This week WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) joins organizations across the US in the annual observance of Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week, co-sponsored by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics and the Health Care Compliance Association.
“This is an opportunity to shine light on our institutional commitment to compliance and doing the right thing,” said Michele Serbenski, the medical school’s chief compliance officer and chair of the institution’s Compliance Committee. “Throughout the week we are communicating to the medical school community to raise awareness, recognize compliance excellence, and reinforce our Compliance Program.”
It is the policy of WMed to provide services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing its operations and consistent with the highest ethical standards. The Compliance Program applies to the entire medical school community and is defined in the Legal Compliance Program Policy Manual. The Compliance Program is directed by the chief compliance officer and the Compliance Committee who ensure that compliance policies are consistently followed. Annually, workplans are implemented by the Compliance Committee to support and maintain the effectiveness of the program.
This is a commitment to our learners, our patients, our community, those government agencies that regulate the institution, and to ourselves, Serbenski said.
WMed’s Compliance Program includes the seven elements of an effective program, but the Compliance Committee has implemented a new recognition component this year. The Compliance Excellence Award is given annually in October to an individual and a team who have demonstrated excellent compliance performance, made significant contributions, reduced compliance risk, and achieved compliance work plans.
This year WMed recognized Sarah Anderson, PRC, Senior Compensation Analyst (Individual Award) and the Data Analytics Services Unit (Team Award) which includes:
- Heidi Baker, Data Manager
- Morgan Brown, Research Navigator
- Austin Brubaker, Biostatistician II
- Daniel Frechette, Biostatistician I
- Kirsten Hickok, Biostatistician II
- Mara Jessup, Data Project Coordinator
- Theresa McGoff, Director
“All compliance programs define enforcement and disciplinary actions when something goes wrong, but we want to incentivize the positive and recognize those who demonstrate excellence,” Serbenski said. “This year’s recipients have made significant positive contributions, and we are so proud of them and their commitment to compliance at WMed.”