Physicians Helpful links

Advanced Medical Technology Association - AdvaMed’s mission is to be the advocate for a legal, regulatory and economic climate that advances global health care by assuring worldwide patient access to the benefits of medical technology. To achieve this, AdvaMed focuses on rapid product approvals by FDA, coverage and payment determinations globally, access to international markets and communicating the value of medical technology to key audiences.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - This site is designed to serve both AACAP Members, and Parents and Families. Information is provided as a public service to aid in the understanding and treatment of the developmental, behavioral, and mental disorders which affect an estimated 7 to 12 million children and adolescents at any given time in the United States. You will find information on child and adolescent psychiatry, fact sheets for parents and caregivers, AACAP membership, current research, practice guidelines, managed care information, awards and fellowship descriptions, meeting information, and much more. Since there are no child and adolescent psychiatrists on staff, it is neither ethical nor responsible to give consultations for specific children and families.

American Accreditation HealthCare Commission - American Accreditation HealthCare Commission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1990 to establish standards for the managed care industry.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - The largest professional medical organization of specialists in allergy, asthma and immunology.

American Academy of Dermatology - The American Academy of Dermatology is dedicated to achieving the highest quality of dermatologic care for everyone. Achievement of this vision requires a dynamic organization whose mission embodies: Excellence in patient care, education and research; Adherence to ethical conduct; Responsiveness to its members and to the public; and Unification and representation of the specialty.

American Academy of Emergency Medicine - The AAEM, the specialty society of Emergency Medicine, is a democratic organization committed to the following principles: Every individual should have unencumbered access to quality emergency care provided by a specialist in Emergency Medicine; The practice of Emergency Medicine is best conducted by a specialist in Emergency Medicine; A specialist in Emergency Medicine is a physician who has achieved, through personal dedication and sacrifice, certification by either the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM); The personal and professional welfare of the individual specialist in Emergency Medicine is a primary concern to AAEM; The AAEM supports fair and equitable practice environments necessary to allow the specialist in Emergency Medicine to deliver the highest quality of patient care; AAEM supports the growth of residency programs and graduate medical education, which are essential to the continued enrichment of Emergency Medicine, and to ensure a high quality of care for the patient.

American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery - The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world's largest specialty association that represents facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck.

American Academy of Family Physicians - The AAFP was founded in 1947 to promote and maintain high quality standards for family doctors who are providing continuing comprehensive health care to the public. Other major purposes of the Academy include: To provide responsible advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health-related matters; To preserve and promote quality cost-effective health care; To promote the science and art of family medicine and to ensure an optimal supply of well-trained family physicians; To promote and maintain high standards among physicians who practice family medicine; To preserve the right of family physicians to engage in medical and surgical procedures for which they are qualified by training and experience; To provide advocacy, representation and leadership for the specialty of family practice; To maintain and provide an organization with high standards to fulfill the above purposes and to represent the needs of its members.

American Academy of Neurology - The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is a worldwide professional association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to providing the best possible care for patients with neurological disorders."

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners - Formed in 1985, the Academy, as the only full service organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties, has steadily expanded services to meet its mission to: Serve as a resource for nurse practitioners, their patients and other health care consumers; Promote excellence in practice, education and research; Provide legislative leadership; Advance health policy; Establish health care standards; and Advocate for access to quality, cost effective health care.

American Academy of Ophthalmology - The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s mission is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. It is the vision of the Board of Trustees that the Academy be the most valuable and credible professional eye organization in the world.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. The Academy also serves as an advocate for improved patient care and informs the public about the science of orthopaedics. The Academy has grown to be the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists.

American Academy of Optometry - The goal of the American Academy of Optometry is to maintain and enhance excellence in optometric practice. It does this by fostering research and the dissemination of knowledge in both basic and applied vision science. Since its founding, the Academy's success in achieving this objective has moved the Academy to the forefront of American and international optometry.

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. - AAO-HNS is the world's largest organization representing specialists who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy represents otolaryngologist - head and neck surgeons who diagnose and treat disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The medical disorders treated by this specialty are among the most common that afflict all Americans, young and old. They include chronic ear infection, sinusitis, snoring and sleep apnea, hearing loss, allergies and hay fever, swallowing disorders, nosebleeds, hoarseness, dizziness, and head and neck cancer. The AAO-HNS Foundation works to advance the art, science and ethical practice of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery through education, research, and lifelong learning.

American Academy of Pain Medicine - The mission of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is to promote quality care of patients with pain as a symptom of disease (eudynia) and primary pain disease (maldynia) through research, education, and advocacy, and through the advancement of the specialty of Pain Medicine. Its vision is to be the recognized authority on the evaluation and care of patients with pain as a symptom of disease (eudynia) and primary pain diseases (maldynia). AAPM is an influential participant in policy making for Pain Medicine services and is responsive to the needs of its members.

American Academy of Pediatrics - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Members include pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists.

