Peggy O’Kane: A Happy, Hopeful Handoff

December 18, 2025 · Margaret E. O'Kane

This is the last message I will post for the quality community before I retire as president.

Some people have wondered whether the podcast series I hosted this year will be my “last word on quality.” The answer is… no! I’d like to do more podcasts, and I’ll keep advocating for better health care, better health and better choices. I just won’t be doing it as the head of NCQA.

There are many things I’m going to miss: People I’ve worked with; constantly learning about a dynamic field; complex challenges that are always important, and sometimes solvable. Leaving day-to-day leadership of NCQA marks the end of something that has meant a great deal to me. Apart from having children—and now a grandson—working in quality has been the greatest joy of my life.

I leave NCQA with a sense of gratitude, pride and excitement.

Gratitude

I am deeply grateful to all who have joined hands in NCQA’s mission—too many to list.

In NCQA’s early days, we partnered with national employers who knew the importance of establishing common standards, and who were eager to advance what we now call a value strategy. Forward-thinking health plans joined us to demonstrate superior quality. This synergy has always driven us—keeping us proud of our progress, yet never satisfied.

I’ve had the honor to work with clinicians, administrative leaders, scientists, policymakers, caregivers and patients. Their thoughtfulness, engagement and support have been essential to everything NCQA has achieved.

And of course NCQA’s amazing staff, today and over the years, is really responsible for what we have achieved. We have been fortunate to attract great talent and their sense of purpose has been an inspiration to me and to those we serve.

Thank you for letting me walk alongside all of you in this calling we all share.

Pride

We implemented the first national system for measuring quality. It’s not perfect, but it has accomplished a lot.

We built multiple accreditation programs—an uphill struggle that we took on at a time when accreditation was seen as an industry shield, not as a catalyst for change. Our story isn’t only in standards and measures. It’s in the trust we’ve built, the alliances we’ve forged and our commitment to do right by patients.

But we realized that, like all good things, our work could be better.

About five years ago, we committed to grounding our efforts in digital measurement in order to enable more effective and efficient quality improvement and inspiring those who do the work to take ownership and lead the change. Our vision is that quality measurement should flow from practice. The goal is to help people see their quality results and use them to drive better care.

NCQA’s path hasn’t always been straight. But with the help of many allies, we’ve built the foundation for integrated, value-based care that puts patients first.

Excitement

I’m optimistic about NCQA’s direction, and especially about our incoming president and CEO, Dr. Vivek Garg. He has the heart, intellect and experience to build on NCQA’s strengths and take quality where it needs to go.

Vivek’s background—as a family member supporting someone with chronic disease for decades, as a primary care physician and as a leader embedding quality improvement in a range of enterprises—makes him the ideal person to lead NCQA.

I feel a deep sense of fulfillment, strengthened by the time spent with Vivek and others planning for the future. Ever since Vivek agreed to succeed me, we’ve worked closely together, and I’ve been energized by his engagement and the fresh perspective he brings.

I was thrilled when Vivek accepted the role, and I have full confidence he is the right person to advance NCQA’s mission. He knows I’m in his corner and ready to help in any way I can. The next chapter, led by Vivek, depends on all of us carrying NCQA’s vision forward with passion and purpose.

At the same time, I’m excited to step away from a demanding role and explore new areas beyond NCQA’s strategic path.

I’ve always been inclined to say what I think, and I look forward to being more outspoken than I could responsibly be as NCQA’s president. For example, I plan to speak out against the predictable stagnation caused by policies that hinder integrated care for all Americans.

My decades of leading NCQA brought me many friendships, and I look forward to maintaining and deepening those connections.

Thank you for a terrific 35 years. Here’s to a bright future—for us all!

Best wishes for the holiday season and a healthy new year from NCQA.