ABWM Newsletter - February 2012

ABWM NEWSLETTER

February 2012

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

2012 is off to an exciting start for ABWM. The name change to the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), formerly American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM) was official as of January 1, 2012. Along with the name change, ABWM rolled out a new look and enhanced website. The 3,000+ healthcare professionals certified by ABWM are receiving new certificates, identification cards and patches as they renew.

ABWM welcomed Applied Measurement Professionals as our new testing vendor in 2012. AMP offers ABWM state of the art testing centers at 170 locations throughout the United States, immediate score reporting at the completion of the exam and the ability to test year round, providing more options to GET CERTIFIED.

Congratulations to the 134 Certified Wound Care Associates (CWCA), 291 Certified Wound Specialists (CWS) and 22 Certified Wound Specialist Physicians (CWSP) that became certified in 2011. Your certification validates your commitment and dedication to competency assurance in wound care. The ABWM remains one of the most credible and prestigious certifying bodies in the wound care community.

ABWM looks forward to another successful year!

ABWM AT SAWC - Are You on the List?

Stop by the ABWM exhibit booth (225) at SAWC Spring in Atlanta, GA April 19-22 to learn more about us and to find out how you can become certified. If you are already certified, come by to pick up your VIP Pass in recognition of your certification.

2012 NEW ASSOCIATES AND DIPLOMATES

ABWM would like to recognize our newest Certified Wound Care Associates and Certified Wound Specialists who succesfully passed their certification examination. Please view the list of new Associates and Diplomates here.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Have you written an article? Received a promotion? Been appointed to a Board? Volunteered your wound care experience in underserved areas? Gone on a medical mission trip? If so, we want to hear from you!

ABWM is always looking to hear about what our Diplomates and Associates are doing in the field. Your work and dedication to providing the highest quality of care to your patients within your facility and community are a testament to the standards of excellence in multi-disciplinary wound certification which ABWM seeks to instill into wound management. Send news to info@abwmcertified.org.

ANNUAL RENEWALS

ABWM requires an annual renewal fee of $150 plus 6 hours of continuing education to maintain certification.

The 2012 annual renewal is now past due. If you have not yet submitted your annual renewal please do so NOW to ensure that your hard-earned certification is not revoked. The annual renewal form can be downloaded here.

10 YEAR RE-CERTIFICATION

CWCA, CWS and CWSP certification is valid for 10 years. In order to maintain your certification after ten years, you must retake the exam.

If you received your CWS certification in 2002, it's now time to take your 10 Year Re-Certification Exam. You will receive notice from ABWM approximately 8 weeks in advance of your anniversary date and must register for the CWS exam before your anniversary date. You will have three months to sit for the exam from the date of your registration. The Re-Certification Exam is offered at any time throughout the year at the 170 ABWM testing centers throughout the country. If you would like to register for the 10 Year Re-Certification Exam NOW you may download the registration form.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AUDIT

ABWM requires at least six hours of continuing education annually to maintain certification. ABWM conducts annual audits of 5% of renewals. Diplomates/Associates may be randomly selected for a Continuing Education Audit. Completing the audit is easy to do! If you are selected for an audit you will be notified by U.S. Mail and asked to provide documentation (attendance certificate, letter of attendance, program from course, etc.) of your continuing education. If you fail to respond or provide the requested documentation your certification could be revoked. The purpose of the audit is to help maintain the integrity of the ABWM and our certifications.

APPLICATION & HANDBOOK