Des Moines University earned a perfect score for its continuing medical education activities for physicians from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
The AOA is the nation’s primary certifying body for doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) and the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools. Its Council on Continuing Medical Education (CME) reviews and evaluates formal CME activities to determine whether they qualify for credit within AOA guidelines.
Vanessa Ross, CMP, CCMEP, DMU’s director of continuing medical education, reported that at its March 29 meeting, the AOA Council on CME issued a perfect 100-point score for the University’s submission for CME reaccreditation. As a result, DMU is recognized by the AOA as a Category 1 CME sponsor with a three-year Level 3 accreditation “with commendation.” To achieve Level 3, an institution’s CME activities must include an outcomes measurement assessing participant’s competence, performance and/or patient outcomes.
This recognition was achieved by only 24 percent of CME submissions to the AOA during the most recent review period.
“Des Moines University has become a leader in providing quality continuing education to the health care community in Iowa. This accreditation validates DMU’s commitment to support the life-long clinical, research, and professional development needs of our stakeholders,” Ross said. “Health care providers who participate in DMU CME activities can be confident they will benefit professionally, as will their patients and organizations.”
In addition to its AOA accreditation, the DMU CME/CEU program is accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, the Iowa Board of Nursing, the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education through the Iowa Medical Society, and the Board of Certification Inc. for certified athletic trainers.
