Continuing Medical Education (CME)

One of the ways in which Verde Valley Medical Center provides high quality, cost effective healthcare services to our patients and communities is by promoting health, prevention and wellness through progressive and innovative education.

In 2008, VVMC's Continuing Medical Education program was presented the C.H. William Ruhe, M.D. Award by the American Medical Association (AMA) for an unprecedented third time. This award recognizes meritorious achievement and innovation in continuing medical education programs in Arizona. VVMC is the only rural hospital in the state to receive the award.

Since the commencement of VVMC’s program, the CME committee has been viewed as one of the most effective, quality providers of continuing medical education. James Swain, M.D., chairman of the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Committee on Accreditation and Medical Education said, “…the longevity of the VVMC CME leadership and staff is to be commended and lends to the excellence of the program…the revision to Exemplary Status is not easily achieved, and your CME program should be proud as we find VVMC to be one of the best in the State of Arizona.”

To be eligible for the award, a provider must be accredited in Arizona by the AMA and ArMA. An award recipient is recognized for achievement of high standards in its overall CME program, and for outstanding creativity and successful implementation of new ideas that enhance compliance with the Essential Areas of Education as set forth by the Committee on Accreditation and Medical Education.

VVMC’s continuing medical education programs are held periodically throughout the year.

The next program is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2009.
 
CME programs are produced in response to local and regional educational needs based on the following criteria:

• To address patient care problems that exist in our hospital and/or in our region
• To facilitate and evaluate Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in clinical practice patterns and quality healthcare outcomes
• To provide a forum for interaction between primary care physicians, specialists and other healthcare professionals in the improvement of patient care
• To promote professional awareness of, and access to, information about the prevention and management of illness through patient and public education
• To build a bridge between emerging technologies and medical advances and the practice-related needs of all healthcare professionals
• To provide a distinguished forum for the examination of healthcare issues and the advancement of science and medicine

Scope and Content Areas
CME activities include formal and informal programming to include Category I of the American Medical Association and Category 2 of the American Osteopathic Association. The programs foster educational activities in clinical and nonclinical environments encompassing:

• Basic and clinical Science
• Practice management
• Medical and legal
• Ethics
• Advancement in medical technology
• Psychosocial issues
• Spirituality
• Information Systems

For more information about continuing medical education, please contact the CME coordinator at 928 639-6444.