Welcome to ACCM - The Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine

Accreditation Activities

Founded in 1995 by Professor Conor Ward, the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) is an independent not-for-profit organisation based in the Republic of Ireland. The ACCM is invited by Governments in the Caribbean region to act on their behalf in relation to the inspection and accreditation of a medical college in a particular jurisdiction. At present ACCM is responsible to the Governments of Sint Maarten, the Island Territory of Saba, the Cayman Islands and Nevis Island for the accreditation of one medical college in each jurisdiction. The ACCM reports to each island Government, and on its behalf to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) of the United States Government Department of Education. The NCFMEA then assesses the ACCM’s report and the standards applied therein for comparability to U.S. standards.

Guidelines and Inspections

The Commission adheres to the guidelines of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education
(LCME) which is the recognised accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in U.S. and Canadian medical schools. Both basic science campuses and clinical sites are subject to inspection. Accreditation, if granted, is given for periods ranging from 1 to 6 years, and is reviewed annually in the light of visits made and reports received.

Elements and Protocol

The Commission applies the standards set out in its Elements of Accreditation, which are updated regularly to ensure compliance with LCME guidelines. The Commission’s Protocol for Accreditation sets out its own duties, structures and processes. The Protocol also advises medical colleges of the steps required of them before and during the accreditation process. Copies of the Elements and Protocol are available on application : office@accredmed.org

Accredited Medical Colleges

The following medical colleges have been accredited by ACCM, subject to their continuing compliance with the Elements of Accreditation:

Cayman Islands, West Indies: St Matthews University School of Medicine - 6 years to June 30, 2013

Island Territory of Saba, Netherlands Antilles: Saba University School of Medicine - 6 years to September 30, 2015

Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles: American University of the Caribbean - 6 years to December 31, 2015

Nevis Island, West Indies: Medical University of the Americas - 6 years to May 31, 2016

Commissioners

Philip Berman - MA, Dip Admin Sci(IPA) BA (Hons)Hospital Director, Strategy Advisor to Irish Red Cross

Barry Bresnihan - MD, FRCPI, FRCP(Lond) FRCP(Edin)Professor of Rheumatology; Consultant Rheumatologist.

Raymond Fitzgerald - MA, MB, FRCS, FRCSI, FRACS(Paeds), FRCSEd (Ad Hom).Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Surgery, retired Consultant Paediatric Surgeon.

Winifred Gorman - MD, BSc(Physiol), FAAP, LMCC, FRCPI. Former Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician, Lecturer in Neonatology

Elaine Kay - MD, FRCSI, FRCPath.Professor of Pathology; Consultant Histopathologist.

Francis Keane - MD, FRCS, FRCSI.Associate Professor of Surgery; Consultant Colorectal Surgeon.

Brian Lawlor - MD, FRCPI, FRCPsych.Professor of Old Age Psychiatry; Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist.

Clive Lee - MD, PhD, Sc.D., FRCSI, FRCSEd, CEng, FIEI.Professor of Anatomy, Chair of Executive of Centre for Bioengineering.

Eilis McGovern - MD, FRCSI, Dip.Med.Mgt..DCH, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Trainer in Surgery.

Anthony Peacock, MD, FAAP Lecturer in General Practice and Family Medicine; Family Medicine Practitioner.

Ian Temperley - MD, M.Litt, FTCD (Emeritus), FRCPI, FRCPath.Retired Professor of Haematology; former Consultant Haematologist.

Michael Turner - MAO, FRCPI, FRCOG.Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist.