President’s Column – Q3 2025
As we move through this year, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) remains focused on strengthening the foundations of our specialty while preparing for future opportunities. Over the past quarter, we have engaged in vital discussions about patient safety, ethical standards, and the role of UHMS accreditation in ensuring that our field remains physician-led and held to the highest standards of care. Recent hyperbaric treatment tragedies at non-accredited centers highlight the urgency of this mission, and I am proud of how our Society has responded with thoughtful guidance, advocacy, and a renewed commitment to setting the benchmark for safe hyperbaric practice.
We have also worked diligently to address evolving issues in credentialing and training. After thorough discussions, the Executive Committee unanimously supported revisions to our accreditation criteria, making them more inclusive of UHM fellowship training, UHMS Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) holders, and Fellows of the Society, while moving away from rigid board certification requirements that have excluded qualified programs and leaders in our history. This balance maintains rigor while acknowledging the diverse educational pathways that strengthen our specialty. Our commitment remains clear: to recognize excellence in education, training, and leadership while keeping the bar high for patient care and safety.
Equally important has been our ongoing collaboration with colleagues across related disciplines. The joint scientific meeting with the Aerospace Medical Association was a great success, and we look forward to building on this six-year partnership with new educational and research opportunities. Our Society is also exploring ways to expand advanced training for our associate members and to refine educational programs for physicians, nurses, and technologists, ensuring that we continue to support all members of the hyperbaric team and the UHMS.
Beyond our internal initiatives, UHMS has strengthened its outreach to external organizations and government stakeholders. We are actively engaged with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on safety standards for hyperbaric facilities, and we are preparing materials for Senator Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to highlight both recent safety concerns and a roadmap for the future of hyperbaric medicine. Additionally, we are initiating conversations with Dr. Mehmet Oz regarding potential pathways for CMS to consider expanded hyperbaric safety regulations and recognition of acceptable indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment. These partnerships are essential in advancing both safety and accessibility for our patients and for ensuring that hyperbaric medicine has a strong, respected voice in broader healthcare policy.
Looking ahead, I encourage each of you to stay engaged—whether through committee work, research, or local outreach—because our strength lies in collective effort. Together, we are advancing hyperbaric medicine not only by addressing today’s challenges but also by shaping a future where safe, evidence-based treatment is accessible to more patients in need. Thank you for your dedication, contributions, and trust in the Society.
Owen Joseph O’Neill, MD, MPH, FUHM
UHMS President