ACNA

Overview

Futurists predict a bright future for neuromusculoskeletal services. Rehabilitation, orthopedics and neurosciences will continue to grow well into the 1990’s and beyond.

Growth prospects, health reform and outcomes management are issues that will be paramount for rehabilitation. The leading trends for rehabilitation in the future include consolidation, managed care contracting, HMO rehab programs, outcomes management, case management, databases, treatment protocol, subacute rehabilitation, and fraud and referral issues.

No service line offers more diverse opportunities or challenges than the orthopedic program. In terms of orthopedic procedures, strong growth is anticipated throughout the 1990’s in spinal work, knees, hip revisions, small joints, oncology, sports medicine, occupational medicine, and coupling of biomechanical and biological technology. Specialization growth areas include adult reconstructive surgery, foot and ankle surgery, pediatric orthopedics, bone transplants. arthroscopy, trauma. arthritis and rheumatism.

Congress approved the 1990’s as the Decade of the Brain, establishing a national commitment to the neuroscience field. Nearly 48 million Americans, about 20% of the population, are affected by a range of some 650 disorders. The National Institutes of Health have identified brain-related research as the key area of medical exploration and advance during the next decade. Brain mapping, genetic engineering and the technology explosion are only some of the more evident areas of change. The role of treatment and diagnosis in this field are likely to advance just as rapidly in the future.

In the changing healthcare environment, it is imperative that administrators of these services work collaboratively and communicate on issues such as capitation, managed care, cost containment, bundled services, global pricing, integrated networks, vertical integration, and a variety of other issues affecting our fields.

Membership Eligibility and Advancement Opportunities

In order to qualify for membership in the ACNA, the applicant must have a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent in education and experience, and be currently employed as a manager of professionals who are providing neuromusculoskeletal healthcare. There are no dues for ACNA membership; it is included in your AAMA dues. Nominee dues are $110.00 annually. Member and Fellows dues are $145.00 annually.

After four years as a Member, advancement to Fellow in AAMA will occur upon completion of a Fellowship project or indication of other professional achievements.

AAMA is the first professional health association granting the prestigious status of Diplomate in Healthcare Administration. Diplomate status can be earned by Academy Fellows, not as a new level, but as evidence of meeting specified criteria of excellence in the healthcare field and in service to the Academy.

Benefits of Belonging to ACNA

I. The American College of Neuromusculoskeletal Administrators is a major voice in America that speaks on behalf of the rehabilitation/orthopedic/neuroscience administrators and managers throughout healthcare. You have an opportunity to participate in the development of the management field of rehabilitation/orthopedic/neuroscience administration. It provides major professional identification within the healthcare industry in neuromusculoskeletal management for you.

2. For those healthcare leaders that are currently serving in a management position in the neuromusculoskeletal field, you are eligible to join the American Academy of Medical Administrators and simultaneously be a member of the national chapter of the academy entitled the American College of Neuromusculoskeletal Administrators. You will receive all the benefits that the Academy provides, plus special benefits tailor-made to the membership of ACNA.

3. One of the most important benefits is credentialing. As you advance from Nominee to Member, and then to Fellow, you receive verified prominence in the healthcare field. ACNA college members can advance to Fellow in AAMA using the criteria established.

4. Your membership in a professional healthcare association provides many opportunities for you to relate to other disciplines and levels of management. These valuable local, regional, and national contacts afford you networking benefits to advance your current performance as a rehabilitation/orthopedic/neuroscience administrator, and also in the upward occupational mobility of your career. Examples of such networking include your presence at the AAMA Annual Conference and Convocation, national ACNA management conferences, national educational conferences directed by the American Academy of Medical Administrators, and local meetings in your state or region.

5. You receive a 40% tuition discount for any local, regional, or national education program conducted by the American College of Neuromusculoskeletal Administrators or the American Academy of Medical Administrators. As you advance in your career and develop special knowledge and experience that would be of value to your peers, you will have the opportunity to be a speaker at these programs. This provides advantages for your exposure through your networking experiences. Contact hours for continuing education are provided to all affiliates through the AAMA Research & Educational Foundation, Inc.

6. You have a large array of opportunities to be as professionally active as you wish within ACNA and AAMA through your participation as a Board member, committee chairperson, committee member, AAMA Regional Director, AAMA State Director and numerous other official opportunities. You can be a leader in the organization of a regional or state educational conference which will allow for the exchange of information among members so that they may develop solutions in dealing with the management concerns of rehabilitation/orthopedics/neuroscience.

7. You will receive, as part of your membership dues, the bimonthly publication of the Academy entitled the Executive, which highlights local and national activities, presents articles of timely importance and regularly features affiliates and their achievements. You will be encouraged to prepare articles for submission to this publication which creates further opportunities for your present and future career aspirations. Editorial Board memberships are available for ACNA members.

8. The American Academy of Medical Administrators recognizes Academy affiliates and members of all its chapters by having an outstanding system of awards which are presented at the AAMA Annual Conference and Convocation. In addition, awards will be given at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuromusculoskeletal Administrators.

9. An employment referral program is available to you, not only for positions in rehabilitation/orthopedic/neuroscience management, but in all healthcare management and executive opportunities.

10. The American Academy of Medical Administrators is the only professional healthcare association that welcomes as members healthcare leaders in all functional areas and at all levels of management from department head through chief executive officer. Among our 4,000 affiliates are chief executive officers and other senior healthcare leaders, including national chapter members in cardiology, healthcare facility planning, information, oncology, managed care and others.

Role of ACNA

• Foster the professional identification within the healthcare industry of those individuals who are in rehabilitation, orthopedics, and neuroscience management positions.
• Foster a formal and informal climate of information exchange among members so that they may develop solutions in dealing with the management concerns of rehabilitation, orthopedics, and neuroscience.
• Take an active role in the development of standards for quality neuromusculoskeletal healthcare delivery.
• Encourage and support mechanisms for review of training programs for neuromusculoskeletal healthcare.
• Function as a significant source of advice to organizations concerning rehabilitation, orthopedic, and neuroscience healthcare management.

Philosophy of ACNA

We believe health services management should provide an environment for delivering, with dignity and human concern, the optimum level of patient care. We believe ACNA must maintain a high level of social consciousness and involvement with the economic aspect of neuromusculoskeletal healthcare delivery in the interest of providers, consumers, and the general public.

We take pride in being a national chapter of the American Academy of Medical Administrators and we believe that service to our membership is our central focus and we should provide services that meet the individual needs of our affiliates.

The mission of the American College of Neuromusculoskeletal Administrators is to develop innovative concepts in the field of rehabilitation/orthopedics/ neuroscience administration and to promote the advancement of its members in knowledge, professional standing, and personal achievements through continuing education and research in neuromusculoskeletal management.