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From the 2025 2nd Quarter Pressure

John S. Peters, MBA, FACHE

Executive Director's Report: 2nd Qtr 2025

Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia, and the 2025 joint Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) Annual Scientific Meeting.

Atlanta boasts a rich history in aerospace and undersea exploration, making it a fitting host for this year’s ASM. Here are some historical highlights:

Aerospace Legacy in Atlanta

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Originating as Candler Field in 1925, this airport evolved into a major aviation hub. During World War II, it served as Atlanta Army Air Field, a critical site for military aircraft servicing and pilot training.
  • Delta Air Lines: Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta began operations in the 1920s and has grown into one of the world's largest airlines, significantly contributing to the city's aerospace prominence.
  • Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI): Established in 1934, GTRI has been instrumental in aerospace research, including defense technologies and systems engineering, supporting both military and civilian aerospace advancements.
  • Air Force Plant 6: Located in nearby Marietta, this facility was pivotal during World War II for producing B-29 Superfortress bombers. Post-war, it continued to serve aerospace manufacturing needs and is now operated by Lockheed Martin.

Undersea Exploration Connections

  • Lake Lanier's Submerged History: North of Atlanta, Lake Lanier covers the remnants of several communities submerged during its creation in the 1950s. The lake's depths have intrigued divers and historians exploring its underwater past.
  • Deep-Sea Coral Systems: Off Georgia's coast lies the world's largest known deep-sea coral system, discovered on the Blake Plateau. This ecosystem, though not directly in Atlanta, highlights the state's undersea research significance.
  • University of Georgia's Marine Programs: The University of Georgia conducts marine research and educational programs, contributing to the understanding and conservation of undersea environments.
  • Georgia Aquarium: The Georgia Aquarium, located in downtown Atlanta, is one of the largest aquariums in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Opened in 2005, it houses over 11 million gallons of water and thousands of animals across hundreds of species. Notably, it is the only aquarium outside of Asia to feature whale sharks, the largest fish species on the planet.

Atlanta's intertwined histories of aviation innovation and undersea exploration underscore its relevance as a venue for discussions on advancements in aerospace and hyperbaric medicine.

We expect an incredible meeting for both organizations. While we know there are significant budgetary challenges for many of our peers, we still hope to host over 1500 attendees.

If you want to chat during the ASM week, find or text me.  

~

Last month, the UHMS membership voted to approve a change to its Constitution and Bylaws. Specifically, we added Vision and Values statements to our Mission Statement, and what we term our VVM.

We did this to increase the depth, direction, and identity of the UHMS. Each component of the VVM element plays a distinct yet interconnected role in shaping strategy, culture, and public trust.  

The UHMS vision is to be the global leader in advancing the science, technology, safety, and clinical practice of undersea and hyperbaric medicine, fostering collaboration, innovation, and education to improve patient outcomes, enhance operational safety, and expand the frontiers of hyperbaric medicine.

The vision underscores our commitment to leading undersea and hyperbaric medicine (UHM) advancements.  

UHMS Core Values are summarized below.

  1. Patient Safety & Quality Care
    UHMS prioritizes patient and provider safety by enforcing evidence-based standards and best practices across all hyperbaric medicine activities.
  2. Scientific Excellence & Innovation
    – The society drives progress through rigorous research, scientific inquiry, and the integration of innovative technologies and treatments.
  3. Education, Professional Development, & Certification
    – UHMS fosters lifelong learning by offering robust educational programs and certifications to advance professional expertise across the field.
  4. Collaboration & Interdisciplinary Cooperation
    – It promotes global partnerships among clinicians, researchers, industry, and regulators to elevate care and expand scientific understanding.
  5. Ethical Integrity & Advocacy
    – UHMS upholds high ethical standards and actively advocates for sound healthcare policy, keeping members informed and engaged in regulatory issues.
  6. Accreditation & Best Practices
    – The society ensures hyperbaric facility excellence by maintaining rigorous accreditation standards that safeguard patients and verify clinical competence.
  7. Public Awareness & Community Engagement
    – UHMS raises awareness about hyperbaric  medicine’s value through outreach and education, promoting informed decisions and improved access to care.

To view the UHMS Constitution and Bylaws, click the link About the UHMS - Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society.

The Importance of Certification

Certification is a hallmark of professional experience, competency, and commitment to best practices. Whether you are a physician, nurse, or technician, obtaining and maintaining your certification in hyperbaric medicine demonstrates your expertise and adherence to the highest standards of patient care. UHMS strongly encourages physicians in our field to pursue certification through ABPM/ABEM subspecialty board certification or PATH CAQ and NPPs to achieve PATH CAE; we also promote all nurses who participate in the care of hyperbaric patients to become Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurses (CHRN), and technicians to be certified as Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (CHT) or Certified Hyperbaric Specialists (CHS). These credentials not only enhance your professional standing but also elevate the credibility of our specialty within the broader medical community.