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s vision is to be the leader in assisting PM&R physicians to acquire the continuing education, practice knowledge, leadership skills, and research information needed to provide quality patient care, and to represent the best interests of patients with, or at risk for, temporary or permanent disabilities. Its mission is to serve its member physicians by advancing the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, promoting excellence in physiatric practice, and advocating on public policy issues related to disability.

American Academy of Physician Assistants - The mission of the American Academy of Physician Assistants is to promote quality, cost-effective, accessible health care, and to promote the professional and personal development of physician assistants.

American Association of Blood Banks - The AABB’s mission is to establish and promote the highest standard of care for patients and donors in all aspects of blood banking; transfusion medicine; hematopoietic, cellular and gene therapies; and tissue transplantation.

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy - Founded in 1900, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is the national organization representing the interests of pharmaceutical education and educators. AACP is committed to excellence in pharmaceutical education.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons - The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons is dedicated to: The advancement of and the pursuit of excellence in neurological surgery and related sciences; The pursuit of excellence in medical education, especially as it concerns the neurological and surgical sciences; The pursuit of high standards in patient care and the practice of neurological profession; The advancement of neuroscience research; and, The communication of scientific and scholarly information through scientific meetings and publications.

American Association for Respiratory Care - The AARC believes there is no better cause than that of respiratory therapy and the right of respiratory patients to receive competent respiratory care. To that end, the AARC interacts with local, state, and federal government on public policies that affect respiratory care patients and the profession.

American Board of Emergency Medicine - The ABEM purposes are scientific and educational: To improve the quality of emergency medical care; To establish and maintain high standards of excellence in the specialty of Emergency Medicine and its approved sub-specialties; To improve medical education and facilities for training emergency physicians, and sub-specialists in approved ABEM sub-specialties; To evaluate specialists in Emergency Medicine and sub-specialists in approved ABEM sub-specialties applying for certification, sub-certification, and recertification; To grant and issue to qualified physicians certificates or other recognition of special knowledge and skills in Emergency Medicine and approved ABEM sub-specialties and to suspend or revoke same; To serve the public, physicians, hospitals, and medical schools by furnishing lists of those diplomates certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

American Board of Medical Specialties - The ABMS is an organization of ABMS Approved medical specialty boards. The mission of the ABMS is to maintain and improve the quality of medical care by assisting the Member Boards in their efforts to develop and utilize professional and educational standards for the evaluation and certification of physician specialists. The intent of the certification of physicians is to provide assurance to the public that a physician specialist certified by a Member Board of the ABMS has successfully completed an approved educational program and evaluation process which includes an examination designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and experience required to provide quality patient care in that specialty. The ABMS serves to coordinate the activities of its Member Boards and to provide information to the public, the government, the profession and its Members concerning issues involving specialization and certification in medicine.

American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology - The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology is an independent, nonprofit organization that certifies obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States.

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is an organization of allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals dedicated to quality patient care through research, advocacy and professional and public education.

American College of Cardiology - Cardiologists from the U.S. and around the world are members of ACC. By joining the College, they show peers and patients their commitment to provide optimal cardiovascular care. But ACC membership brings more than recognition, it also brings exclusive benefits and services designed specifically for cardiologists, including advocacy, education and easy access to timely, sought-after information.

American College of Chest Physicians - The ACCP is the leading resource for the improvement in cardiopulmonary health and critical care worldwide. The ACCP’s stated mission is to promote the prevention and treatment of diseases of the chest through leadership, education, research, and communication.

American College of Emergency Physicians - The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) exists to support quality emergency medical care, and to promote the interests of emergency physicians. The values of the American College of Emergency Physicians are: Quality emergency care is a fundamental right and unobstructed access to emergency services should be available to all patients who perceive the need for emergency services; There is a body of knowledge unique to emergency medicine that requires continuing refinement and development; Physicians entering the practice of emergency medicine should be residency trained in emergency medicine; Quality emergency medicine is best practiced by qualified, credentialed emergency physicians; The best interests of patients are served when emergency physicians practice in a fair, equitable, and supportive environment; Emergency physicians have the responsibility to play the lead roles in the definition, management, evaluation, and improvement of quality emergency care.

American College of Gastroenterology - The American College of Gastroenterology was founded in 1932 to advance the study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners.

American College of Healthcare Executives - The mission of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) is to be the professional membership society for healthcare executives; to meet its members’ professional, educational, and leadership needs; to promote high ethical standards and conduct; and to advance healthcare leadership and management excellence. The ACHE’s vision is to be the leader in providing knowledge, skills, and values that assist healthcare executive leaders in improving the health status of society. Its goals are to: Expand and diversify membership; Strengthen credentialing programs; Advance healthcare management excellence; Collaborate with other organizations to achieve common objectives; Promote ethical standards and conduct; Enhance career development opportunities; and, Ensure ACHE organizational strength.

