Portland, Ore.

The American Medical Association has appointed an Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine faculty member to its committee charged with accrediting medical schools throughout the United States.

Richard Allen, M.D., assistant dean for graduate medical education and adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology, began a three-year term on the AMA's Liaison Committee on Medical Education July 1.

The committee reviews and sanctions all medical schools in the United States. It's comprised of appointees from the Chicago-based AMA and the Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C.

"I hope to learn a lot about the standards medical schools need to meet to be in compliance, and help OHSU in areas where it might be short," Allen said. The appointment means OHSU has "representation of well-qualified people on a national committee."

He added the committee helps "assure the public that physicians are good, competent people" who are concerned about the quality of medicine they are delivering and the safety of their patients.

"We're not perfect, so we'll keep working to get as close to perfect as we can," Allen said.

Allen has almost 20 years of accreditation experience. He recently completed 18 years with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, serving as its chairman from 1996 to 1997 and on its executive committee from 1996 to 2001. He also was chairman of the AMA's Council on Medical Education from 2000 to 2001.

Allen earned his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1965, his master's degree in educational psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1961 and his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Oregon in 1958. He completed his residency in ob-gyn at Portland's Emanuel Hospital in 1969.

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