Continuing Medical Education Garners Accreditation with Commendation

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

12-14-2015

Campus Unit

School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Abstract

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has announced that the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Continuing Medical Education (CME) has earned not only full accreditation but accreditation with commendation. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is the national professional organization that accredits CME offices. Continuing Medical Education at the UND SMHS awards American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award Category 1 (AMA PRA Category 1) credit for completion of its courses. AMA PRA Category 1 credit is the highest level of CME credit offered by the AMA.

The UND SMHS strives to improve human health by educating students who focus on patients and communities and by conducting research that translates into better care for patients. The office of Continuing Medical Education at the school provides continuing medical education to physicians and interprofessional healthcare teams to promote lifelong learning that will enhance professional competence and performance and improve patient outcomes.

“Congratulations on this terrific achievement,” said President and CEO of the ACCME Graham McMahon, M.D., M.M.Sc., in a personal note attached to the letter announcing UND’s achievement. “Thank you for the work you do every day to deliver high-quality education; our professions and patients are better for it. Your commitment to great learning shines through—it’s a passion and joy we share.”

The content of the UND SMHS’s CME activities addresses the needs of practicing physicians and interprofessional teams. CME includes all areas of biomedical knowledge, clinical skills and patient care, interpersonal and communication skills, ethics and professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. This educational content is provided through conferences, seminars, simulation scenarios, and through online modules.

Faculty, resident physicians, community physicians, and healthcare professionals within the state, region, and nation benefit from the educational services of Continuing Medical Education at the school.

Senior Associate Dean for Education Gwen W. Halaas, M.D., M.B.A., was the director of the Continuing Medical Education office during this accreditation cycle. Associate Dean for Medicine Marc Basson, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., is the current director and is assisted by Mary Johnson, program coordinator, and Nancy Hostetter, program coordinator.

“We are proud to help provide meaningful educational offerings to the healthcare providers of our state that improve quality of care and the health of our citizens and communities,” Halaas said. “Our staff works very hard to assure that the educational content is up to date, relevant and provided in a convenient and effective manner.”

“Our CME program is very important to us,” Basson said, “because it allows us to have a direct impact on the health of North Dakotans in almost real time by providing continuing education and skills development to physicians and other healthcare providers throughout the state.

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