About NAMEC

NAMEC was founded in 2002 by four medical education professionals and their companies and has since grown exponentially. There are hundreds of medical education and communications companies (MECCs) in the United States and approximately 110 are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). As a result, MECCs play a crucial role in educating thousands of medical professionals and patients each year, ultimately affecting millions. In the past, there has been no organized voice for MECCs. In the ever-changing and complicated medical education and communications environment, NAMEC functions as a representative and advocate of our industry. If you are interested in becoming a member of NAMEC, please review the eligibility requirements and contact the NAMEC Business Office.

Inaugural Meeting

The inaugural meeting of the organization was conducted on October 16, 2001 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland, immediately prior to the 12th Annual Conference of the National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration.

Recent Accomplishments

• Petitioned ACCME to release performance data by Provider Type
   
• Established the NAMEC Best Practice and Exemplary CME Professional Awards to recognize exceptional contributions to CME by organizations and individuals
   
• Continued to responded to criticism of MECCs in letters to the editor of Annals of Internal Medicine and other publications
   
• Published an article focusing on Educational Interventions and Outcomes in the journal CE Measure
   
• Conducted a teleconference with ACCME to help NAMEC members assess the implications of the Updated Accreditation Criteria
   
• Conducted a teleconference with ACCME to help NAMEC members assess the implications of the updated Standards for Commercial Support
   
• Collaborated with the Pharmaceutical Alliance for CME (PACME) to develop a framework to assist MECCs and industry funders in evaluating potential educational partners
   
• Collaborated with the Coalition for Healthcare Communication to conduct a teleconference with ACCME to help industry grantors understand the implications of the updated Standards for Commercial for Commercial Support
   
• Provided member organizations with important news and updates through our Web site, List Serve, and e-mail Flashpoint News communications

A Voice for Medical Education Companies