Organizations Supporting and Advancing Hyperbaric Medicine

The following is a selected list of associations offering hyperbaric facility accreditation, professional certification, charitable giving and grant funding, collaborative research opportunities, and continuing medical education. Detailed profiles of select institutions provide more information on their mission, resources, and staff.

Medical Societies and Boards

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) »

An international nonprofit organization serving some 2,400 members in 50 countries, the UHMS is the chief accrediting body and the primary source of scientific information for diving and hyperbaric medicine physiology. The Society also hosts an annual Scientific Meeting, publishes a peer-reviewed journal, provides grant funding for focused research, and coordinates continuing medical and professional education and certification.

American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)
American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)

The ABEM and ABPM are the chief certifying bodies for physicians specializing in undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Both organizations are members of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Credentials issued through the ABEM and ABPM are Board Certifications.

American Board of Wound Healing (ABWH) »

The American Board of Wound Healing (ABWH) provides certification of competency in hyperbaric medicine and wound care for physicians and technologists. The credentials issued by the ABWH are considered Certificates of Added Qualification.

American College of Hyperbaric Medicine (ACHM) »

The ACHM is a professional organization working to develop an image of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a distinct medical specialty, often requiring full-time practice. The College has trained and credentialed some 3,500 members and works to establish best practices and quality assurance standards for hyperbaric medicine.

National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT)

The NBDHMT is the chief certifying body for hyperbaric medical technologists, including Divers Medic Technologists (DMT), Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (CHT), and Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurses (CHRN).

Professional Associations

American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA)

The APWCA is a nonprofit medical association welcoming all specialties involved in treating nonhealing wounds. The Association provides ACHM-recognized physician and technician certification programs in conjunction with the Council for Medical Education and Testing (CMET).

Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC)

The preeminent multidisciplinary organization for wound care, AAWC is a nonprofit association open to everyone involved in wound care. Its mission is to spread awareness by promoting excellence in education, clinical practice, public policy, and research.

Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA)

The BNA is a professional organization that promotes and maintains the status and standards of practice in hyperbaric nursing.

Charitable, Educational, and Research Foundations

Baromedical Research Foundation

Established in 1988 and headquartered at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, the Baromedical Research Foundation is a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to the scientific advancement of hyperbaric medicine. The Foundation has been a leader in conducting prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials in radiation injury and other HBOT indications.

Divers Alert Network (DAN)

Affiliated with the Duke University Medical Center and supported by the world’s largest association of recreational divers, DAN helps divers in need with medical emergency assistance and promotes diving safety through research, education, products and services. Since 1980 the Network has operated the first and only 24-hour emergency hotline for injured divers.

International Hyperbarics Association

The IHA is a small but active educational and charitable organization focused on the needs of the hyperbaric community and the study of off-label HBOT indications.

International Hyperbaric Medical Association (IHMA)
and Foundation (IHMF)

These nonprofit membership (IHMA) and charitable (IHMF) organizations are largely focused on HBOT research and political action for injured soldiers and military veterans.

Oxygen Research Foundation

The Oxygen Research Foundation is a newly formed (2008) not-for-profit organization committed to HBOT research, education, and public awareness.

Richard Neubauer Research Foundation

This nonprofit organization is focused on the application of HBOT for neurologic and related disorders, especially the prevailing off-label and investigational diseases and conditions. The Foundation is the lead sponsor of the annual International Symposium.

Restorix Foundation

Created in 2010 to advance hyperbaric oxygen medical practices and technology through research, education and community care, the Restorix Foundation provides financial support to clinically approved medical research conducted by the Restorix Research Institute and other organizations. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Rubicon Foundation

Rubicon is a nonprofit organization undertaking projects that contribute to the interdependent dynamic between research, exploration, science, and education; improve the available resources for students, professionals and the general public; and preserve the valuable natural resources that are vital to future endeavors. Rubicon is building a large, freely accessible digital research repository that already numbers over 7,600 references to the scientific literature in diving, aviation, and environmental research.
Access the Rubicon Foundation Archive

Government Agencies and Institutions

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

A division of the US Department of Commerce, the NOAA conducts advanced courses in diving and hyperbaric medicine in conjunction with the UHMS.

 
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Updated: 27 Feb 2012 06:25 PM
Created: 23 May 2010 05:12 PM
By: About the authors »