LCME discusses CMED with faculty members
Faculty had a chance to express concerns about the College of Medicine during a meeting with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education survey team.
Four faculty representatives met with the three LCME members of the accreditation team Tuesday afternoon in Rowe Hall. The faculty gave written concerns regarding CMED to the LCME members.
Academic Senate Chairman and Teacher Education and Professional Development Professor Jim McDonald was responsible for arranging the meeting. He was one of the faculty members who met with LCME and was responsible for choosing the three others who attended: Political Science Professor James Hill and Physician Assistant faculty members Ahmad Hakemi and John Lopes.
“I thought it went fairly well,” Lopes said. “I think it was a very cordial meeting.”
The LCME was on campus Sunday through Thursday of this week, deciding whether CMED can move further toward academic accreditation.
Hill said each faculty member was chosen to help as an expert in a different area. Lopes and Hakemi both understand the medical world, he said.
“We each took a role in the issues,” Hill said. “I’m an attorney so I understand legal issues. I’ve worn many hats at this university so I understand the institutional side to it.”
Hill said they helped fill in missing gaps of information for the LCME team. It was difficult putting together information to discuss with LCME regarding CMED, he said, because the CMED documents in the library were released only two days before the team arrived.
Lopes said he discussed the CMED graduate process with the LCME because it was his area of expertise.
“We all had input in the presentation. We just brought some expertise to the committee in helping Dr. McDonald understand the lingo and standards of medical programs,” Lopes said.
Lopes said the discussion between the group and the LCME is confidential and he could not repeat what was said in the meeting. Only the four faculty and three LCME members were in the room, he said.
He would not comment on what opinion the faculty shared with LCME in the meeting.
“That information is between us and the visitors,” Lopes said.
Hakemi said LCME accredits all the medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. CMU went through a multi-step process, first paying $25,000 to apply, then did paperwork, he said.
Hakemi said the LCME team prepares a report and submits it to a 17-member LCME board that will ultimately make the decision on Feb. 7, 2012. CMU will get a call a few days later, he said.
“If they are approved, then at that time, CMU can start accepting students,” he said. “If they don’t get approved, they have to restart all over again.”
CMED is scheduled to open in the summer of 2013.
Several weeks ago, the Academic Senate voted to halt further development of CMED curriculum, although it is uncertain if the A-Senate has the authority to do so, or if the vote will serve as a symbolic disapproval.
Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said the LCME will issue its report in early 2012.