American College of Medical Quality - The mission of the American College of Medical Quality (ACMQ) is to provide leadership in creating, sustaining and applying a scientifically based infrastructure for the practice of clinical quality improvement. Its objectives are to: Educate and provide a forum for health care professionals, government agencies, and other regulatory bodies involved in medical quality management; Provide a core body of knowledge to health care professionals in the field of medical quality management; Elevate the standards of medical schools and post-graduate education in medical quality management; and, Conduct and sponsor on-going research and evaluation in the various fields of medical quality.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - The ACOG is a membership organization of obstetrician-gynecologists dedicated to the advancement of women's health through education, advocacy, practice and research. Obstetrics and gynecology is a discipline dedicated to the broad, integrated medical and surgical care of women's health throughout their life-span. The combined discipline of obstetrics and gynecology requires extensive study and understanding of reproductive physiology, including the physiologic, social, cultural, environmental and genetic factors that influence disease in women. This study and understanding of the reproductive physiology of women gives obstetricians and gynecologists a unique perspective in addressing gender-specific health care issues. Primary and preventive counseling and education are essential and integral parts of the practice of an obstetrician-gynecologist as they advance the individual and community-based health of women of all ages. Obstetricians and gynecologists may choose a wide or more focused scope of practice from primary ambulatory health to concentration in a particular area of specialization.

American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - ACOEM provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments by: educating health professionals and the public; stimulating research; enhancing the quality of practice; guiding public policy; and advancing the field of occupational and environmental medicine. Occupational and environmental medicine is the medicine specialty devoted to prevention and management of occupational and environmental injury, illness and disability, and promotion of health and productivity of workers, their families, and communities. ACOEM, an international society of occupational physicians, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.

American College of Physician Executives - The American College of Physician Executives mission is to provide physicians with the tools they need to meet the challenges of medical practice today to position themselves for the future.

American College of Physicians and American Society of Internal Medicine - The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM) is the Nation’s largest medical specialty society. Its mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.

American College of Preventive Medicine - The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is the national professional society for physicians committed to disease prevention and health promotion. ACPM's members are engaged in preventive medicine practice, teaching and research. Many serve on ACPM committees and task forces and represent preventive medicine in national forums, contributing to the organization's role as a major national resource of expertise in disease prevention and health promotion. ACPM was established in 1954.

American College of Radiology - The American College of Radiology is the principal organization of radiologists, radiation oncologists, and clinical medical physicists in the United States. The College is a nonprofit professional society whose primary purposes are to improve service to the patient, advance the science of radiology, study the socioeconomic aspects of the practice of radiology, and encourage continuing education for radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and persons practicing in allied professional fields.

American College of Rheumatology - The American College of Rheumatology is an organization of physicians, health professionals, and scientists that advances rheumatology through programs of education, research, and advocacy that foster excellence in the care of people with arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

American College of Surgeons - The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.

American Dental Association - The ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards. Its vision is to be the oral health authority committed to the public and the profession.

American Dietetic Association - The American Dietetic Association promotes optimal nutrition and well being for all people by advocating for its members. Its vision is to have its members be the leading source of food and nutrition services.

American Gastroenterological Association - The AGA was founded in 1897 and is the oldest nonprofit specialty medical society in the country. Gastroenterologic physicians and scientists throughout the world engaged in clinical practice, research, and education belong to the AGA. Membership is limited to physicians, researchers and/or educators whose primary practice, research and/or teaching involves the functions and disorders of the digestive system.

American Geriatrics Society - The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals, research scientists, and other concerned individuals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The AGS promotes high quality, comprehensive and accessible care for America's older population, including those who are chronically ill and disabled. The organization provides leadership to health care professionals, policy makers and the public by developing, implementing and advocating programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.

American Health Information Management Association - The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is the dynamic professional association that represents specially educated health information management professionals who work throughout the healthcare industry. Health information management professionals serve the healthcare industry and the public by managing, analyzing, and utilizing data vital for patient care -- and making it accessible to healthcare providers when it is needed most.

American Hospital Association - The American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. Through its representation and advocacy activities, AHA ensures that members' perspectives and needs are heard and addressed in national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matters. Its advocacy efforts include the legislative and executive branches and include the legislative and regulatory arenas. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.

American Medical Association - The AMA is an organization of physicians and a patient's advocate. Founded more than 150 years ago, AMA's strategic agenda is commitment to standards, ethics, excellence in medical education and practice, and advocacy on behalf of the medical profession and the patients it serves. AMA's work includes the development and promotion of standards in medical practice, research, and education; strong advocacy agenda on behalf of patients and physicians; and the commitment to providing timely information on matters important to the health of America. The AMA strives to serve as the voice of the American medical profession. Being that voice is its mission.

American Medical Group Association - AMGA is an association that represents medical groups, including some of the nation’s largest, most prestigious integrated health care delivery systems. AMGA’s mission is to shape the health care environment by advancing high quality, cost-effective, patient-centered, and physician-directed health care. AMGA is the strategic partner for medical groups providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs and publications, bench-marking data services, and financial and operations assistance.

