National University of Medical Sciences

I wonder what is the status of this entity in Spain. My best bet is it's some variant of "unaccredited but legal" with some type of academically meaningless business registration. People more familiar with European frameworks can shed more light.

It looks like this group practices non-medical Osteopathy more or less earnestly, but outside of any meaningful oversight. There's no way to say what kind of standards they maintain; might be pretty light. But the founder did manage to bestow a diploma on his own sister, and she clearly uses it to practice - so there's utility. At least in Ontario. They do need to be careful not to imply they're somehow regulated professionals - this is how Dr. Pourgol was forced to give up his Chiropractic registration (after earlier warning for signing car accident insurance forms for patients using three different names... hmmm...).

 

I note a superfluity of "boards" in Canada, "boards" that are private organizations with no government standing. Their basic purposes are "certifying" practitioners of various and sundry unregulated health-related regimes - and serving as a marketing aid for their members. I'll bet they're good little money-makers, most of these "boards."

There are "real" schools and fake "schools." There are also "real" boards and fake "boards."

J.

 

Indeed. I believe Dr. P. was involved in the creation of a couple of Osteopathic Boards. Seems to be legitimately trying to get Osteopathic Manipulation recognized. Possibly in reaction to what occurred with him in the Chiropractic field.

People do need to be cautious about being too impressed by "Board Certified" until they check the board out. I also imagine some of these boards are money makers because people in the field want to stand out by being Board Certified or a Diplomate. As I recall, one Psychologist got his cat status in some Psychotherapy organization (Dr. Katze). He warned people to not be too overwhelmed by credentials until they dig deeper.

 

True. Same with "Associations". At least in Ontario, if some activity is regulated, a self-regulating body is usually called a "College". For example, this year we got "College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario", after the 2007 Act came through the rule-making process and fully into force. Previously it was called a "Provisional College". And, of course, there's College of Early Childhood Educators, an entity that manages to keep the number of foreign-trained Registered ECEs at under 5% in a heavy-immigration province. Pity that only one applicant ever filed a court claim against it (my friend; I did research and some writing for the claim, and Dr. Bear's letter would be evidence, if they hadn't caved).

 

As it happens, Psychotherapy recently became a regulated profession here.

Yes, Dr. P's stuff might me sincere. It must be noted that he has competitors, and some of these schools appear to have a more rigorous, 4-year program, and no teaching of manual manipulation through YouTube videos.

 

I'm more and more confused by the status of this thing. Canadian thing is apparently legal because no one regulates this kind of thing. Moreover, his students work all over the place, suggesting he convinced a fair number of private plans to pay for the services. What about American counterpart? It's in Florida, but does not appear on FLDOE's list of licensed schools from Commission for Independent Education: Nonpublic Postsecondary School/College Search. What's going on?

 

As a Canadian, this might disturb you:

Testimonials

I am happy that Honorable Justin Trudeau the prime minister of Canada and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau write me once in a while! I received these letters recently:

Shahin, your hope, hard work and unwavering support have made it possible to make a real and positive difference in the lives of Canadians. (Justin)

It’s your support that has made this important progress possible — so thank you, Shahin. Justin and I couldn’t be more proud to be building this shared home — a better Canada — with you at our side. (Sophie)


Looks like boilerplate thanks for political support used to imply endorsement of the school.

 

I guess a link would be good: Numss.us | About Us

 

Odd. As is the implication that they personally take the time to write adoring notes to him. Even if they did, you should not really publish it UNLESS it is specifically tied to your business (as he did with the Ontario Minister's note). The Ontario note also looked like a standard recognition note.

 

Stanislav, On their Facebook page they have a document from the Secretary of State of Florida recognizing them as a Corporation under Florida laws. To issue academic degrees such as a PhD do they not need some additional authorization?

 

Something tells me it's a form letter to a Liberal donor. Sort of like I have a nice letter signed by Minister Jason Kenney - it was sent to all new Canadian citizens that year. After his boneheaded policies held up my application for at least 2 years, somehow the letter didn't help.

 

Yeah, that was puzzled me too. It seems that Commission for Independent Education is an entity that provides such authorization. Florida is a Mecca for unaccredited healthcare training schools; look at how many weird entities in that database offer RN-qualifying AS Nursing. Yet NUMSS is not even on the list. And listing an incorporation document as proof of recognition is an old degree mill trick.

 

Here's Shahin Pourgol: Dr Shahin Pourgol
He's also on FB & Twitter but I didn't look.

 

deleted -J

 

A PhD in Osteopathic Clinical Science sounds pretty academic and I would think someone would need to approve. The confusing one is the DO from Spain that Dr. Nuzum uses because without explanation people could think you were a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Canadian branch appears limited to diplomas. Perhaps Canada is more restrictive? Or he lives there and it is easier to have issues with regulators so does not issue degrees from the Canadian branch?

 

A bit of both, I think. It may take YEARS*, but if you award degrees here without proper approval, "they" will likely get to you eventually. Maybe sooner, if it involves health care.

* Vancouver Worldwide U. and Northland Open U. both granted degrees for some years. No health care degrees that I know of.

We're not unauthorized-degree-free up here in the Great White North, eh, but the number of "schools" is low.
We tend to FRREEEZZE them out over the winter. :smile: No amount of back-bacon, poutine or maple syrup seems to help them...

J.

 

This is interesting. Assuming it is accurate and the agreement is still effective.... NUMSS DO graduates can be accepted with advanced medical standing at the Caribbean Medical School in Curacao. The medical school appears to be accredited and tuition is pretty reasonable. Complete MD in two years.

NUMSS DO graduates can complete MD program of Caribbean Medical University in 2 years - a photo on Flickriver

 

Caribbean Medical University is approved by the Government of Curacao as well as listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) directory of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and World Directory of Medical Schools.

The recognition makes our students eligible to take the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE), to allow CMU graduates to participate in the medical residency training programs through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and finally to apply for a license in the United States, subject to the licensing board regulations. ECFMG Certification is a requirement for international medical graduates seeking unrestricted license to practice medicine.

Recognition of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) and the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) provides certification and eligibility to take the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) and to apply for a license to
practice medicine in Canada, subject to the Canadian licensing board regulations.

Accredited Caribbean Medical School - Caribbean Medical University


That's a BFD, as Mr. Biden might say.

 

Yes, it is a BFD. No doubt. I'm sure grads become eligible to take exams and apply for residencies, as the school says. Just wondering how many grads have managed to pass the exams, and be accepted to US or Canadian residencies and, having jumped through all the hoops, are now licensed, practicing physicians in those countries. Anybody have an idea?

J.

 

It was founded in 2007 and so there wouldn't be a very big sample of test-takers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Medical_University