Synergy - July/August 2014 - 8

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

Reaching Our Goals

I

t is difficult to believe, but we are
already half-way through 2014 - time
has been swift.

John R. Pastrano, BBA,
CPCS, CPMSM
Administrative Director, Medical
Staff Services
Centennial Medical Center
12505 Lebanon Road
Frisco, TX 75035
PH: 972/963-3078
FAX: 972/963-3929
John.Pastrano@tenethealth.com
Doctor's Hospital at White Rock Lake
9440 Poppy Drive, Suite 215
Dallas, TX 75214
PH: 214/324-6324
FAX: 214/324-6844

I am writing this message after an
exhilarating half-day meeting of NAMSS'
first Ideal Credentialing Standards
(ICS) Roundtable, held on May 8. The
ICS Roundtable brought together 16
representatives from government agencies
and leading healthcare policy experts to
discuss practitioner credentialing and how
the industry could work together to improve
the practitioner credentialing process.
The Roundtable provided a platform for
thought leaders to discuss the flaws of
the current credentialing system and the
steps necessary to standardize provider
credentialing. We all know that industry
collaboration is essential to realize a
credentialing system that reduces costs,
streamlines the process - and ultimately,
protects patients.
NAMSS hosted 16 individuals representing
the American Board of Medical Specialties,
American College of Physician Executives,
American Hospital Association, AMA
Organized Medical Staff Section, American
Society for Healthcare Risk Management,
Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Federation of State Medical Boards,

We all know that industry collaboration is
essential to realize a credentialing system
that reduces costs, streamlines the process
- and ultimately, protects patients.
Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program,
Health Resources and Services Administration,
Medical Group Management Association,
National Association for Healthcare Quality,
National Patient Safety Foundation, The Joint
Commission, and URAC.
NAMSS leadership was also present. Kate
Conklin, NAMSS Past President, moderated
the event and John Richardson, Policy
8

/

S Y N E R G Y J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

& Government Relations Director spoke
on behalf of NAMSS. Kate also provided
an overview of NAMSS' vision for ideal
credentialing and gathered input from the
participants. The participants jumped into
the discussion and provided great feedback
on improving the credentialing process.
Participants exchanged a lot of great ideas
and although we had to wrap up the
discussion for the day, we acknowledged
that this was just the beginning of a very
promising collaboration.

NAMSS continues to
lead our profession and
our professional growth.
NAMSS continues to lead our profession and
our professional growth. The NAMSS Board
of Directors continues to review and assess
our established goals of our strategic plan:
competency, influence change, leadership,
and other initiatives. The Ideal Credentialing
Standards is just one way we are reaching
our goals in these areas, as it will foster and
influence change within the credentialing
profession. Each aspect helps us develop
ourselves and continue to be a gatekeeper
for our patients or members.
I encourage everyone to attend the
upcoming NAMSS Conference, which will
be held October 4 - 8 in New Orleans this
year. This is a great opportunity for everyone
to hear "the latest and greatest" regarding
standards, best practices, and trends in
our association. If you need assistance in
justifying the need to attend the conference,
please note that a draft justification letter is
available on the NAMSS website.
As we look to the next six months, we
will no doubt find more challenges and
opportunities ahead. In all of this, though,
NAMSS will continue to work toward the
goals we have established for our association.
I look forward to what's ahead, and I hope
to see many of you in New Orleans.
John R. Pastrano, CPCS, CPMSM, BBA
Synergy - July/August 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Synergy - July/August 2014
