April 2020
From the President
As Spring plants come back to life after their winter rest, a whole new life-cycle begins. Little did we know that our lives would also take a dramatic turn with the Coronavirus. Our lives both professionally and personally literally have changed over-night. It's times like this that the attributes that make the CAAHEP family truly unique shine their brightest. I have repeatedly said that the CAAHEP family is a very special family that gives, shares, and cares more than any other professional organization I’ve been a part of.
We have all had to make significant changes in both our personal and work life. For those that have children in K-12 or in college, they are likely at home with you. Our households have been modified into classroom environments and home offices. This shift in our daily routines has likely required you to make many adaptations.
Many programs, institutions and universities have flipped to online learning sessions and most clinical and internship sites have been closed to students along with graduation ceremonies being delayed or cancelled. It is often in times of great challenges, like this, that we are forced outside our normal routines and comforts zones. It's during these times, however, that we discover new methods and resources or find the need to modify policies and processes for continued success. The Board has asked all CAAHEP CoAs to work with their respective Boards of Directors and explore opportunities and modifications to ensure students enrolled in our 2200 programs nation-wide can be successful.
I’m inspired by the spirit of resiliency and creativity that says we will not allow situations like this to overcome us. Our CoAs and you as individuals are finding new and innovative pathways that broaden our minds and processes while meeting our mission. I have asked that each CoA continue to provide regular communication and guidance to their programs during this time of uncertainty. I have consistently said that regular communication and engagement is the best means for keeping our constituents informed and reassured.
I want to thank all of those that have registered for the CAAHEP Annual Meeting. If you have not heard, the Board of Directors voted to transform our traditional meeting into a virtual “online” format with a modified schedule and lower fee to accommodate as many participants as possible. If you have not registered, please consider doing so
through the
CAAHEP website
.
Attending this meeting virtually is a great way to help keep you connected with your CAAHEP family members. There will be more information later about the Q&A sessions with CoAs for program directors and deans. We plan to take these online and make them widely available.
During these times we realize the true value of having each of you as members of our CAAHEP family. We are all working toward one mission: to ensure positive outcomes while making necessary and creative adjustments. Please know that the CAAHEP office is staffed and working hard to ensure business continues as close to normal as possible and that we are here to support your needs.
Together as one organizational family [CAAHEP] we will come out of this stronger, wiser, more confident, and resilient. Lastly, be sure to take care of your own mental and physical well-being.
Stay Safe and Well,
President Glen Mayhew, DHSc, NRP
President
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CAAHEP 2020 Annual Meeting Now ONLINE
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Registration is now open for the 2020 CAAHEP Annual Meeting that will be held April 20, 2020, on line Our theme is
"CAAHEP 2020: Perfecting our Vision."
The program has been pared down to 4 hours and the registration fee has been slashed. The meeting will run 11 am - 3 PM, and includes the Annual Business Meeting of Commissioners from 2-3 PM Eastern. Presentations include:
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Note: all times listed are Eastern
11:00 - 11:45 AM
Keynote
by Dr. Judith Eaton, President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Dr. Eaton is president of CHEA, the largest institutional higher education membership organization in the United States. She has served as CHEA’s President since shortly after its founding in 1996, and will bring an interesting perspective on accreditation processes, policies, and innovations.
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12:00 - 12:45 PM
American Red Cross Resuscitation Education History and Response to COVID-19
presented by Dr. David Markenson, National Medical Director, American Red Cross
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1:00 - 1:45 PM
Washington Update
of activities on Capitol Hill and in the US Department of Education as they pertain to education and accreditation will be given by Jay Vaughn, JD, of Cooley, LLP.
The Annual Business Meeting of Commissioners will be conducted from
2:00 - 3:00 PM
, during which attendees will hear about the state of the organization, and Commissioners will vote on Bylaws changes and approval of a potential new sponsoring organization, the American Red Cross.
All the meeting details and the agenda are posted on the
CAAHEP website
. Please register today!
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CAAHEP Board Meeting Summary: March 2020
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The following is a list of highlights from the March 20 Board Meeting:
- The Board took accreditation action on 63 programs, which included 14 programs obtaining initial accreditation, 47 continuing programs, and two programs being placed on probation. A full list of programs is provided below.
