14. Expert Medical Consultants, Inc. Advantages of Non-Profit status in medico-legal research and education

1. A non-profit structure was necessary in order to apply for and be approved as a health-care entity. Designation of this company with this structure and with its primary mission being the review of healthcare related activities allows the company to exist with the same peer review protected status of its organization as hospitals and other healthcare entities.

   The non-profit structure allows other non-profit entities such as foundations and national medical specialty organizations to provide financial support to EMC because it is providing a benefit to all these organizations through its expert medical standards review process. The non-profit structure allows for financial support from foundations and other entities that require the non- profit structure for financial support. The non-profit structure along with the planned input of the Board of Governors will insure that the mission of the organization stays true to course and considers the input of various interested parties and balance to plaintiff and defendant issues as the company goes forward. Governmental, insurance and organizational research grants will be major funding sources.

2. The planned medico-legal education and re-certification of medical experts needs to be developed for all medical specialties.

A core educational process for EMC approved medical experts is an organizational positive as to scope of activities and increased membership. Re-certification is now required periodically in most medical specialties. Re-certification for state medical licenses is also required in all states every few years. EMC believes that it is time for the re-certification process to extend to expert medical witnesses as well because of their collective tremendous impact on our professions. Each of the national medical specialty organizations is being consulted. State medical associations are also being brought into the process for their input and representation on the Board of Governors. Consistent, fair and balanced peer review of the expert medical witness can be achieved via Expert Medical Consultants, Inc. resulting in benefits and savings in health care, the trial courts, patients and doctors.