The Continuing Medical Education program at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham has received a six-year accreditation with commendation from the Washington State Medical Association’s Medical Education Committee.
Only about 30 percent of continuing medical education providers receive commendation with their accreditation, according to WSMA.
“This is a huge honor and reflective of a herculean effort on the part of Sheila Sandiford, our CME program coordinator, Dr. Adam Kartman, chair of the CME committee, and all the committee members who work to make sure our medical staff have every opportunity to enhance their skills,” said Nancy Steiger, PeaceHealth St. Joseph CEO and chief mission officer, in a press release.
The PeaceHealth CME program began in 1975 as an informal effort. It received its first two-year accreditation in 1996 and has received four-year re-accreditations since then.
PeaceHealth St. Joseph is accredited by the WSMA Medical Education Committee to sponsor “Category 1” CME activities for physicians, who use the earned credits to satisfy requirements for obtaining or renewing state medical licenses or renewing hospital credentials or privileges.
In 2012, 5,544 medical professionals participated in continuing education, up 13 percent over 2011 and 17 percent over 2010, according to PeaceHealth.
