CRC Symposium Spotlight: Carol Cairns

Carol S. Cairns, CPMSM, CPCS, has participated in the development of the medical staff services profession for more than 40 years. In 1996, she founded Plainfield, Illinois–based PRO-CON, a consulting firm specializing in credentialing, privileging, medical staff organization operations, and survey preparation. In 1991, Cairns became clinical faculty for The Joint Commission by collaborating in the development of an educational program on credentialing and privileging medical staff and allied health professionals. From 1996 to 2006, Cairns served the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a surveyor in the certification program for credentials verification organizations. Cairns was invited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide input into the development of the medical staff and allied health professional standards for the 2005 Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program Manual.

She is an advisory consultant and frequent presenter with The Greeley Company, Inc. in Danvers, Massachusetts. A recognized expert in the field, Cairns has been a faculty member with the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) since 1990. She presents frequently for NAMSS and other healthcare entities at numerous state and national seminars on subjects such as basic and advanced credentialing and privileging, core privileging, AHP credentialing, CMS’ Conditions of Participation, and the standards of—and survey preparation for—The Joint Commission, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP).

At this year's CRC Symposium, she will talk about some of the recent changes to accreditors' standards, how to utilize professional references, and how to incorporate physician assistants and nurse practitioners into your medical staff. For more information about the Symposium, click here.