

Oversees management of the QIPS Program

Graduate Administrator

Zoe Downie-Ross
Phone Number: (416) 946-3486
Email Address: ihpme.grad.admin@​utoronto.ca

Coordinates student records, graduate funding, and student-related awards.

Graduate Admissions

Christina Lopez
Email Address: ihpme.admissions@​utoronto.ca

Manages admissions and responds to all related inquiries.

Graduate Assistant

Nadia Ismail
Phone Number: (416) 946-4100
Email Address: ihpme.grad.assist@​utoronto.ca

Coordinates various graduate initiatives including defences, student events, and graduation.

QIPS Program Assistant

Devrim Sen
Phone Number: 416-946-8542
Email Address: ihpme.qips.program@​utoronto.ca

Manages the QIPS courses including enrolment, grades, and access to Quercus

Graduate Placements

Christina Lopez
Phone Number: (416) 978-1108
Email Address: ihpme.placements@​utoronto.ca

Coordinates details involving student placement and experiential learning