American Medical Informatics Association - The American Medical Informatics Association is a nonprofit organization of individuals, institutions, and corporations dedicated to developing and using information technologies to improve health care. AMIA was formed in 1990 by the merger of three organizations - the American Association for Medical Systems and Informatics (AAMSI), the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI), and the Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care (SCAMC). The members of AMIA include physicians, nurses, computer and information scientists, biomedical engineers, medical librarians, and academic researchers and educators. AMIA is the official United States representative organization to the International Medical Informatics Association.

American Nurses Association - The American Nurses Association is a full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.6 million Registered Nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

American Occupational Therapy Association - The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public. Its vision is to ensure that the contributions of occupational therapy to health, wellness, productivity, and the quality of life are widely used, understood, and valued by society.

American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society - The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) is an organization of orthopaedic surgeons who have special interest and training in the foot and ankle. Its members are medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy who, after completing medical school, have taken at least five years of additional training to become specialists in the care of diseases and deformities of the foot and the ankle and their surgical treatment.

American Pharmaceutical Association - The American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), the national professional society of pharmacists, was founded in 1852 and is the first established and largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States. The members of APhA include practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmacy students, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. The Association is a leader in providing professional information and education for pharmacists and an advocate for improved health of the American public through the provision of comprehensive pharmaceutical care.

American Physical Therapy Association - The mission of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the principal membership organization representing and promoting the profession of physical therapy, is to further the profession's role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions and the enhancement of the physical health and functional abilities of members of the public.

American Psychiatric Association - The American Psychiatric Association is a medical specialty society recognized world-wide. Its U.S. and international member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorder, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders. It is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry. Its vision is a society that has available, accessible quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

American Roentgen Ray Society - The American Roentgen Ray Society, founded in 1900, is the first and oldest radiology society in the United States. The society has been a forum for progress in radiology since shortly after the discovery of the X-ray and is dedicated to the goal of the advancement of medicine through the science of radiology and its allied sciences. The goal of the ARRS is maintained through an annual scientific and educational meeting and through publication of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. ASHA's mission is to ensure that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders have access to quality services to help them communicate effectively. On its site you will find information to help you understand communication and communication disorders as well as a referral service, so you can get access to qualified professionals.

American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM is listed as "the Nation's medical specialty society dedicated to educating physicians and improving the treatment of individuals suffering from alcoholism and other addictions."

American Society of Anesthesiologists - The American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association of physicians organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient. Since its founding in 1905, the Society's achievements have made it an important voice in American Medicine and the foremost advocate for all patients who require anesthesia or relief from pain. As physicians, anesthesiologists are responsible for administering anesthesia to relieve pain and for managing vital life functions, including breathing, heart rhythm and blood pressure, during surgery. After surgery, they maintain the patient in a comfortable state during the recovery, and are involved in the provision of critical care medicine in the intensive care unit.

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery - The mission of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery is to raise the standards and skills of anterior segment surgeons through clinical and practice management education and to work with patients, government and the medical community to promote delivery of quality eye care.

American Society of Clinical Oncology - As a nonprofit organization, ASCO is dedicated to achieving its charitable mission outlined by the organization’s founders in 1964. ASCO strongly supports all types of cancer research, but in particular, patient-oriented clinical research. ASCO’s mission is four-fold: To facilitate the delivery of high quality health care; To foster the exchange and diffusion of information and ideas related to cancer, including the biology, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and psychosocial impact of cancer; To further the training of all persons in clinical research and in the total care of patients with cancer; and, To encourage optimal communication among the various specialties concerned with cancer.

American Society of Clinical Pathologists - The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is a not-for-profit medical society organized exclusively for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. Its mission is to promote the public health and safety by the appropriate application of pathology and laboratory medicine and to serve as the national resource to enhance the quality of pathology and laboratory medicine, primarily by developing comprehensive educational programs and materials.

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons - The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is an association of surgeons and other professionals dedicated to assuring high quality patient care by advancing the science, prevention and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

American Society of Healthcare Engineering - ASHE is the advocate and resource for continuous improvement in the health care engineering and facilities management professions.

American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc. - The mission of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is to support its members in their efforts to provide the highest quality patient care and maintain professional and ethical standards through education, research, and advocacy of socioeconomic and other professional activities. The mission statement of the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation is to develop and support the domestic and international education, research and public service activities of plastic surgeons.

American Society of Radiology Technologists - The mission of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists is to give medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals the knowledge, resources and support they need to provide quality patient care. ASRT achieves this mission by: Developing useful educational materials for radiologic technologists and delivering them in innovative ways; Strengthening professional standards; Enhancing the profession’s image and reputation; Upholding the profession’s code of ethics; Promoting unity within the profession while respecting its diversity; and Supporting research and progress in the radiologic sciences. ASRT leads its members, their health care colleagues, the profession and the public on all issues that affect the radiologic sciences. It works to enhance the delivery of radiologic care and to ensure its safety, quality and efficacy.

