The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine (ACHM) announces its decision to open membership to include all US healthcare providers. This change will be effective August 1, 2008.

"Among hyperbaric and wound care associations, our organization focuses on clinical and operational challenges of US healthcare providers. We are careful not to overextend ourselves on international matters,” explained Bob Bartlett, MD, ACHM President. “We are also unique in that we will have one level of membership for any type of healthcare provider, which facilitates input, leadership and expertise at levels of the hyperbaric and wound care community."

In the past, the ACHM membership was exclusive to Doctors of Medicine (MD) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Examples of those now included are Doctors of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Registered Nurses (RN), Nurse Practitioners (NP), Physical Therapists (PT), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Physician Assistants (PA), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy or wound care technicians.

"Our association has been exclusive to physicians and we felt this limited our perspective on the industry as a whole,” stated Jeffrey Niezgoda, MD, Vice President of the ACHM. “By opening our membership we are able to tap into the resources of a variety of healthcare providers practicing wound care and hyperbaric medicine and will benefit from a broad perspective."

"Opening membership will have nothing but positive implications for the ACHM,” stated Kathy Nelson, RN, ACHRN, CCRC, Research Coordinator of the ACHM. "Making it a level playing field is a great move by the organization because it reinforces our mission to provide an association that meets the needs of the entire hyperbaric team as well as the wound care industry."