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CME achieves highest level of re-accreditation

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EVMS CME has received a six-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) — the highest level of accreditation possible.

The prestigious recognition of “Accreditation with Commendation” award means the CME office is accredited through July 31, 2029. ACCME accredits institutions that provide continuing medical education to physicians.

“Accreditation with Commendation is the highest level of accreditation status awarded by the ACCME,” says Lisa Fore-Arcand, EdD, MEd, Assistant Dean for Continuing Medical Education and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “It signifies that we have not only met the basic requirements for accreditation but have also demonstrated exemplary performance in certain areas of our CME program. The commendation status is an acknowledgment of our commitment to going above and beyond in educational design, offerings, and processes.”

The EVMS CME office was established in 1975 to provide continuing medical activities for faculty physicians. Over the years, the CME program expanded to serve area physicians, and it currently serves as an integral part of the academic health center, surrounding communities, and other medical organizations throughout the state and beyond.

“We currently collaborate to provide CME programs with 22 outside organizations,” Dr. Fore-Arcand says. “In academic year 2022-2023 we provided 69 courses, 858 regularly scheduled series including grand rounds, case conferences, and journal clubs, and 223 enduring materials. Through these educational activities we have provided 1,692 CME credit hours.

EVMS CME-accredited educational activities we accredit are designed to increase physician competence, performance and patient outcomes by providing evidence-based content related to the latest advances in medical sciences, technology, best practices and other pertinent areas.

“This ongoing lifelong learning helps clinicians deliver high-quality care to patients, ultimately improving the health of patients and the community,” Dr. Fore-Arcand says.

The ACCME accreditation reviewers commented that EVMS presented creative and innovative programs and demonstrated improvement in healthcare quality through quality improvement projects.

EVMS physicians who have developed conferences through EVMS CME have praised the staff for “thoughtful and detail-oriented guidance,” along with “exceptional work ethic and dedication to healthcare provider education” and “problem-solving solutions and ways to make the conference better.”

A sampling of comments from conference attendees reinforces this emphasis on professionalism and quality programming:

  • “The conference was excellent, well organized with outstanding speakers”
  • “Information [presented at the event] will improve my patient care”
  • ‘”Excellent conference, very engaging, I really took a lot back to my practice.”
  • “The programs are extremely well planned and executed.”
  • “[I] appreciated the hands-on aspect of the conference; the ability to learn and practice surgical skills and new technology with expert guidance.”