The Forum for Regional Clinical Education (FORCE) Inc., is a non-profit corporation created in April 2002 to provide ongoing health education free of commercial bias yet with practically applicable information for both patients and practitioners. We began our program services within a few months of our accreditation as a non-profit (501c3) corporation by the United States Internal Revenue Service. World-renowned faculty members have provided stellar presentations during 27 educational programs, on topics in fields with rapidly emerging scientific developments (e.g., Hepatitis C, HIV, depression, coronary syndromes, etc), chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, obesity, addiction), and public health (bio-terrorism, addictions, medication adherence, and medication resistance).

The FORCE Inc. strives to perform its tasks independently, forthrightly, and scientifically, without interference by political, social, or venture capital agendas. We believe in accomplishing our mission with excellence, and at a minimal cost to our supporters. We believe in minimizing administrative expenses, and maximizing program services. We believe in listening to and fulfilling the needs of healthcare providers as well as patients. We believe our work defines us more than our corporate affiliation. And, we recognize that scientific truth is only that set of facts that has heretofore survived scientific scrutiny and probabilistic theory, that the whole truth includes the hypotheses that require on-going testing. We have the conviction that education about one truth without considering other possibilities confers a pervasive bias and masked perspective.

The FORCE Inc. recognizes the futility of uni-dimensional and unilaterally-sponsored educational programs. Our educational programs are prompt, present scientific material utilizing a multi-media format (visual, audio, and print) to allow different individuals to learn in their preferred manner, and are financially supported by several private companies. Our programs review the complexities of clinical management of patients with various disorders, and include updates in the co-management of general medical problems that often co-exist (e.g., anemia, asthma, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, osteoporosis, dyslipidemias, depression). As needed, our programs address special populations that are often omitted in general medical education: e.g., substance users, HIV patients, incarcerated persons, and patients with viral hepatitis. Additionally, topics are presented in various formats: didactic, interactive, clinico-pathologic case conference, and debate.

Our programs are planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), and also comply with recent standards established by the American Medical Association and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Research Association for participation of pharmaceutical corporations in CME programs. We utilize the guidelines for educational objectives developed by the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), and our programs meet the training needs specified by HIV Medicine Association

The common thread amongst this group of persons is a dedication to the conviction that the mission of The FORCE Inc. can be accomplished while maintaining its unique humble character. Our staff is lean, and comprises of a President, Secretary, Director of Information Technology, Director of Business and evelopment, and Board of Directors. We all donate our time, energies, expertise, and loyalty. Our Board of Directors meets quarterly, has both men and women, and represents a diverse cultural and professional background; it actively participates in the governance as well implementation of our program services

Our audience comprises of health care professionals and clients who wish to learn. Gradually, at a pace determined by our resources, we have opened our programs to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists. We plan in the short term to establish programs for nurses, social workers, health educators, and patients

The increasing attendance at our Clinical Seminar Series, and the fact that our audience repeatedly evaluated our programs as excellent and without bias, are testament to our prominence as a rigorous, highly respected educational provider. Most importantly, our programs have facilitated the building of referral networks amongst our audience participants—to maximize the availability of specialty clinical services for patients in need.

Our financial support has come from various private corporations, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry. Corporate donors know fully well that their contributions do not fund any single activity in its entirety, and it is the pooled resources that are utilized to implement our programs. Their commitment to education has been no less noble than that of academic centers or government: afterall, each of these entities has a bias. In fact, private corporations have neither requested nor had any influence in our educational programs; and our curricula are devised and conducted independently, where-in CME-accreditation is obtained.

We have the benefit of amazingly well-accomplished faculty, primarily from New York, and some from other parts of the nation. As a private non-profit organization not based at one of these institutions, there is no hesitation for tapping the brain trust of diverse institutions. Our first program on January 29, 2003 featured presentations by Dr Douglas Dieterich (whose role in education about viral hepatitis is unsurpassed), and Dr Jay Dobkin (who has steered the Columbia University AIDS Center to immense success). They set the high standards for subsequent programs, and the presenters who followed have sustained that standard

My MedChart is the first step in improving Medication Adherence-which has been increasing recognized as a crucial determinant in treatment efficacy of a many disease states. The concept intersects all aspects of medicine as well as tenets of public health. Adherence to medications for some diseases (e.g., HIV, TB, pneumonia, hepatitis) has an immediate impact on recovering (or dying) from that disease, whereas it has a slow, cumulative impact on the longevity of an individual with other diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes). Despite the increasing availability of more and more medicines, there has been no parallel increase in simple patient education—to allow individuals to know (in a snapshot)