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Committee on CME Accreditation

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) recognizes the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) as an accreditor of intrastate continuing medical education (CME) providers. The Committee on CME Accreditation oversees IMS' accreditation program. Its purpose is to assure ready access to high-quality medical educational experiences in order to raise the standards of medical care for Iowans, enhance professional development of Iowa physicians and facilitate compliance with Iowa relicensing requirements. This purpose is achieved through periodic surveys leading to reaccreditation of currently accredited CME providers, and surveys of new provider applicants.

Committee Meetings:

One Meeting Each Winter (Approx. 3 hours)

County & Specialty Policy Council

The County & Specialty Society Policy Council serves as the formal policy connection between IMS and the societies, chapters, and associations in the state that represent the interest of physicians and physicians-in-training. Committee members discuss policies priorities of their respective organizations and provide feedback on policy issues under consideration by IMS. Committee members are appointed by the leaders of county and state specialty societies, the medical student sections at Des Moines University and the University of Iowa, and the Iowa Medical Group Management Association.

Committee Meetings: 
One Meeting Each Fall (Approx. 3 hours)

Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee works to ensure that IMS reflects and promotes shared values for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The committee provides recommendations on education to increase DEI awareness & performance; data collection and analysis to better guide organizational & statewide DEI efforts; better integration of DEI concepts in workforce recruitment & retention efforts; organizational & statewide policy changes to better support DEI efforts; and opportunities to engage with community partners on DEI efforts.

Committee Meetings:

Quarterly Meetings (Approx. 2 Hours)

Committee on Law & Ethics

The Committee on Law & Ethics is responsible for addressing medical practice issues with significant legal or ethical implications for Iowa physicians, serving as a liaison on behalf of the Iowa Medical Society to the Iowa State Bar Association, serving as a liaison with the Iowa Board of Medicine on issues impacting medical ethics, and addressing issues referred to the Committee by the IMS Policy Forum or IMS Board of Directors. Committee members are nominated by the leaders of the state specialty societies, and the leaders of the medical student sections at Des Moines University and the University of Iowa.

Committee Meetings:
One Meeting Each Fall (Approx. 3 hours)

Committee on Legislation

The IMS Committee on Legislation seeks to support legislation in the interest of public health and scientific medicine, endeavoring to secure the best results for the whole people, done with the dignity becoming a great profession. This committee annually establishes recommendations for the IMS Legislative Agenda, which are vetted through the other IMS policy committees and approved by the IMS Board of Directors; the committee also provides regular guidance on new policy and IMS advocacy strategy. Committee representatives are appointed by the IMS President.

Committee Meetings:

Two Meetings Each Fall (Approx. 3 hours)

• Weekly Friday Conference Calls During Session (Noon Hour)

Maternal Mortality Review Committee

The Maternal Mortality Review Committee is a joint effort between IMS and the Iowa Department of Public Health to ensure a thorough, confidential review of all deaths occurring while a woman is pregnant or within one year after delivery. Composed of experts in obstetric medicine and maternal mortality, the committee’s review is a component of the state’s overall efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Committee Meetings:

One Meeting Annually (Approx. 6 Hours)

Committee on Medical Services

The Committee on Medical Services is responsible for issues relating to the provision of medical services under commercial insurance systems; medical services provided to Medicaid, Medicaid, and CHIP patients; medical services provided to veterans of the Armed Services of the United States; and the interrelations of hospital and medical services. Committee members are nominated by the leaders of the state specialty societies, and the leaders of the medical student sections at Des Moines University and the University of Iowa.

Committee Meetings: 
One Meeting Each Fall (Approx. 3 hours)

Committee on Physician Workforce

The IMS Committee on Physician Workforce serves to guide the medical community in efforts to improve physician training, recruitment, and retention efforts in the state. The committee is charged with identifying and studying emerging issues impacting the workforce needs of physicians and practices in Iowa. This work includes review of policy barriers and opportunities for success in workforce efforts, as well as potential supports and services IMS might provide to individual physicians and practices across the state. This committee provides recommendations for policy changes to the IMS Committee on Legislation and recommendations for additional supports and services to the IMS board of Directors.

Committee Meetings:

Biannual Meetings (Approx. 2 Hours)

Iowa Medical Political Action Committee

The Iowa Medical Political Action Committee exists to strive for the improvement of government by encouraging physicians and others to take a more active and effective role in governmental and political affairs. IMPAC works encourage physicians to understand the nature and actions of their government, important political issues, and the records of office holders and candidates for elective office. IMPAC provides endorsements and financial support to state-level candidates and provides recommendations to AMPAC for support to federal-level Iowa candidates.

Committee Meetings:

Election Years: Two Meetings/Candidate Interviews Each Fall (Approx. 3 hours)

Non-Election Years: One Meeting Each Fall (Approx. 2 Hours)

Committee on Programming

The Programming Committee serves to guide development and execution of IMS in-person and virtual educational offerings. The group provides insight into the educational needs of the IMS members and critically evaluates potential content and external speakers to ensure they benefit the physicians, residents, and medical students of Iowa.

Committee Meetings:

Quarterly Meetings (Approx. 2 Hours)

Committee on Sports Medicine

The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) Committee on Sports Medicine serves as a resource for setting medical policies with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU).

Committee Meetings:

Biannual Meetings (Approx. 2 hours)