CAAHEP Communiqué

August 2023

From the President

Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA

2023-2024 CAAHEP President

Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action in Admissions at Harvard and the University of North Carolina and the Department of Education Reaction

On June 20, 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the admissions processes at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina (UNC) that take into consideration race and nationality violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and must be discontinued. This article will highlight for the CAAHEP community key points of Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (consolidated with SFFA, Inc. v. University of North Carolina et al).

The information in this article also includes the Departments of Education and Justice issuance of a Dear Colleague Letter related to the referenced Supreme Court decision.

Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

The bases of the decision in these cases are the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Fourteenth Amendment

Section 1.

……

nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Title VI

No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Almost all American universities (including Harvard and the University of North Carolina) receive federal funding and therefore are covered by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Exceptions to Equal Protection

A long line of Supreme Court decisions has established the constitutional doctrine that exceptions to equal protection of the laws can be made only if there is: (1) a compelling government interest; and (2) the law or practice furthering this interest is narrowly tailored to do so. This standard of review has been given the name “strict scrutiny.” Consequently, the legal question addressed by the Court in this case is whether the admissions procedures of Harvard and UNC pass the “strict scrutiny” test and are permissible exceptions to the equal protection of the laws principle.

Drawing upon its previous decisions in cases involving college admissions, the Court propounded criteria that Harvard and UNC must meet for its admissions procedures to pass constitutional muster. The Court determined that Harvard and UNC met none of these criteria. The following is a summary of some of these criteria and the Court’s analysis of why these minority-conscious admissions procedures are violative of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI.

1. Results of the admission programs must be “sufficiently measurable to permit judicial review.”

The Court’s opinion detailed how Harvard and the University of North Carolina admissions programs did not engender “sufficiently measurable results” required by the strict scrutiny standard:

First, the interests they view as compelling cannot be subjected to meaningful judicial review. Harvard identifies the following educational benefits that it is pursuing: (1) “training future leaders in the public and private sectors”; (2) preparing graduates to “adapt to an increasingly pluralistic society”; (3) “better educating its students through diversity”; and (4) “producing new knowledge stemming from diverse outlooks.” UNC points to similar benefits, namely, “(1) promoting the robust exchange of ideas; (2) broadening and refining understanding; (3) fostering innovation and problem-solving; (4) preparing engaged and productive citizens and leaders; [and] (5) enhancing appreciation, respect, and empathy, cross-racial understanding, and breaking down stereotypes.” (citations omitted)

The Court pointed out the manner in which Harvard and UNC fell short of this requirement of strict scrutiny::

Although these are commendable goals, they are not sufficiently coherent for purposes of strict scrutiny. At the outset, it is unclear how courts are supposed to measure any of these goals. How is a court to know whether leaders have been adequately “train[ed]”; whether the exchange of ideas is “robust”; or whether “new knowledge” is being developed? Even if these goals could somehow be measured, moreover, how is a court to know when they have been reached, and when the perilous remedy of racial preferences may cease? There is no particular point at which there exists sufficient “innovation and problem-solving,” or students who are appropriately “engaged and productive.” (citations omitted)

The VALUE of ACCREDITATION

A Program Director's Point of View

by Sangeetha Gopalaseshan, DMS Program chair

Rockford Career College

The desire to provide quality education leads institutions to seek accreditation. As a program director, I believe that accreditation is synonymous with standards, quality measurement, guidelines, and academic excellence. The value of accreditation, particularly through CAAHEP, is paramount in the field of health science education. This pursuit of excellence benefits students, professionals, institutions, and the community as a whole.

The accreditation process through CAAHEP is an enlightening experience for institutions, requiring in-depth self-study of their programs. It helps faculty members and institution leaders gain a better understanding of the program's strengths and weaknesses. During our accreditation process, we conducted a thorough self-study of our health science program, which helped us understand our program’s strengths and allowed us to focus our time and efforts on other areas of our program. A long-running program can benefit from this process as well, as it forces the institution to look deeper into the program’s fallibility. By focusing on educational outcomes and conducting quality assessments, CAAHEP ensures program compliance and promotes high-quality education. This results in well-rounded medical professionals who contribute value to the field.