American Thoracic Society - The American Thoracic Society, founded in 1905, is an independently incorporated, international, educational and scientific society which focuses on respiratory and critical care medicine. The Society's members help prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care, and advocacy. The Society's long-range goal is to decrease morbidity and mortality from respiratory disorders and life-threatening acute illnesses.

American Thyroid Association - The American Thyroid Association is dedicated to promoting scientific and public understanding of the biology of the thyroid gland and its disorders, so as to improve methods for prevention, diagnosis, and management.

American Urological Association - The AUA conducts a wide range of activities to ensure that its members stay current on the latest research and best practices in the field of urology. An educational nonprofit organization, the AUA pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care by providing a wide range of services, including publications, the Annual Meeting, continuing medical education and health policy advocacy.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology, Inc. - The Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC) was officially established in 1972. In 1973, the first international elections were held to select a board of directors and officers. In 1993, the organization changed its name to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). This change reflects the role of infection control professionals in the epidemiological process.

Clinical Laboratory Management Association - CLMA is an international organization with members who are responsible for laboratories and clinical services in hospitals and health-care networks, group practices, and independent settings. CLMA is dedicated to enhancing managerial and leadership skills; promoting efficient, productive, and high-quality operations; and advocating on behalf of quality patient care and the membership.

College of American Pathologists - The mission of the College, the principal organization of board-certified pathologists, is to represent the interests of patients, the public, and pathologists by fostering excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.

College of Healthcare Information Management Executives - The College was formed with the dual objective of serving the professional development needs of healthcare CIOs, and advocating the more effective use of information management within healthcare. The College was unveiled at the 1992 HIMSS Annual Conference, and the membership quickly grew. The CHIM organization played a major supporting role in The College's development, providing staff and office support to the new organization. The College was created as a complement to HIMSS, intending to provide a specific focus for healthcare CIOs. The College events and activities were designed to reflect that purpose, including CIO-oriented surveys, education programs, and networking activities.

Emergency Medicine BBS (EMBBS) - This site was established to provide educational resources for Emergency and Primary Care physicians and health care providers.

Federation of American Hospitals - The principle objective of the Federation is to foster the public good through the creation and delivery of quality health care for all people. The Federation's members include corporations or other organizations involved in the delivery of health care services that share a common philosophy of providing high quality, affordable health care, through free enterprise.

Health Care Compliance Association - HCCA is a forum for healthcare professionals involved in compliance, serving all segments of the health care industry. Its stated function: To promote quality compliance programs in health care -- their introduction, development, and maintenance; To provide a forum for interaction and information exchange to enable its members to provide high quality compliance programs; and, To create high quality educational opportunities for those involved with compliance in the health care industry.

Health Care eBusiness Collaborative - HCEC's mission is to improve the efficiency of eBusiness in healthcare through the collaborative development of the Electronic Data Infrastructure (EDI) across the healthcare industry. This "Infrastructure" is built on the industry-wide adoption and use of common electronic data standards in Electronic Data Interchange, Internet Commerce, Automatic Data Capture and Industry Databases.

Health Level Seven - HL7 - Health Level Seven is one of several ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) operating in the healthcare arena. Most SDOs produce standards (sometimes called specifications or protocols) for a particular healthcare domain such as pharmacy, medical devices, imaging or insurance (claims processing) transactions. Health Level Seven’s domain is clinical and administrative data. Its mission is: "To provide standards for the exchange, management and integration of data that support clinical patient care and the management, delivery and evaluation of healthcare services. Specifically, to create flexible, cost effective approaches, standards, guidelines, methodologies, and related services for interoperability between healthcare information systems."

Healthcare Financial Management Association - HFMA is the Nation’s leading personal membership organization for healthcare financial management professionals. HFMA brings perspective and clarity to the industry’s complex issues for the purpose of preparing its members to succeed and, more importantly, to be successful. Through its programs, publications and partnerships it enhances the capabilities that strengthen not only individual careers, but also the organizations from which its members come.

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society - The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society provides leadership in healthcare for the management of technology, information and change through publications, educational opportunities and member services. Members include healthcare professionals in hospitals, corporate healthcare systems, clinical practice groups, vendor organizations, healthcare consulting firms, and government settings in professional levels ranging from senior staff to CIOs and CEOs. HIMSS members are responsible for developing many of today's key innovations in healthcare delivery and administration, including telemedicine, computer-based patient records, community health information networks, and portable/wireless healthcare computing.

Hospice Association of America - The Hospice Association of America (HAA) is a national organization representing more than 2,800 hospices and thousands of caregivers and volunteers who serve terminally ill patients and their families. Recently ranked the most effective health care trade organization on Capitol Hill by Congressional offices, HAA is the largest lobbying group for hospice, advocating the industry's interests before Congress, the regulatory agencies, other national organizations, the courts, the media, and the public. HAA is an affiliate of the National Association for Home Care (NAHC), the world's largest organization representing home care, hospice, and home care aide services.

