Submitted 12/04/2025 by Richard A. Gonzalez, Ph.D.

ACCREDITATION IS A STRUCTURED ACCOUNTING OF HOW A HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOOL OPERATES.
HOW APPLICANTS ARE SELECTED, HOW THE CURRICULUM IS PRESENTED, HOW THE STUDENTS RECEIVE AND PERFORM IN IT, AND ALL APPROPRIATE OUTCOMES AND MEASURES OF ITS FUNCTION. THE ARDUOUS ACCREDITATION PROCESS IS THE SINGLE FACTOR AFFECTING ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM. AS AN ANTHROPOLOGIST WORKING IN A MEDICAL SCHOOL, THIS PRESENTATION PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO MY ROLE, AND THE ROLE OF AN ANTHROPOLOGIST, DURING THE MULTI-YEAR ACCREDITATION PROCESS. AS A FACULTY MEMBER IN AN ALLOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE AND PARTICIPANT IN THE PROCESS, I WILL OUTLINE THE PRESCRIPTIVE NATURE OF ACCREDITATION AND THE IMPACT THIS PROCESS HAS ON THE GENERAL NATURE AND SUCCESS OF SUCH AN EDUCATION PROGRAM. UNDERSTANDING ACCREDITATION HELPS US UNPACK THE CULTURE AND VALUES HELD BY THE HEALTH PROFESSION AND HOW THESE VALUES ARE OPERATIONALIZED IN THE TRAINING OF PRACTITIONERS AND CARRIED INTO EVERYDAY PRACTICE.

Richard A. Gonzalez, Ph.D.

richardgo2@pcom.edu

https://csulb.zoom.us/j/87599588171 Meeting ID: 875 9958 8171