Executive Director's Report: 4th Qtr 2025

Warm greetings to you and your families this holiday season. As we close out the year, we extend our sincere wishes for a joyful holiday and a healthy, fulfilling New Year.

This past quarter, and indeed this past year, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) has remained unwavering in executing our mission and advancing our vision to be the global leader in undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Our singular focus remains on elevating safety, science, education, and clinical practice across our specialty. The UHMS exists so that every member benefits when we operate at the tip of the spear: setting standards, creating knowledge, and advocating for excellence.

The specialty of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine is grounded in science-driven guidance, robust education, and a discipline-wide commitment to safety. This year, our collective resolve was tested by the senseless deaths of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper and 43-year-old Walter Foxcroft, which underscore the real consequences when codes, standards, and safe practices are not followed. Such events reinforce why our work to require all hyperbaric systems in the United States to meet recognized codes and standards is non-negotiable. UHMS will continue to champion the adoption and enforcement of these standards globally, because safer chambers and informed providers save lives.

We have strengthened accreditation pathways, expanded evidence-based education, and continued to lead scientific exchange. These efforts benefit every member and uphold UHMS as the indispensable specialty society for undersea and hyperbaric medicine.

To New Heights

Over the next ten years, UHMS will redefine its global impact, expanding clinical frontiers, advancing translational science, and integrating with precision medicine. Our deepening partnership with the Aerospace Medical Association will fuel innovation at the intersection of hyperbarics, aviation, and space medicine. Together, we’re building a future where our specialty leads in resilience, recovery, and performance, from the depths of the ocean to the edge of space. The next decade belongs to us.

Corporate Partner Appreciation

Our Corporate Partners play a vital role in sustaining UHMS’s mission and enabling innovation across our field. We sincerely appreciate their partnership and commitment to safety, research, and education:

Diamond Corporate Partner:
• Fink Engineering
• Northwell Health‑Huntington Hospital

Platinum Corporate Partners:
• Best Publishing Company
• Mayo Clinic Hyperbaric & Altitude Med. Program
• Restorix Health Inc.
• Sechrist Industries, Inc.

Gold Corporate Partners:
• Aurora Health Care
• International ATMO, Inc.
• Life Support Technologies Inc.
• Regenerative and Hyperbaric Medicine

Silver Corporate Partners:
• Healogics, Inc
• Innovative Healing Systems
• Kendall South Medical Center Inc.
• Oxycare Ltd.
• Perry Baromedical Corporation
• Precision Health Care, Inc.
• Shared Health Services Inc.
• The Ottawa Hospital
• The Wound Treatment Center, LLC
• Wesley Hyperbaric
• Wound Care Education Partners

Annual Scientific Meeting Update

UHMS and AsMA have made significant progress in planning 2026’s meeting. Nearly all plenary and keynote speakers have been identified, and the abstract submission deadline is approaching on January 4^th.

Please note that early-bird registration begins January 1^st. This is an excellent opportunity to save on tuition.

Check the ASM website for more information on registration and hotel accommodations: About Us - AsMA/UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting.

We’re also excited to announce that we’ve secured annual scientific meeting locations and dates through 2034. With this schedule, we’ve negotiated 100% per diem hotel rates. This means a guaranteed lower cost for our attendees.

The Importance of Certification

Certification is a hallmark of professional experience, competency, and commitment to best practices. Whether you are a physician, nurse, or technician, obtaining and maintaining your certification in hyperbaric medicine demonstrates your expertise and adherence to the highest standards of patient care. UHMS strongly encourages physicians in our field to pursue certification through ABPM/ABEM subspecialty board certification or PATH CAQ and NPPs to achieve PATH CAE; we also promote all nurses who participate in the care of hyperbaric patients to become Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurses (CHRN) program, and technicians to be certified as Certified Hyperbaric Technologists (CHT) or Certified Hyperbaric Specialists (CHS). These credentials not only enhance your professional standing but also elevate the credibility of our specialty within the broader medical community.

Please review our position statement on Certification Matters: UHMS POSITION STATEMENT.

