MEDIA RELEASE

Physicians will continue to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits through the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy after a vote by the Hawaii Medical Association to extend CME accreditation for a full four years.

Hawaii Medical Association is recognized by the national Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education as the intrastate accrediting agency for organizations and institutions that provide CME activities for physicians in Hawaii.

The UH Hilo College of Pharmacy was originally granted CME accreditation in 2009. First-time accreditation is provisional for two years.

They are joined by 15 hospitals and one other organization accredited by HMA that provide CME activities on a regular and recurring basis primarily to physicians practicing in the state of Hawaii or the Pacific region.

“This is affirmation that our programs are meeting the goal of continuing education in healthcare, and we plan to continue to focus on CME to improve patient outcomes in rural areas throughout Hawaii,” said Dr. Karen L. Pellegrin, chair of the continuing education executive committee and director of strategic planning for the College. “In addition, it is my goal to achieve ‘accreditation with commendation,’ which requires compliance with seven additional standards. I was pleased to learn we are currently in compliance with six out of seven of these standards.”

Physicians must complete a required amount of CME activities to retain their licenses. Accreditation is official recognition that an overall program of CME complies with accepted criteria for planning, implementing, and evaluating CME activities, said Dr. Roger Kimura, who is CME-FAC co-chair and incoming president of the Hawaii Medical Association.

“To have the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy, whose primary mission is to train pharmacists, undertake the additional and completely optional task of providing Category 1 CME activities for physicians is a tremendous benefit to the health care community and to the patients we all take care of,” Kimura said.

“The College of Pharmacy’s re-accreditation to provide Category 1 CME activities speaks volumes for the commitment and dedication of the College’s leadership and faculty to the community,” Kimura said. “The Hawaii Medical Association is pleased that the Big Island continues to have two accredited providers of Category 1 CME and thanks the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy for its service to Hawaii’s physicians and our patients.”

To receive future announcements about continuing education events, send an e-mail to karen3@hawaii.edu.