CAAHEP accreditation is a seal of approval that signifies academic excellence in health science education. It is sought after by ambitious and qualified individuals who are looking to advance their careers and professional development. By hiring knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors, an institution can provide an excellent learning experience to its students. Aspiring students seek out accredited schools or programs because they are guaranteed to receive a better chance of finding employment, and succeeding in their chosen career path. One of the most frequently asked questions by our prospective students was “Is your program accredited?” After CAAHEP accreditation, we have seen an increase in the number of applicants seeking admission to our program. Additionally, this has improved our placement and credentialing rates as students are eligible to take certification exams through ARDMS sixty days prior to graduation. This advantage for students and professionals helps the institution's reputation grow.

Non-accredited programs face challenges in securing clinical sites for student rotations. This is due to many hospitals preferring accredited programs with standardized curricula, making it easier for an accredited institution to partner with hospitals to enhance their students’ education. In the past, we had difficulty in partnering with hospitals as they wanted our program to be CAAHEP accredited. After accreditation, we were able to secure many clinical sites. As hands-on experience is a vital part of a sonography program, affiliation with new hospitals has led our students to have a more diversified learning experience. CAAHEP accreditation has also given us the means to offer continuing medical education credits through professional organizations to clinical preceptors who work with our students at clinical sites.

Accreditation holds immense value for students, guaranteeing them quality education and value for their investment. Moreover, accredited institutions support students throughout their academic journey and assist them in preparing for professional licensure. Our students are well prepared to sit for their certification exams closer to graduation; this has tremendously benefitted them as they are getting employment offers prior to graduation. Additionally, CAAHEP accreditation has given our students the opportunity to become members of professional organizations like SDMS, granting them access to scholarships, research grants, and valuable resources.

From a broader perspective, accreditation contributes to the establishment of excellence and inclusivity, promoting equal opportunities for all members of the community. Some of our students are working parents, single parents or self-supporting students and may require assistance from the school. Because of accreditation, our institution plays a vital role in serving the local community by offering an avenue to securing federal financial aid for students who may face financial hardships or geographical constraints. Furthermore, we are able to provide various opportunities to our students by preparing them to provide excellent healthcare, and enhancing the standard of care for patients and their families in the community.

Accreditation has helped our institution to meet and sustain our school’s mission of providing students with relevant, well-rounded occupational education, providing employers with well-prepared graduates, and serving our community partners.

In essence, CAAHEP accreditation is the lifeblood of a health science program, providing the necessary oxygen to foster growth, maintain standards, and improve the overall quality of education. Through accreditation, institutions, students, professionals, and communities can reap the benefits of academic excellence, ensuring a brighter future.

CAAHEP President Quoted in US News and World Report

US News & World Report recently published a valuable article on "Why College Accreditation Matters," which includes input from CAAHEP President Donald Balasa. President Balasa explains the role and importance of health professions' programmatic accreditation in the article.

Read the full article here: https://www.us news.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/why-college-accreditation-matters

CAAHEP Joins the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs has joined the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition (MPHLC) to support the MPHLC in identifying and implementing strategies that address the personnel shortage in medical and public health laboratory professionals.

The newly established Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition will work to draw attention to laboratory testing occupations and encourage individuals to consider careers in laboratory medicine, according to Bianca Frogner, Ph.D., Director of the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies (UW CHWS). “Laboratory professionals serve critical roles in our nation’s health systems as highlighted during this pandemic. These can be excellent career opportunities, but we need to ensure these opportunities are known and accessible for all individuals, and that we support career progression to ensure diversity across the skill spectrum,” Dr. Frogner says.

CAAHEP President Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA, notes that “CAAHEP’s mission to provide value to stakeholders by setting standards for quality assurance in health professions accreditation aligns well with the coalition’s purpose. CAAHEP looks forward to engaging with the coalition members and contributing to the achievement of its goal to increase the number of qualified members of the laboratory workforce.”

As the Coalition embarks on this new task, we welcome those interested in joining the effort to address laboratory personnel shortages. Learn more about the Coalition at www.MPHLcoalition.org.