Please review our position statement on Certification Matters: UHMS POSITION STATEMENT.

Facility Accreditation: A Commitment to Excellence

Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation by UHMS remains the gold standard for ensuring safety, quality, and adherence to clinical best practices. Accredited facilities demonstrate their commitment to patient safety, operational excellence, and compliance with industry guidelines. If your facility is not yet accredited, I strongly encourage you to explore the process. Not only does accreditation improve patient trust and regulatory compliance, but it also serves as a proactive approach to risk management and liability reduction.

Maintaining Safety Diligence in Hyperbaric Systems

Safety is the foundation of everything we do in hyperbaric medicine. The risks associated with hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) demand unwavering diligence in maintaining equipment, conducting regular safety drills, and ensuring proper staff training. UHMS provides comprehensive guidelines and resources to help facilities uphold the highest safety standards, including routine inspections, emergency preparedness protocols, and compliance with NFPA 99 and ASME PVHO-1 standards. I urge all members to prioritize safety in their daily operations and take advantage of UHMS educational offerings on hyperbaric safety.

The Value of UHMS Membership

Your membership in UHMS is more than just an affiliation—it is an investment in your professional growth and the advancement of hyperbaric medicine. As a UHMS member, you gain access to cutting-edge research, clinical practice guidelines, educational opportunities, networking events, and advocacy efforts aimed at shaping the future of our specialty. Additionally, membership provides exclusive discounts on conferences, workshops, and certification programs that support your career development.

The UHMS tent is wide open, so please come in and join us to make our specialty vibrant and viable for generations to come!

UHMS Finances

I am pleased to report that UHMS's financial position remains strong.

Jan-Apr 2025 PL
Actual Budget
Income $511,843 $453,054
Expense $415,464 $387,533
Net $96,379 $65,521

Our balance sheet remains healthy, with operating, savings, and investment accounts continuing to hover at near-all-time highs.

Member Benefits

Remember, UHMS members receive three free CE/CME credits upon joining or renewing. This benefit represents an immediate $40 savings for Associate members and $60 for Regular members annually. 

Associate Member Town Hall

Members are invited to attend the UHMS Associate Council town hall meeting on the second Thursday of every quarter, where invited speakers present on relevant topics that apply to our specialty.

Corporate Partners

If you are a UHMS Corporate Partner, please attend our monthly Corporate Partner Town Hall meeting series. These are held on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 12 PM and are intended to be an open forum for discussing the challenges and successes your businesses and practices are experiencing and to create momentum and collaboration where appropriate.    

If your organization wants to educate the UHMS membership about the care provided or the goods and services offered, consider joining our Corporate Partnership Program. See https://www.uhms.org/corporate-memberships.html.  

MEDFAQs

The UHMS offers its version of "ask the experts." MEDFAQs can be found at the following URL: https://www.uhms.org/resources/medfaqs-frequently-asked-questions-faq.html, It is a valuable tool for our membership.

If you are familiar with MEDFAQs, check back, as new Q&As are posted regularly.

Research

The UHMS Research Committee continues to be very active. We hope to announce some good news in the new year on the IRB front, where members of our community can come to the UHMS for the Institutional Review Board's needs.

We are soliciting donations from our members for two research initiatives. One is the Continuous Glucose Monitor study (https://www.uhms.org/cgm-hyperbaric-oxygen-study), and the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment at Dartmouth (MRHBO2) continues seeking funds for free hospital membership. The MRHBO2 is funded entirely via grants, not by the registry's participating hospitals - https://www.uhms.org/donate-to-the-multicenter-registry-for-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment.html.

Remember that donations to the UHMS Funds for Research and Policy Advancement are tax-deductible. For more information, check out the UHMS website –  https://www.uhms.org/funding.html.   

QUARC

To better understand the field's challenges, log in and visit the QUARC page – https://www.uhms.org/resources/quarc.html. Here, you will find impending legislation and other relevant policies on the provision and limitations of HBO2 coverage and the UHMS's responses and guidance.

The chairs of QUARC request that you please let us know as soon as possible if there are any unusual denials or challenges with physicians gaining access to insurance panels for HBO2 services—jpeters@uhms.org.

UHM

If you are a UHMS member, we are happy to announce a new search feature for previous issues and articles from UHM/UBR - https://www.uhms.org/publications/uhm-journal/download-uhm-journal-pdfs.html. Currently, the feature works with keywords.

Looking Ahead

This year, UHMS remains committed to expanding educational initiatives, strengthening industry partnerships, and advocating for policy advancements that benefit our field. We encourage you to engage with us, participate in upcoming events, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue that shapes hyperbaric and undersea medicine.

Thank you for being an integral part of our society. Your expertise, dedication, and continued engagement make a difference in advancing the science and practice of hyperbaric medicine.

If you have a suggestion or comment on how we can better serve you, please email me at jpeters@uhms.org or call 561-776-6110 extension 100.

Sincerely,
John Peters
Executive Director
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society