MASA’s Education Department is led by Judy DeBray, director of education, along with Stephanie Fletcher, coordinator of CME programs.
Responsibilities
The Medical Association of the State of Alabama is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to accredit intrastate organizations to provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM . As such, MASA adopts the Essential Areas, Elements and Policies of the ACCME; the pertinent philosophies and policies of the Americal Medical Association (AMA); and supplemental MASA policies.
MASA holds each of its accredited providers to the same standards set forth by the ACCME, AMA and MASA. Every four years accredited providers are surveyed by MASA's education department to determine compliance with the ACCME's, AMA's and MASA's policies and procedures. Currently, the Education Department provides oversight and evaluation of 36 providers, the majority of which are hospitals and healthcare systems located throughout the state.
The education department staff also provide staff assistance for MASA's Council on Medical Education. The Council (composed of 12 active MASA members) is responsible for matters concerning post-graduate medical education and the development of state-wide post-graduate education policies and programs to include such matters as the accreditation of intrastate medical education programs. Activities and actions of the council are reported to MASA's Board of Censors.
The department maintains a library of continuing education DVD's for the use of physicians in their homes or offices. DVDs may be checked out via mail.
The education department staff are also charged with the recruitment and training of volunteer physician surveyors.
Each year numerous educational events are conducted across the state, making them highly accessible to physicians. Presentations are offered on a variety of topics in numerous locations across the state. Collaborative Practice sessions are being presented in collaboration with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Nursing. A second series of activities on the appropriate prescribing of prescription pain medications is being scheduled for 2009 in three different locales.