CoAEMSP Announcing the Douglas K. York Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Paramedic education world lost a giant in 2022 when Doug York passed away. He taught thousands of future Paramedics at the University of Iowa Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center.

Doug dedicated his life to the service of patients and students, mentoring new educators, including as a frequent CoAEMSP site visitor, while always working towards educational excellence. He also served as a CAAHEP Commissioner and Board Member.

To honor Doug’s life and continue his work, CoAEMSP has established the Douglas K. York Endowed Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for program directors committed to high paramedic educational standards to attend ACCREDITCON.

There are two options for making donations:

Check made payable to CoAEMSP.

Designate in the memo section of the check “Douglas K. York Endowed Scholarship Fund.”

Mail check via traceable carrier to:

Ray Tax Group

ATTN: Douglas K. York Endowed Scholarship Fund

600 Gulf Freeway, Suite 226

Texas City, TX 77591

PayPal: Credit and debit card donations may be made by scanning the QR Code to the upper left or by clicking here.

Two Accreditation Firsts

Congratulations to the following programs on being the first to become CAAHEP accredited in the profession.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Ascension St Vincent's Riverside in Jacksonville, Florida, is the first with the Breast concentration to be CAAHEP accredited.

Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, is the first institution to have a CAAHEP-accredited Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant program.

2023 Accreditation Workshop

The 2023 CAAHEP Accreditation Workshop was held July 21-22, at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Minnesota, and the evaluations received indicate it was a great success!

Among the top-rated sessions, attendees enjoyed the ability to network with Committee on Accreditation representatives present, the session on "Who is Who, Understanding The Roles of Organizations Involved In Health Professions Education" with Elise Scanlon and Gina Scarboro, and the keynote address on "Outcomes Assessment at the Program Level," with Marilee Ludvik."

Among the breakout session offered, the highest ranked included " “Who’s Got The Crystal Ball?” Long-Range “Strategic Planning” for Success," "How To Tell The Story: Tips For Composing A Self-study To Demonstrate Compliance," and "Translating Experience to the Classroom: Evidence-Based Teaching Practices for New Educators."

What people are saying about the CAAHEP Accreditation Workshop:

"Probably one of the best conferences I have attended all around!"
"Learned a lot at the Q & A offered with our CoA. Thankful for the networking opportunities."
"The Q&A Session with the CoAs was excellent and very helpful."
" I was able to network with others in my field which was great!"

"Exceeded my expectations! Wonderful presentation, venue, and food! Everyone so welcoming and accommodating. The specific CoA meeting was also extremely helpful and a perfect way to cap off the weekend!"
"An exceptionally well-hosted and informative workshop...a great inaugural Accreditation Workshop experience and the best CAAHEP event yet. Exceptionally planning and execution by CAAHEP staff!"

"Fantastic opportunity to meet face-to-face with people I had been meeting virtually with for years, thank you!"
"Best meeting I have ever attended."
"I enjoyed this workshop and found it to be very informative."

A big part of the Accreditation Workshop's success comes from the support CAAHEP received from its sponsors and workshop exhibitors. We appreciate the following companies and representatives who attended the Accreditation Workshop as sponsors an exhibitors.

Thank you to the Platinum Sponsors

Accreditation Workshop Exhibitors

2024 CAAHEP Accreditation Workshop

Save the date!

July 19-20, 2024

Location to be announced

Accreditation Actions

Each profession in the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) system has a Committee on Accreditation (CoA) that consists of experts in the profession that are responsible for reviewing programs and making appropriate recommendations for accreditation to CAAHEP. CAAHEP reviews recommendations received from its CoAs in each profession, assures due process was followed and takes final action on an accreditation status.

CAAHEP took the following actions at its July 19, 2023 meeting. Actions are identified by profession, action taken, date of the next comprehensive evaluation, and whether a progress report to improve program compliance is required. In some cases, the concentration and/or degree are also specified. Where available, a link to each program's website is provided below. To view a copy of the most recent accreditation award letter for a program, which includes information about the accreditation decision, visit the program’s listing on the Find an Accredited Program section of the CAAHEP Website.

The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2024. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.

