I.C.E. Exchange Preview — Credentialing in History: Establishing Trust in Medieval Times
Attendees of the 2023 I.C.E. Exchange (Oct. 23-27) can expect to learn and share in the latest credentialing industry trends and best practices through live education and networking.
Read on as I.C.E. Exchange presenter Eden J. Racket, manager of assessment at the American Osteopathic Association, shares a sneak peek of what attendees will experience at the Meet the Author session for his e-poster.
What is your background with credentialing, and what excites you most about being in this field?
My educational background is in English and medieval studies, and I also completed two years of coursework in pre-medicine. I joined the American Osteopathic Association as a medical editor in 2019, where I’ve had the opportunity to integrate my different areas of study while working with our myriad of member boards. At heart, I’ll always be a big nerd who loves to read and learn interesting new things, so it’s easy to stay excited in the credentialing universe!
What can attendees look forward to during your session?
If you’re hoping to hear about anything that’s happened in the past 500-ish years, this is not the session for you. Even long before modern credentialing, people have worried about employing the right professional. This session will look at several examples of how exactly a professional might have demonstrated and communicated their abilities to the broader public before the introduction of modern credentialing.
Is there a particular topic you are most looking forward to discussing with the other panelists?
Two words — medieval medicine! Though perhaps not as scientifically accurate as today, the medieval medical world was much more complex and thoughtful than most assume. Instead of viewing these practitioners as primitive, I am much more interested in taking a serious approach that respects them as the practicing physicians of their day.
What highlights do you hope attendees will take away from your session?
Give the Middle Ages some credit! Our world and technology may have progressed far beyond those times, but the human mind was just as sharp and perceptive then as it is now. Consider that modern credentialing is often traced back to the 1800s, meaning it’s been around for a period of about 200 years. The medieval period is generally defined as spanning the fifth to 15th centuries, condensing 1,000 years of history under this single moniker.
While focus on current ideas is always warranted, this session aims to open participants to new avenues of inspiration (and provide an interesting history of our profession)! While we are modern professionals in a modern field, I hope our time together helps us view ourselves within a broader human and historical context.