KidsGrowth Professional - Link to a site for professionals that includes a secure community providing the tools to succeed in today's health care marketplace. Contains on-line practice management and resources for pediatric professionals.

International Executive Housekeepers Association, Inc. - The International Executive Housekeepers Association, Inc. is a professional organization committed to a cleaner, safer, healthier environment. This mission of IEHA is to provide a professional organization for Executive Housekeepers, Directors of Environmental Services, managers within the housekeeping or custodial activities, and suppliers of custodial goods and services. Through this organization, individuals can attain education, share research, and achieve recognition for success while interacting with colleagues within the career environment

International Medical Informatics Association - IMIA plays a major global role in the application of information science and technology in the fields of healthcare and research in medical, health and bio informatics. The basic goals and objectives of the association are to: Promote informatics in health care and research in health, bio and medical informatics; Advance and nurture international cooperation; Stimulate research, development and routine application; Move informatics from theory into practice in a full range of health delivery settings, from physician's office to acute and long term care; Further the dissemination and exchange of knowledge, information and technology; Promote education and responsible behavior; and, Represent the medical and health informatics field with the World Health Organization and other international professional and governmental organizations.

JCAHO: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations - The JCAHO’s mission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, JCAHO is the Nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Since 1951, JCAHO has developed state-of-the-art, professionally based standards and evaluated the compliance of health care organizations against these benchmarks.

Managed Care Information Center - The Managed Care Information Center was formed to serve as a clearinghouse for healthcare executives' managed care information needs by publishing newsletters, advisories, guides, manuals, special reports and books.

Managed Care On-Line - Link to a business-to-business health management and managed care resource company.

Medical Group Management Association - The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), founded in 1926, is the nation's principal voice for medical group practice. Through its annual surveys of practice cost, physician compensation, and management compensation, MGMA produces benchmark data on medical practices. Its analyses of better performing practices serve to advance the art and science of practice management, and provide important educational resources for members. The MGMA Annual Conference each fall attracts many practice leaders, and the accompanying trade exhibition enables attendees to evaluate products and services to help their practice operate more efficiently and effectively.

Medical Records Institute - Medical Records Institute is committed to promoting the development and acceptance of electronic health care. Since 1983, MRI has pursued this mission on a national and international basis by sponsoring educational programs, including TEPR, (http://www.tepr.com) one of the largest health information technology conferences in the world designed to share the knowledge, experience, and solutions of healthcare informatics leaders and vendors. MRI supports, coordinates and leads the process of creating healthcare information standards by conducting surveys and studies related to selected EHR and standards issues, assisting EHR developers in finding alliances and partnerships and acting as a voice of conscience on aspects of confidentiality, security, and social impact.

Medscape - Medscape claims to offer specialists, primary care physicians, and other health professionals the Web's most robust and integrated medical information and education tools. Per Medscape, after a simple, one time, free registration, they automatically deliver the specialty site that best fits the registrant’s profile. Registrants can also change their Medscape home page to any of its specialty and profession sites.

Microsoft Healthcare Users Group - MS-HUG is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization catering to the needs of information systems developers and users in the healthcare industry. Individual and corporate membership dues and conference revenues fund MS-HUG. The mission of the Microsoft Healthcare Users Group, Inc. (MS-HUG) is to be the healthcare industry forum for exchanging ideas, promoting learning, and sharing solutions for information systems using Microsoft technologies. MS-HUG will leverage this forum to provide industry leadership, drive appropriate standards and develop associated requirements in support of healthcare solutions. MS-HUG’s ability to fulfill this mission is predicated on a broad-based membership combining the experience and knowledge of solution providers, technical professionals, health care end-users, care givers from provider organizations, payors, and information systems vendors. This diverse membership is unified by a shared interest in implementing vendor and user-developed software based on Microsoft technology to improve quality and efficiency in healthcare.

National Association for Home Care - NAHC believes that Americans should receive health care and social services in their own homes, so far as this is possible. Senior citizens and other vulnerable groups should be able to live in independence through the assistance of home care services, making institutionalization a last resort. NAHC seeks to reverse the current bias that places hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of fragile children and chronically ill seniors in nursing homes or retained in hospitals when they could receive equal or better care at home. NAHC believes that home care keeps families together and is devoted to doing all in its power to preserve the sanctity of the American family, the bedrock of American democracy.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners - NAPNAP is the professional organization that advocates for children, (infants through young adults), and provides leadership for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who deliver Primary health care in a variety of settings.

National Association of Social Workers - NASW is a membership organization that promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the effective functioning and well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its work and through its advocacy.

National Board for Respiratory Care - The NBRC strives for excellence in providing credentialing examinations and associated services to the respiratory community, and intends to remain at the forefront of the testing field by offering valid, reliable credentialing examinations, consistent with leading measurement standards and techniques.