- Board member Fred Lenhoff, MA, was re-appointed to one of the Public Member Commissioners positions and will continue to serve on the CAAHEP Board for the 2020-2023 term.
- The Board approved an amended Annual Meeting Agenda for 2020, which will now be held online through Zoom. (Information is available here.) Two sessions will now be held as separate webinars at a later date. The Q&A Session with CoAs will also be held virtually at a date to be determined.
- President Mayhew provided a report of his activities for CAAHEP:
- Attended the CHEA meeting in DC
- The Governance Committee met several times and revised the job description of the Executive Director.
- He worked with Fred Lenhoff to develop a new Board Assessment tool, which has been deployed and results will be reviewed by the Governance Committee
- An emergency meeting of the Board was called on March 13 to discuss and approve the cancellation of the face-to-face annual meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Kathy Megivern presented the staff report.
- She is responding to CHEA’s request for additional information on our Change of Scope. We are requesting that the following professions to be added to our scope: Advanced Cardiovascular Sonography, Art Therapy, Assistive Technology and Clinical Research.
- The Board authorized the Change of Scope request to be submitted to CHEA.
- The new technology vendor is building out structure of the AMS and ARMS, adding a search function for international programs that are CAAHEP accredited.
- The Standards Committee provided a written report and Committee Member Katie Kuntz presented a recommendation to approve the proposed Advanced Cardiovascular Sonography Standards. The Board approved the Standards.
- The Board discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged flexibility and innovation while still meeting outcomes. They encouraged CAAHEP’s outreach to the CoAs and expressed appreciation of the efforts being taken by all volunteers and staff.
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Advanced Cardiovascular Sonography
Standards Approved
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During the CAAHEP Board's March meeting, the Standards Committee recommended the approval of the updated
Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Advanced Cardiovascular Sonography.
The Board approved the Standards and they are now in effect. Changes were made to the program director requirements. The new Standards include qualifications that state the "program director must possess proficiency in curriculum development and must meet at least one of the following: possess a baccalaureate degree and an ACS credential; or possess a minimum of a Master’s degree and be a credentialed sonographer in the discipline that is offered; or be a physician board certified in the discipline that is offered." The complete new Standards and Guidelines can be viewed on the
CAAHEP website
.
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COVID-19 Brings Spotlight to Medical Illustration
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While many of the professions under the CAAHEP umbrella have been spotlighted in the media during the pandemic, the Medical Illustration profession may be in the forefront of the group and people don't even know it. In a recent
New York Times article
, CDC Medical Illustrators Alissa Eckert and Dan Higgins were highlighted for their work in creating an image of the Coronavirus, right, which has now been used world-wide. The article brings to light the importance of medical illustrations in understanding complex medical terms and diseases.
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Each profession in the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) system has a Committee on Accreditation (CoA) that consists of experts in the profession that are responsible for reviewing programs and making appropriate recommendations for accreditation to CAAHEP. CAAHEP reviews recommendations received from its CoAs in each profession, assures due process was followed, and takes final action on an accreditation status.
CAAHEP took the following actions on
March 20, 2020
meeting. Actions are identified by profession, action taken, date of the next comprehensive evaluation, and whether a progress report to improve program compliance is required. In some cases, the concentration and/or degree are also specified. To view a copy of the most recent accreditation award letter for a program, which includes information about the accreditation decision, visit the program’s listing on the Find An Accredited Program section of the
CAAHEP website
.
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2023. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Cardiovascular Technology
The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2024. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2025. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
Orthotist/Prosthetist
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted
continuing accreditation
, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur
no later than 2029
. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Medical Assisting
The following programs were found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The programs were granted
continuing accreditation
, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur
no later than 2025
.
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
Neurodiagnostic Technology
The following programs were found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The programs were granted
continuing accreditation
, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur
no later than 2029
.
Medical Assisting
The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted
initial accreditation
for a period
not to exceed five (5) years
. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.
Art Therapy
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Science
Medical Assisting
The following programs were found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The programs were granted
initial accreditation
for a period
not to exceed five (5) years
.
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
Medical Assisting
The following programs were placed on
probationary accreditation
, with one or more Standards requiring critical attention and timely resolution to bring the program into compliance with the Standards and Guidelines and a progress report required to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA).
Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic
Medical Assisting
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Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763
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