What to Expect

Continuing Education Credits

Through the Physician's Executive MBA at the Harbert College of Business, you gain access to membership with the Southern Medical Association (SMA). Learn more below.

• More About the SMA

  Auburn University is proud to partner with the Southern Medical Association (SMA) to offer healthcare-focused education. The Washington, D.C., residency focuses on emerging issues in U.S. health care policy, and the international residency focuses on comparative healthcare systems. 

  Accreditation Statement

  These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Southern Medical Association and Auburn University.  The Southern Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education.

  The SMA mission is to improve quality of patient care through multidisciplinary, interprofessional education. This involves physician-directed educational and leadership activities that include diverse teams of healthcare professionals interacting, collaborating, and learning for the purpose of improving the quality of patient care.

  PEMBA students receive a one-year membership to the SMA. This allows students to register for AirMed travel for the trip. It also provides a subscription to the Southern Medical Journal, free online CME, discounts on Dell® computer equipment as well as other member benefits. Membership is also in place for their Washington, D.C., policy trip.

  Please visit sma.org for more information about the SMA.

Travel Experiences

The PEMBA program includes two travel residencies built into the curriculum to enrich students’ perspectives on future alternatives for healthcare delivery and practice. You will journey to Washington, D.C., to focus on emerging issues in U.S. healthcare policy. Our international residency provides an in-depth look at comparative healthcare systems. These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Southern Medical Association (SMA) and Auburn University.  

During the travel residencies, lodging and some meals are covered by a portion of your tuition.

• Comparative Healthcare Systems - Sample Itinerary

  Sample International Experience Itinerary

  The following itinerary is a sample from previous cohort trip to London. 

  Monday 

  • 7:00-7:50 am
    Breakfast Service
  • 7:50-8:00 am
    Welcome and Introductory Announcements
  • 8:00-9:00 am
    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
  • 9:00-10:00 am
    Operational & Strategic Issues Facing the English NHS Part 1
  • 10:00-10:15 am
    Break
  • 10:15-11:15 am
    Operational & Strategic Issues Facing the English NHS Part 2
  • 11:15 am-12:15 pm
    A "Day in the Life": The Role of the General Practitioner"
  • 12:15-1:30 pm
    Lunch with the Faculty at the Hotel and Adjourn

   

  Tuesday

  • 7:00-7:45 am
    Breakfast Service
  • 7:45 am
    Depart for King's College
  • 9:00-9:30 am
    Arrive and Introductions
  • 9:30 am
    "A Day in the Life": The Role of a Specialist
  • 10:30 am
    Q&A Session: The Role of the Assistant Medical Director
  • 11:15 am
    Break
  • 11:15-11:30 am
    Leadership and Transformation in the NHS
  • 11:30-11:45 am
    Managing Operations in an NHS Trust
  • 11:45 am-12:00 pm
    Finance in the NHS
  • 12:00-12:30 pm
    Clinical Governance in the NHS/Q&A
  • 12:30-1:15 pm
    Lunch
  • 1:15-2:30 pm
    Tours
  • 2:45 pm
    Load Bus and Depart for the Hotel

   

  Wednesday

  • 7:00-9:00 am
    Breakfast Service
  • 10:00 am
    Depart London for Surrey
  • 11:30 am
    Arrive in Surrey
  • 11:30 am-12:30 pm
    Lunch
  • 1:00-1:45 pm
    Introductions and Integrated Care--Surrey Heartlands
  • 1:45 2:15 pm
    Primary Care in Surrey Heartlands
  • 2:15-2:25 pm
    Wider Determinants of Health
  • 2:25-2:50 pm
    Quality Improvement: Redesigning Outpatient Care
  • 2:50 pm
    Q&A
  • 3:15-4:15 pm
    Tours
  • 4:15-4:30 pm
    Final Questions and Closing
  • 4:30 pm
    Load Bus and Depart for London
  • 6:00 pm
    Arrive in London

   

  Thursday

  • 7:15-8:00 am
    Breakfast Service
  • 8:00-9:00 am
    Depart for London Imperial College
  • 8:20 am
    Arrive at London Imperial College
  • 8:30-11:00 am
    Presentation and Tour
  • 11:00 am
    Return to the Hotel
  • 11:30am-12:45 pm
    Lunch at the Hotel
  • 12:45 pm
    Load Bus and Depart for the Wellington Hospital
  • 1:30-4:30 pm
    Wellington Hospital: Presentation and Tour
  • 4:30 pm
    Return to the Hotel

   

  Friday

  • 7:15-8:00 am
    Breakfast Service
  • 8:00-9:00 am
    Private Insurance
  • 9:00-10:00 am
    British Medical Association
  • 10:00-10:15 am
    Break
  • 10:15-11:00 am
    Governmental Perspective on Health Care
  • 11:00 am -12:00 pm
    Wrap Up
  • 12:00-12:45 pm
    Lunch at the Hotel