National Committee for Quality Assurance - The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality everywhere. In response to the need for standardized, objective information about the quality of these organizations, NCQA began accrediting managed care organizations (MCOs) in 1991. Although the MCO accreditation program is voluntary and rigorous, it has been well received by the managed care industry, and almost half the HMOs in the nation, covering three-quarters of all HMO enrollees, are currently in an HMO that has been reviewed by NCQA.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end-of-life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones. Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach of expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's wishes. Emotional and spiritual support also is extended to the family and loved ones. Generally, this care is provided in the patient's home or in a home-like setting operated by a hospice program. Medicare, private health insurance, and Medicaid in most states cover hospice care for patients who meet certain criteria.

National Managed Health Care Congress - The National Managed Health Care Congress (NMHCC) serves as a knowledge source for all healthcare constituents—purchasers, payors, providers and suppliers—and seeks to increase the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery through the identification and communication of new ideas, best practices and innovative clinical and management solutions.

National Mental Health Association - The National Mental Health Association is dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and achieving victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, research and service. It envisions a just, humane and healthy society in which all people are accorded respect, dignity, and the opportunity to achieve their full potential free from stigma and prejudice.

National Practitioner Data Bank / Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank - (1) The legislation that led to the creation of the NPDB was enacted because the U.S. Congress believed that the increasing occurrence of medical malpractice litigation and the need to improve the quality of medical care had become nationwide problems that warranted greater efforts than any individual State could undertake. The intent is to improve the quality of health care by encouraging State licensing boards, hospitals and other health care entities, and professional societies to identify and discipline those who engage in unprofessional behavior; and to restrict the ability of incompetent physicians, dentists, and other health care practitioners to move from State to State without disclosure or discovery of previous medical malpractice payment and adverse action history. Adverse actions can involve licensure, clinical privileges, professional society membership, and exclusions from Medicare and Medicaid. The NPDB is primarily an alert or flagging system intended to facilitate a comprehensive review of health care practitioners' professional credentials. The information contained in the NPDB is intended to direct discrete inquiry into, and scrutiny of, specific areas of a practitioner's licensure, professional society memberships, medical malpractice payment history, and record of clinical privileges. The information contained in the NPDB should be considered together with other relevant data in evaluating a practitioner's credentials; it is intended to augment, not replace, traditional forms of credentials review. (2)The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Office of Inspector General (OIG), was directed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to create the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB) to combat fraud and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery. Health care fraud burdens the nation with enormous financial costs and threatens the quality of health care and patient safety. The HIPDB is primarily a flagging system that may serve to alert users that a comprehensive review of a practitioner's, provider's, or supplier's past actions may be prudent. The HIPDB is intended to augment, not replace, traditional forms of review and investigation, serving as an important supplement to a careful review of a practitioner's, provider's, or supplier's past actions.

National Wellness Institute - Link to the National Wellness Institute, whose stated mission is to serve the professionals and organizations that promote optimal health and wellness to individuals and communities. They are committed to the promotion of optimal well-being.

Radiology Society of North America - The purpose of the Radiological Society of North America is to promote and develop the highest standards of radiology and related sciences through education and research. The Society seeks to provide radiologists and allied health scientists with educational programs and materials of the highest quality, and to constantly improve the content and value of these educational activities. The Society seeks to promote research in all aspects of Radiology and related sciences, including basic clinical research in the promotion of quality healthcare. The Society seeks to foster closer fellowship among all radiologists and greater cooperation among radiologists and members of other branches of medicine and allied healthcare professionals.

Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology - The Society of Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology (SCVIR) is a professional society for physicians who specialize in interventional or minimally invasive procedures. SCVIR is a nonprofit, national scientific organization deeply committed to its mission to improve health and the quality of life through the practice of cardiovascular and interventional radiology. The Society promotes education, research, and communication in the field while providing strong leadership in the development of health care policy.

Society of Critical Care Medicine - The Society of Critical Care Medicine is a multidisciplinary, multi-professional international organization whose mission is to secure the highest quality care for all critically ill patients by: Promoting the superiority of a multidisciplinary team directed by a qualified intensivist for delivery of the highest quality, cost-efficient critical care; Providing the finest education for healthcare professionals, the public and policy makers regarding optimal delivery of critical care; Promoting and supporting the highest quality research in critical care; Advocating a career pathway in critical care that will attract and retain the highest quality physicians, nurses and other personnel; Advocating to patients, the public, and policy makers that critical care is a compassionate discipline which seeks to make very sick patients well and return them to normal life; Promoting a healing, safe and effective critical care environment for patients, their families and care givers; and, Promoting and advocating all of these principles wherever critical care occurs across the healthcare continuum.

