Integrated Health CBN Certification Committee

CBN Certification Council

Chair: Karen Flanders, MSN ARNP CBN FASMBS-IH
CoChair: Sharon Hillgartner, RN CBN FASMBS-IH
Immediate Past Chair: Bill Gourash, PhD, CRNP, RN, CBN FASMBS-IH
Accreditation Subcommittee Leader: Shirley Bearden, RN CBN FASMBS-IH
Exam Development Subcommittee Leader: Heidi Bednarchuk, MSN APRN CNS CBN
Practice Analysis Subcommittee Leader: Barbara Cooper, RN CBN
Professional Outreach Subcommittee Leader: Veronica Cook, RN MSN CBN
Recertification Subcommittee Leader: Ron Permenter, MSN RN CBN
Member at Large: Lana Fontana, RN MSN CBN
Member at Large: Erin Thompson, MPH RD CSOWM LD CDE
IHLC Liaison: Aimee Rothe, BSN RN CBN
BOD Liaison: Pearl Ma, MD FACS ABOM DABS-FPMS
Public Member: Alex Miranda, MA ICE-CCP CPTM

CBN Certification Committee

Kellie Armstrong, MSN RN FASMBS-IH CBN
Shirley Bearden, RN CBN FASMBS-IH
Heidi Bednarchuk, MSN APRN CNS CBN
Meghan Bell, RN CBN
Mara Berman, RN BSN MBA CNOR CBN
Angie Bunkley, RN CBN
Jamie Carr, BSN RN CBN FASMBS-IH
Kimberly Cole, RN CBN
Veronica Cook, RN MSN CBN
Barbara M. Cooper, RN, CBN
Lana Fontana, RN MSN CBN
Bill Gourash, PhD CRNP RN CBN FASMBS-IH
Karen Groller, PhD RN CV-BC CMSRN
Cheryl Holsworth, RN BSN MSA CBN
Tracy Martinez, BSN RN CBN
Monique McLaurin, MSN FNP-BC CBN
Anne Miranda, RN BSN CBN
Marcela Montemayor, RN CBN
Angela Munro, RN BSN CBN
Linda Neumann-Potash, RN CBN
Ron Permenter, MSN RN CBN
Carmela Pontillo, RN MSN CBN
Aimee Rothe, BSN RN CBN
Melissa Rowan, RN BSN CBN
Mary Ellen Sparks, RN CBN
Judy Tsurtani, MSN RN CBN

ASMBS Staff Partner

Morgan Matlock, MBA

Charge:

The CBN Certification Committee advances the specialty of metabolic and bariatric nursing and supports a fair, valid, and reliable certification program that awards the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) credential. Through these efforts, the committee supports public protection by helping to ensure that certified nurses demonstrate the competence required to provide safe and effective care.

Description:

The CBN Certification Committee supports the CBN certification program through activities related to practice analysis, examination development, recertification, outreach, and program quality. Working under the supervision of the CBN Certification Council, the Committee helps maintain standards for specialty practice and supports processes that are consistent, impartial, and aligned with national accreditation expectations.

The committee carries out this work through subcommittees focused on key program functions, ensuring the ongoing integrity, relevance, and improvement of the CBN credential.

Objectives:

• Support the validity and integrity of the CBN credential by promoting processes that assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for competent practice.
• Promote continuous professional development and lifelong learning among nurses caring for patients with obesity and metabolic and bariatric surgery patients
• Advance recognition of metabolic and bariatric nursing as a specialized area of professional practice
• Support core certification activities, including practice analysis, examination development and administration, recertification, professional outreach, and quality improvement
• Promote the value of CBN certification to nurses, employers, patients, and the public as a marker of competence, professionalism, and commitment to quality care.

Goals:

• Continuously review and improve certification governance, policies, procedures, and operations to align with best practices and accreditation standards
• Maintain and strengthen examination and recertification processes to ensure they are fair, valid, reliable, and reflective of current practice
• Prepare for and pursue national accreditation for the CBN credential
• Streamline and improve processes for nurses to apply for, earn, and maintain the CBN credential.
• Support subcommittees responsible for essential activities to ensure effective program operations
• Increase awareness of the value of CBN certification among nurses, employers, healthcare organizations, the public and other key stakeholders
• Strengthen collaboration with professional organizations and stakeholders to advance metabolic and bariatric nursing practice

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