Facility Accreditation: A Commitment to Excellence

UHMS Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation remains the gold standard for ensuring safety, quality, and adherence to clinical best practices. Accredited facilities demonstrate their commitment to patient safety, operational excellence, and compliance with industry guidelines. If your facility is not yet accredited, I strongly encourage you to explore the process. Not only does accreditation improve patient trust and regulatory compliance, but it also serves as a proactive approach to risk management and liability reduction.

Maintaining Safety Diligence in Hyperbaric Systems

Safety is the foundation of everything we do in hyperbaric medicine. The risks associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO₂) demand unwavering diligence in maintaining equipment, conducting regular safety drills, and ensuring proper staff training. UHMS provides comprehensive guidelines and resources to help facilities uphold the highest safety standards, including routine inspections, emergency preparedness protocols, and compliance with NFPA 99 and ASME PVHO-1 standards. I urge all members to prioritize safety in their daily operations and take advantage of UHMS educational offerings on hyperbaric safety.

The Value of UHMS Membership

Your membership in UHMS is more than just an affiliation—it is an investment in your professional growth and the advancement of hyperbaric medicine. As a UHMS member, you gain access to cutting-edge research, clinical practice guidelines, educational opportunities, networking events, and advocacy efforts that aim to shape the future of our specialty. Additionally, membership provides exclusive discounts on conferences, workshops, and certification programs that support your career development.

The UHMS tent is wide open, so please come in and join us to make our specialty vibrant and viable for generations to come!

UHMS Finances

I am pleased to report that UHMS's financial position remains strong.

Our balance sheet remains healthy, with operating, savings, and investment accounts continuing to hover at near-all-time highs.

Member Benefits

As a reminder, UHMS members receive three free CE/CME credits upon joining or renewing. This benefit represents an immediate $40 savings for Associate members and $60 for Regular members annually. 

Associate Member Town Hall

Members are invited to attend the UHMS Associate Council town hall meeting, held on the second Thursday of each quarter, where invited speakers present on topics relevant to our specialty.

Corporate Partners

If you are a UHMS Corporate Partner, please attend our monthly Corporate Partner Town Hall meeting series. These meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 12 PM. They are intended to be an open forum for discussing the challenges and successes your businesses and practices are experiencing, as well as creating momentum and collaboration where appropriate.    

If your organization wants to educate the UHMS membership about the care provided or the goods and services offered, consider joining our Corporate Partnership Program. See https://www.uhms.org/corporate-memberships.html.  

MEDFAQs

The UHMS offers its version of "ask the experts." MEDFAQs can be found at the following URL: https://www.uhms.org/resources/medfaqs-frequently-asked-questions-faq.html, and it is a valuable tool for our membership.

If you are familiar with MEDFAQs, check back, as new Q&As are posted regularly.

Research

The UHMS Research Committee remains highly active. UHMS is currently funding systematic analyses and provides funding to Dartmouth University for the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (MRHBO2). This is important because these contributions help keep the registry free for participating members. The MRHBO2 is funded entirely through grants, not by the participating hospitals of the registry - https://www.uhms.org/donate-to-the-multicenter-registry-for-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy.html.

QUARC

To better understand the field's challenges, log in and visit the QUARC page – https://www.uhms.org/resources/quarc.html. Here, you will find impending legislation and other relevant policies on the provision and limitations of HBO₂ coverage and the UHMS's responses and guidance.

The chairs of QUARC are requesting that any unusual denials or challenges to physicians gaining access to insurance panels for HBO2 services be reported to jpeters@uhms.org as soon as possible.

UHMJ

If you are a UHMS member, we are happy to announce a new search feature for previous issues and articles from UHM/UBR - https://www.uhms.org/publications/uhm-journal/download-uhm-journal-pdfs.html. Currently, the feature works with keywords.

Looking Ahead

UHMS remains committed to expanding educational initiatives, strengthening industry partnerships, and advocating for policy advancements that benefit our field. We encourage you to engage with us, participate in upcoming events, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue that shapes hyperbaric and undersea medicine.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Community. Your expertise, dedication, and continued engagement make a difference in advancing the science and practice of undersea and hyperbaric medicine.

If you have a suggestion or comment on how we can better serve you, please email me at jpeters@uhms.org or call 561-776-6110 extension 100.

Sincerely,
John Peters
Executive Director
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society