To Help Clear Up Rumors

I want to update everyone on what exactly has happened with USESOM and what the expectations are moving forward. The information I'm going to present comes from a long conversation I had with Ilene and this is with her full blessing (assuming I don't forget some parts and if I do my apologies). To start I'll outline what happened on Statia, discuss the difference between recognition and accreditation, clear up confusion about our charter and finally close with where we stand and what you can do to help.

What happened on Statia

• The school has been in existence for over 14 years on Statia with a charter granted in 1999 which is still valid and recognized by SXM.
• Almost the entire time on Statia, due to various circumstances including attempted hostile takeovers, litigation and administrative issues, the school found itself breaking even in operating costs. Thus there was no money leftover to expand.
• The government of Statia was incorporated into Netherlands and Netherlands has a very rigid system of accreditation which is much more convoluted compared to a straightforward accreditation like ACCM.
• Statia's island government worked in tandem with the school and lobbied Netherlands to grant USESOM NVAO accreditation. However, due to NVAO's rigid requirements, it became apparent that without access to large sums of money, getting NVAO would prove difficult.
• The Netherlands insisted that USESOM gain accreditation in order to be recognized by them. USESOM asked to be recognized only, accreditation was not an issue (more on this below).
• Because of Netherlands refusal to work with the island's government or USESOM, USESOM was left with no choice but to relocate.
• A new dean was hired who implemented plans to move the school to SXM. However, shortly after moving the school to SXM, he resigned.
• SXM invited USESOM to move to their island and that is why out of a list of islands, SMX was chosen.

Recognition on Statia vs Accreditation

• The school does not need to be accredited by the host country in order for students to be certified by ECMFG or the school to be listed on IMED. All FAIMER requires is that a medical school is recognized by its host country as an educational entity. USESOM was never accredited but graduated physicians in the past because it was recognized by Statia and granted a charter.
• Netherlands would not budge despite Statia's local government and school officials lobbying them for recognition. Despite USESOM's long history on the island, Netherlands was simply not interested.

Charter

• The USESOM charter, according to USESOM lawyers, is still valid. SXM accepted the 1999 charter despite Statia's government having changed over to Netherlands. Therefore, the issue of a charter expiring is not the problem.
• The IMED listing USESOM now has on SXM will not be expiring in December. It became valid on September 2013 so it makes no sense for it to expire within 1 term (December 2013).

Where We Stand

• As of right now, the school is seeking recognition from SXM's government. Although the Minister of Education has signed off on IMED so students can sit for the USMLE, we need recognition so that those who are at the end of the program can get licensed as physicians. Without recognition from the host government, graduating physicians cannot be licensed.
• The school has given the government of SXM a deadline to respond by Monday. The hope is that they recognize the school, even if on a temporary basis, so that students in the program right now can finish and become licensed.
• Existing students can still take the USMLE if they need to because of the IMED listing with FAIMER.

What You Can Do

• You can contact the Minister of Education on SXM and tell them your story. How recognition affects you, why SXM should grant USESOM recognition and why you attended USESOM (e.g. given a second chance). Basically let them know that your career depends on SXM recognizing the school on their island and implore them to do so. If you wish to know who to contact and their e-mail address, PM me and I'll pass it along.

If you have any questions, I'll try answering them to the best of my knowledge.


Thanks.