ARHP Wins Second National Award for Innovative Program: New Developments in Contraception

2/2/2002

From: Sean C. Prichard of The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP), 202-466-3825; e-mail: communications@arhp.org; Web Site: http://www.arhp.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP), a Washington-based education association for physicians, nurse practitioners, and other advance practice clinicians, has won the 2001 Gold Circle Award in recognition of its national program, New Developments in Contraception: Counseling and Insertion Training Featuring the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System (NDIC). The program is sponsored with the Ithaca Center for Postgraduate Medical Education, a continuing medical education company based in Ithaca, New York. The Gold Circle Award is a national awards competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

The New Developments in Contraception program won in the Education Curriculum/Coordinated Seminar Series category. The award acknowledges excellence in a coordinated series of education programs focusing on a single subject such a curriculum leading to a credential or certificate. ARHP's NDIC was recognized out of more than 747 entries in this year's awards program.

NDIC featured the development and implementation of 153 accredited continuing medical education (CME) sessions in 2001. Over 4,300 health care providers participated in the nationwide program. Twenty additional sessions are planned for 2002. The NDIC curriculum features an overview of contraceptive methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the past two years, followed by hands-on insertion training for the new hormone-based Intrauterine System (IUS). The New Developments in Contraception program was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Berlex Laboratories, Inc.

"We are very pleased that NDIC has been recognized with the Gold Circle Award," says Wayne C. Shields, ARHP president and CEO. "This program has been a highly effective tool, educating thousands of health care providers about today's new contraceptive options. The associated training sessions also helped clinicians fine-tune their IUS insertion skills -- a key step toward ensuring a successful experience for women who choose this new method. The NDIC program helps ARHP meet our goal of raising awareness about as many safe, effective contraceptive methods as possible, and enhancing communication between health care providers and their patients."

Program content was developed by a highly-respected panel of experts in reproductive health, co-chaired by Dr. David Grimes, vice president for biomedical affairs, Family Health International, and Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, associate professor, Department of Ob/Gyn at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. In 2001, a faculty of 100 clinical professionals was trained to present the curriculum.

In addition to provider educational sessions, New Developments in Contraception features a patient education brochure entitled Birth Control: Comparing the Choices, and a clinician's handbook, videotape, and a special issue of ARHP's CME monograph, Clinical Proceedings. Most of the materials will be posted on ARHP's Web site at http://www.arhp.org/newdev.htm.

This is the second national award NDIC has won. In June 2001, NDIC was the recipient of the Associations Advance America (AAA) award. The prestigious AAA award recognizes associations that propel America forward with pioneering projects in education, skills training, and social innovation.

------ The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) is an multidisciplinary association composed of professionals who provide reproductive health services or education, conduct reproductive health research, or influence reproductive health policy. ARHP, founded in 1963, has a mission to educate health care professionals, public policy makers, and the public. The organization fosters research and advocacy to promote reproductive health. ARHP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). For more information contact ARHP at 202-466-3825, send an email message to arhp@arhp.org, or visit ARHP's Web site at www.arhp.org.

The Ithaca Center for Postgraduate Medical Education is an independent medical education company accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). The purpose of the Ithaca center is to provide independent, quality continuing education for physicians and other health care professionals on a national level. The Ithaca Center offers products and services, which include: audio and video lectures; print audio, and video self-study courses; internet-based CME; journal-based CME; and meeting management expertise in local, regional, national, and international conferences. For more information call 607-257-5860 or visit http://www.ithacacenter.com.