Karen A. Wientjes, PT, DPT, MPH, CWS® |
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On behalf of everyone at ABWM, I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year! If you are like me, 2021 has already meant weathering snow and a few other “storms” in just these first couple weeks. I am not one to make resolutions. Instead, I tend to make a list of things I would like to do or have happen in the year ahead. And then I send those intentions out to the universe. One of my professional goals with ABWM is to enhance our communication and network of certified practitioners. We have such a diverse group of practitioners, all focused on providing quality care for our patients, but I believe we can be stronger. The ABWM is working hard to make sure it is easy to access and network with one another. Remember, you can always use the ABWM Find a Specialist feature on the website to find fellow certified clinicians or perhaps help a patient access a provider closer to them.
Here at ABWM, we are committed to continually improving the certification experience for our prospective candidates and our certified Associates and Diplomates. To support this, we are rolling out a new and improved test center experience for our candidates, in partnership with Pearson VUE. You can read more about this exciting announcement and what it means for our candidates in the next section of the newsletter. In addition, we will also be making some improvements to our application and certification management processes in the months ahead, so stay turned for more information on those!
Especially right now, the wounds we heal may be much deeper than skin level. With each touch and every person who entrusts us with their care, we have the opportunity to come together and serve a wider community. Each interaction invites us to listen, be fully present, and offer our skills in the best way we can. We all need to stay connected and feel connected until we can be connected, in person, once again. As always, we are working hard to strengthen those connections. We hope to hear from you on social media as you prepare for your exam, play along with wound trivia, or share your success stories from the field. We look forward to creating opportunities to interact at conferences this year, in whatever format they may be.
If you are contemplating sitting for your exam, there is no time like the present. There are plenty of resources available on the ABWM Foundation website to set yourself up for a successful and productive year ahead, in particular their series of free Continuing Education videos, which you can find here. Keep finding ways to push yourself a little further, and it is sure to pay off. Your patients will notice. Your colleagues will observe a difference. And best of all, you will see the change within yourself. May this year bring you much health and happiness in both your personal and professional life.
“You have power over your mind- not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”- Marcus Aurelius.
Karen Wientjes, PT, DPT, CWS®
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ABWM Announces New Testing Partner, Pearson VUE |
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ABWM is excited to announce an improved testing experience for our CWCA®, CWS® and CWSP® exam candidates, thanks to our new partnership with Pearson VUE, the global leader in computer-based testing. Here's what you can expect:
- Easy and flexible exam scheduling
- Improved test center security
- Increased access to test centers
- Improved customer service at test centers and online
Candidates will be able to pre-register for their ABWM certification or re-certification exams online beginning February 15th, and schedule exams at Pearson VUE test centers beginning March 1st. In the meantime, ABWM is still accepting first-time, re-test and recertification applications. More details on how and where to schedule your exam will be provided on application approval.
ABWM would like to assure candidates that the only change taking place is in relation to our exam vendor. The format and content of the CWCA®, CWS® and CWSP® exams will remain unchanged.
ABWM is committed to continually improving our candidate's certification experience, and we look forward to partnering with Pearson VUE to provide an enhanced test center experience.
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Volunteer Opportunity:
ABWM Exam Committee
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ABWM is currently seeking volunteers to participate on the ABWM Exam Committee. The ABWM Exam Committee is comprised of subject matter experts (SME) who meet two times each year to develop new exam items and review current items for the next iteration of the certification exam. The SMEs work in designation specific sub groups (CWCA, CWS, CWSP).
Please note that in order to participate on the Exam Committee, you must be able to commit to attending four virtual/in-person meetings per year. The first meeting of the Exam Committee is a training meeting and will take place on February 23rd 2021. Participation in the Exam Committee satisfies your six hours of continuing education.
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Congratulations to everyone who was recently certified! The ABWM would like to recognize all newly certified Associates and Diplomates who received their CWCA®, CWS®, or CWSP® credentials from December 1st 2020 to February 5th 2021.
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Renew Your Certification for 2021 |
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The ABWM would like to remind all currently certified Associates and Diplomates that the 2021 certification renewal season ends on March 31st.
The renewal fee is $150.00. We also require 6 hours of wound care related continuing education units to be entered in your ABWM account online. These CEUs must have been completed during the 2020 calendar year. Both the CEUs and the payment must received in order to complete your renewal.
This year, we have extended our annual renewal deadline from January 31st to March 31st, to provide additional flexibility due to COVID-19. As ABWM staff continue to work from home, we ask that Associates and Diplomates pay their renewal fees online, as there may be delays in check receipt and processing.
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American Board of Wound Management
1800 M Street NW, Suite 400S
Washington, DC 20036
Email: info@abwmcertified.org
Phone: 202-457-8408
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