Perfusion

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2028. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Cytotechnology

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Ascension St Vincent's Riverside, Jacksonville, FL (Abdominal-Extended)

Ascension St Vincent's Riverside, Jacksonville, FL (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Ascension St Vincent's Riverside, Jacksonville, FL (Vascular)

Delta College, University Center, MI (Abdominal-Extended)

Delta College, University Center, MI (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro, GA (Abdominal-Extended)

Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro, GA (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro, GA (Adult Cardiac)

Polk State College, Winter Haven, FL (Abdominal-Extended)

Polk State College, Winter Haven, FL (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, OK (Abdominal-Extended)

Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, OK (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, OK (Vascular)

Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic

Des Moines Area Community College-Ankeny Campus, Ankeny, IA

Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Gateway Community & Technical College, Edgewood, KY

RWJBH Mobile Health, Jersey City, NJ

Stark State College, North Canton, OH

Orthotist/Prosthetist

Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2030. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Cardiovascular Technology

Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA (Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Baccalaureate)

Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA (Adult Echocardiography, Associate)

Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA (Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Associate)

Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA (Noninvasive Vascular Study, Associate)

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2033. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Allen College, Waterloo, IA (Abdominal-Extended)

Allen College, Waterloo, IA (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Collins Career Technical Center, Chesapeake, OH (Adult Cardiac)

Jackson College, Jackson, MI (Adult Cardiac)

Jackson College, Jackson, MI (Vascular)

Misericordia University, Dallas, PA (Abdominal-Extended)

Misericordia University, Dallas, PA (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

The following programs were found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The programs were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2028.

Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic

American Medical Academy, Miami, FL

Ivy Tech Community College-Evansville, Evansville, IN

Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL

Lakeland Community College, Kirtland, OH

LowCountry Regional EMS Council, Walterboro, SC

The following program was found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The program was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2030.

Recreational Therapy

Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted initial accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2028. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Cardiovascular Technology

Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital-Plano, Plano, TX (Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Certificate)

Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH (Adult Echocardiography, Certificate)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Ascension St Vincent's Riverside, Jacksonville, FL (Breast)

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, WI (Adult Cardiac)

Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic

College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, NC

McDowell Technical Community College, Marion, NC

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Paramedic Program, San Diego, CA

Scott County EMS, Scottsburg, IN

Travis County Emergency Services District #2, Pflugerville, TX

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted initial accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2031. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Art Therapy

Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

The following program was found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The program was granted initial accreditation with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2028.

Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant

Oakland University, Rochester, MI

The following program was placed on probationary accreditation, with one or more Standards requiring critical attention and timely resolution to bring the program into compliance with the Standards and Guidelines, and a progress report required to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA).

Medical Assisting

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Valdosta, GA (Diploma)

Acknowledgments

The following statuses do not require action by the CAAHEP Board of Directors and were acknowledged by the Board at its July 19, 2023 meeting.

The program sponsors requested voluntary withdrawal of CAAHEP accreditation for the following programs:

Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic

Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, IL

City College-Gainesville, Gainesville, FL

City College-Miami, Miami, FL

First Response EME/Canton Fire Consortium for EMS Education, Stoughton, MA

Medical Assisting

Massasoit Community College, Takoma Park, MD

Pedorthics

Francis Tuttle Technical Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Polysomnographic Technology

Montgomery College, Takoma Park, MD

Surgical Technology

Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute, Milpitas, CA

The following programs held inactive status; students may not be enrolled in the program during a period of inactive status:

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Alvin Community College, Alvin, TX (Pediatric Cardiac)

Cox College, Springfield, MO (Adult Cardiac)

Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic

Abilene Fire Department, Abilene, TX

Arkansas Northeastern College, Blytheville, AR

Black River Technical College, Pocahontas, AR

Garden City Community College, Garden City, KS

St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, Indianapolis, IN

Trinity Valley Community College, Terrell, TX

Medical Assisting

North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician

St. Petersburg College, Pinellas Park, FL

Surgical Technology

Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu, HI

Lanier Technical College-Gainesville, Gainesville, GA

Suffolk County Community College, Sayville, NY

West Georgia Technical College Waco, GA

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775-7709

W: www.caahep.org P: 727-210-2350 E: mail@caahep.org

Website About Accreditation News Events Contact