Synergy - September/October 2014 - 8

president's column

NAMSS at Work

I

n my everyday life, I oversee the Medical
Staff Services departments at two hospitals
in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex.
I travel from home to one hospital, then
sometimes to the other hospital, and then
home. I often listen to my favorite station on
my drive that plays the '60s, '70s and '80s
(the oldies) music. It is hard for me to
believe that the music I love is designated as
part of the oldies these days.

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

Recently, a song came on by Men at Work,
and it reminded me of the "NAMSS Board
at Work" and the progress we are making
regarding the various aspects and concerns
of our profession and membership. I'd like
to briefly showcase the variety of work we're
currently focusing on to make NAMSS the
reputable association it is today.
At our most recent NAMSS board meeting,
the Certification Commission of NAMSS
(CCN) Chair provided an update on the
certification pass/fail rate in an effort to
ensure we meet industry certification
standards and noted the change from four to
three possible choices for an answer to the
test. The Membership Committee Chair gave
us a positive membership report and all the
activities that they are undertaking. We were
updated on the progress of NAMSS PASS
and how far we have come. I encourage
everyone to participate in NAMSS PASS,
and if you want more information on
how to implement NAMSS PASS in your
facility, I invite you to register for one of the
upcoming NAMSS PASS training webinars.

I encourage everyone to participate in
NAMSS PASS, and if you want more
information on how to implement NAMSS
PASS in your facility, I invite you to register
for one of the upcoming NAMSS PASS
training webinars.

8

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SYNERGY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

NAMSS Government Relations staff provided
an update on the Ideal Credentialing
Standard (ICS) Roundtable report, the NPDB
Guidebook, and the ABMS MOC Standards
that NAMSS had submitted comments on.
NAMSS is also working on the Standard
Occupational Classification proposal to the
Office of Management and Budget. This
review process is a multi-year endeavor with
the final publication in 2018.
And, of course, we received updates on
the status of our work on preparing for
the NAMSS 38th Educational Conference
& Exhibition on Oct. 4-8, 2014, in New
Orleans. I hope each of you takes advantage
of the truly incredible opportunity it is
to attend this event. The conference is
a great opportunity to learn from area
experts and revered speakers in the many
facets of credentialing: legal, onboarding,
etc. And I certainly can't overstate the
value networking with your fellow MSPs
from around the country has to each of
your professions.
Finally, I would like to note that it is with
a very sad and heavy heart that we say
goodbye to a great colleague and friend,
Lynn Buchanan. Lynn was President of
NAMSS in 1998-1999. She was one of the
individuals who encouraged me to become
more involved in NAMSS. She would often
speak at state associations and share her
wealth of knowledge and experience in our
profession. We now have another shining
star looking down upon us.
Rest in peace, Lynn Buchanan.
John R. Pastrano, CPCS, CPMSM, BBA
http://www.namss.org/Education/NAMSS38thEducationalConferenceandExhibition.aspx http://www.namss.org/Education/NAMSS38thEducationalConferenceandExhibition.aspx http://www.namss.org/NAMSSPASS/NAMSSPASSTrainingWebinars.aspx
Synergy - September/October 2014

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