Information for Commercial Supporters

St. Joseph Hospital accepts commercial support of CME activities when provided in accordance with the WSMA & ACCME Standards for Commercial Support and the AMA's Ethical Opinions. We work with those companies who adhere to the PhRMA, AvaMed, or NEMA Codes of Ethics.

We believe educational exchange between physicians and industry can benefit patient services.  With that said, commercial entities can in no way direct or control the content of Category 1 CME activities.  To maintain the unbiased spirit of Continuing Medical Education, promotion of commercial interests must remain absent from CME. 

Supporters may ask to attend (but not participate in) educational activities at St. Joseph, with the exception of our weekly Tumor Boards.  We may, from time to time, invite faculty from commercial Speaker's Bureaus, but those speakers must disclose their interests and remain unbiased in every facet of their presentation.  Speakers may not be directly funded by commercial entities, even via in-kind support.  Appropriate monies must be received and disbursed through the CME office; otherwise the event is not eligible for Category 1 credit. Typically funds are received in the form of unrestricted educational grants and are secured with our Letter of Agreement.

The inception of Category 1 CME activity at St. Joseph is determined by staff interest, Quality Services data, and the health-related concerns of local non-profit agencies.  Although commercial entities can offer input in planning a CME activity, that input cannot be the source of direction. 

The CME Coordinator can help you through the process of supporting educational activities.

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