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LETTERS Healthcare Policy I was so pleased to see the excerpt of the interview with Gregg Margolis by Jennifer Goodwin, "Health- care Policy Development," in the January 2012 issue of EMS World Magazine. Kudos to Dr. Margolis for his continued efforts to improve EMS nationwide. His focus on the policy side of EMS enhancement and development is a testament to the promising future for EMS as a true component of healthcare. As a growing number of healthcare professionals recognize paramedicine as an integral part of health- care delivery in the future, it is incumbent upon us to WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! ensure its growth is positive and well-directed. For that to happen, we need to follow in Dr. Margolis' footsteps and become active voices in health policy formulation on behalf of EMS and health- care in general. K eith A. Monosky, PhD, MPM, EMT-P P rogram Director, EMS Paramedicine Program, Central Washington Univ., Ellensburg, WA Education Woes In response to Jonathan Mullins' letter "Recertifi ca- tion Woes" in the September 2011 issue, I need to make a correction. Mr. Mullins wrote that physician assis- tants do not have to recertify. E-mail letters to the editor to: editor@emsworld.com Letters may be edited for clarity and to conform to space requirements. As a PA, I do have to endure a recertifi cation process to maintain my PA license. After passing my initial board exam, I have to acquire 100 hours of CME every two years and then retake my board exam every six years. I usually have to attend a fi ve-day board exam review course to make sure I review knowledge areas I do not frequently use while working in emergency medicine. I would also like to comment that of the many "refresher" courses I have taken since 1983, I found most of them lacking in any updated information. Things have improved with better access to videos via the Internet and vastly improved research being conducted by true prehospital profes- sionals, but what has not improved is funding for true continuing education for active paramedics. While a large share of resources has been allocated to the entry educational process, less has been applied to keeping paramedics updated and adding to their knowledge and skills base. I do agree that updating our 30-year-old model of CE needs to occur, but Mr. Mullins is not alone when it comes to maintaining your certifi cation—some of us get to do it twice! M ark Ross, AS, BS, PA-C, NREMT-P Rochester, MN Take the best in EMS education Prehospital Trauma Life Support The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) offers the best quality EMS continuing education programs. Recognized as the world's premier program for prehospi- tal emergency trauma care, PHTLS offers a comprehensive evidence-based approach, promoting critical thinking and addressing multi-system trauma for the best patient care. PHTLS was developed in cooperation with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. NEW! PHTLS is available as a classroom-based course and a hybrid course with both online and classroom instruction — both for 16 hours of CECBEMS credit and a PHTLS card. All NAEMT continuing education courses are CECBEMS accredited and meet NREMT recerti⇒ cation requirements. Learn more at www.naemt.org, education@naemt.org or 1-800-346-2368. For More Information Circle 21 on Reader Service Card 12 FEBRUARY 2012 | EMSWORLD.com