Society of Nuclear Medicine - The Society of Nuclear Medicine is an international scientific and professional organization founded in 1954 to promote the science, technology and practical application of nuclear medicine. Its members are physicians, technologists and scientists specializing in the research and practice of nuclear medicine. In addition to publishing journals, newsletters and books, the Society also sponsors international meetings and workshops designed to increase the competencies of nuclear medicine practitioners and to promote new advances in the science of nuclear medicine. The Society maintains an active advocacy program to promote and encourage research and the advancement of nuclear medicine science and produces a number of programs to help physicians and technologists remain current with the latest advances. The Society also sponsors education programs for consumers to help them understand nuclear medicine and the constructive role it can play in both diagnostic and therapeutic therapies. The Society, which is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, maintains strong relationships with international societies of nuclear medicine, universities, independent laboratories and suppliers of both equipment and radiopharmaceuticals. It plays an important role in creating forums within which medical professionals from all medical disciplines collaborate on improving patient care.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is the largest thoracic surgical organization in the world; our members include a significant majority of all board-certified thoracic surgeons in the United States and Canada. The Society is directly involved in issues of concern to all thoracic surgeons, including: Professional affairs; STS National Database outcomes monitoring; Nomenclature and coding services; Standards and ethics.

Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine - SNOMED - SNOMED's design is based on the premise that a detailed and specific nomenclature is essential to accurately reflect, in computer readable format, the complexity and diversity of information found in a patient record. The design ensures clarity of meaning, consistency in aggregation and ease of messaging.

VisionScience.com - Link to an Internet resource for research in human and animal vision.

Healthcare Related Magazines:

Advance for Health Information Executives - ADVANCE for Health Information Executives specializes in coverage of emerging e-health and computer-based patient record technologies. Published monthly, each issue features articles written by leading health care executives and consultants who discuss practical solutions and strategies for top-priority information systems challenges. Affiliations with major industry professional associations, including the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), National Managed Health Care Congress (NMHCC), the Microsoft Healthcare Users Group (MS-HUG) and The IPA Association of America (TIPAAA), also contribute invaluable, up-to-date information about this dynamic industry.

Advance for Health Information Professionals - ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals, FREE to all subscribers, is a biweekly publication that gives its readers valuable information in the HIM field. Strong editorial relationships with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT), along with a distinguished editorial advisory board, make ADVANCE a leading authority in health information. ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals features easy-to-read articles that cover a broad spectrum of HIM issues. Acting as a sounding board for the debate of critical professional issues, ADVANCE encourages readers to discuss the issues important to every health-information professional. With features including coding columns and Stedman's Update column, readers can stay abreast of changes happening in the industry.

Health Forum - The Health Forum provides communications, information, education and research products and services that advance leadership for health. These services empower health care providers, suppliers, payers and consumers with new knowledge and learning toward the advancement of organizational leadership, market leadership, clinical and medical leadership and community leadership. The Health Forum was created in the fall of 1998 through the union of The Healthcare Forum and the American Hospital Association's publishing and data and information subsidiaries. Health Forum enhances the capacity of leaders to improve health through shared knowledge, innovative solutions and market insights.

HealthLeaders.com - HealthLeaders is a leading multi-platform media company dedicated to meeting the business information needs of healthcare executives and professionals. As an integrated media company, HealthLeaders consists of the following entities: HealthLeaders Magazine, On-line News, HealthLeaders Research, HealthLeaders HCMO (Healthcare market Overview) and HealthFax (California and Florida). All available on the Web.

Health Management Technology Magazine - Published by Nelson Publishing, Inc., Nokomis, FL, this magazine bills itself as the industry's source for information systems solutions.

Healthcare Informatics - Healthcare Informatics is a monthly business magazine that provides timely, high-quality intelligence about information technology for the executives and managers on the IT decision-making team in healthcare facilities and organizations of every type. They present news, features and resource lists; analyze and interpret major trends influencing the healthcare market; report on major IT installations; and cover both domestic and global issues.

Hospitals and Health Networks - A publication of Health Forum. Health Forum offers a wide variety of information publications devoted to improving the quality of health care. Their five magazines and weekly newspaper bring the latest in health care business, social and economic trends, and management information to a wide audience of hospitals and health care executives.

Journal of the American Medical Association - JAMA’s mission is to promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of the public health.

Modern Healthcare - Modern Healthcare is said to be "the only business newsweekly serving healthcare management", "edited to keep healthcare executives current with news and trends in the field." Major areas of coverage are finance, managed care, integrated delivery systems, physician issues, marketing, information systems, technology, politics, plus developments in Washington, state legislatures, regulatory agencies and the courts that affect healthcare providers. Circulation is primarily controlled, and concentrated on executives with financial and purchasing responsibilities in hospitals, integrated delivery systems, managed care organization, medical group clinics, multi-hospital systems and group purchasing organization, as well as architects and consultants to the field. Primary titles reached in hospitals are CEO's, presidents, administrators, CIO's, vice presidents, chief purchasing and financial officers and officers of the Board.

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