More than 150 physicians, educators, and other professionals involved in continuing medical education (CME) attended the Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) Annual CME Provider Conference last month. During the conference, IMQ recognized several individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding practices in their CME efforts. IMQ is a CMA subsidiary.

David L. Slater, M.D., CME Chair and Director of Medical Education for Community Medical Centers in Fresno, received the award for Outstanding CME Chair for effectively supporting CME at three hospitals and 17 facilities. Barbara Leach, Clinical Education Specialist for Sutter Health University in Sacramento, received the CME Coordinator award. As the administrator of Sutter Health University, Leach worked with executive leaders to increase their understanding of the benefits of CME and to gain support to establish an effective CME program within a complex organization.

The Samuel R. Sherman, M.D., Award for innovation in CME planning and performance improvement was given to the California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, for its Perinatal Health Collaborative, an interdisciplinary initiative focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes by providing primary care physicians and clinicians with evidenced-based standards and tools.

Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Valley was recognized for integrating CME into its efforts to improve maternal mortality by focusing on a new protocol for post partum hemorrhage. The training utilized simulation to address skill improvement in real time with the support of the full care team.