➽ The ACCME has built bridges with numerous organizations in the CME and healthcare environment. Through these connections, the ACCME has the opportunity to communicate the value of CME and facilitate the integration of CME in healthcare improvement initiatives. For example, the ACCME is an associate member of the American Board of Medical Specialties and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

➽ The ACCME participates regularly in the American Medical Association’s Council on Medical Education meetings to discuss issues of importance to both the accreditation and credit systems.

➽ The ACCME participates in the annual conference and initiatives of the Association of Independent Academic Medical Centers focused on all components of medical education as it relates to quality and improved patient care.

➽ The ACCME exchanges information about its systems, requirements, and strategic planning/directions with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

➽ The ACCME collaborates with the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education on the process for Joint Accreditation for the Provider of Interprofessional Continuing Education.

➽ The ACCME builds bridges with organizations that are outside the CME environment. For example, the ACCME participated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Editorial Summit: Advancing Public Health Globally, held in September 2011 in Atlanta. The goal of the summit was to establish a sustainable, collaborative forum to facilitate the dissemination of scientific information to healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and the public. ACCME’s chief executive Kopelow discussed how CME can support the translation of new science into physician practice and improved patient care. In January, the ACCME convened a follow-up meeting to further the forum’s goals.

➽ The ACCME reaches out to organizations outside the CME/healthcare systems to build awareness of accredited CME. For example, the ACCME was invited to participate in the first U.S.-India Higher Education Summit, held in Washington, D.C., in October 2011. Hosted by the U.S. and Indian governments, the summit brought together international leaders in government, business, and academia to discuss their strategic vision for building collaboration between the U.S. and India in the area of higher education. Kopelow offered his perspective about how continuing professional education can contribute to this initiative.

➽ The ACCME provides speakers for numerous educational and professional development events held by recognized accreditors, member organizations, CME organizations, and other stakeholder groups.