Excellence is Our Business
AOE provides CME/CE consulting and support services for education providers, pharmaceutical IME and compliance teams, and CME/CE professionals. We take a straightforward approach to strategic and tactical client support. Our deliverable is your success in the CME/CE Enterprise. Our combined experience has improved effectiveness and success at more than 50 education providers, pharmaceutical CME/CE teams, hospitals, academic centers and associations.
The AOE Consulting team includes seasoned accreditation, legal and compliance professionals; national and international CME/CE experts; and former executive leaders of professional societies and associations. We leverage the experience of multiple Certified CME/CE Professionals. Our Advisory Board and Consulting Design Team include CME/CE program, education grant office, and adult learning experts.
What’s in a Name?
We are often asked about the meaning behind “AOE”. AOE takes its name from the three Greek letters that represented the ancient city-state of Athens. In addition to the letters, each Greek city-state was associated with an animal mascot. The symbol for Athens was the owl, as it was believed by ancient Greek leaders and philosophers that the owl would circle the Earth each night, collect the wisdom of the world, and return it to Athens. We remain mindful of this thought as AOE Consulting works with you and your team.
Consulting Design Team
Carlye Armstrong, CHCP
General Manager
With more than 14 years of secondary and college education experience in the sciences, Carlye leverages her project management, laboratory oversight, and continuing education background for the benefit of AOE clients. Carlye is well-versed in the areas of adult learning, education outcomes measurement, instructional design, and implementation of educational programs. Carlye serves as chairperson for a Scientific Review Committee for ongoing research and poster session development for youth in northeast Colorado. She is an active member of the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions (Alliance) and the Colorado Alliance for CME and serves as a member of the Alliance’s Awards Committee. Carlye earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry and emphasis in Secondary Education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Stephen Lewis, MA, CHCP
President
With 20 years of medical education, executive management and professional society experience, Stephen is a leader in the field. Selected as one of Colorado’s “Top 40 Under 40” leaders by the Denver Business Journal, Stephen has served as President of the Institute for Continuing Healthcare Education, President/CEO of Medical Education Collaborative, and Senior Director for the American Water Works Association. In addition to delivering presentations and developing testimony related to CME, nursing education and regulatory issues, Stephen served as President for the National Association of Medical Education Companies (NAMEC) and as a columnist for Medical Meetings magazine. Prior to entering the CME arena, Stephen worked for associations in banking and energy and served as a lobbyist and U.S. Senate Press Secretary. He received his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Sarah Porter, CHCP
Senior Program Manager
Sarah brings five years of CME/CE compliance management experience to AOE and its partners. Her background spans education, operations and communication. Sarah has significant expertise in educational design, project management, event planning, logistics, and social media strategy. Sarah is a former educator and is adept at development and implementation of policies and procedures across various stakeholder groups. As a Program Manager, Sarah works with organizations to translate accreditation board criteria and to provide solutions for consistency in management and documentation of CME/CE compliance across accredited initiatives. She is an active member of the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions (Alliance) and the Colorado Alliance for CME and serves as a member of the Alliance’s Almanac Editorial Board. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pepperdine University.
Alexis LaCount
Program Manager
Alexis’ background spans business administration, operations and policy translation. She brings nearly 20 years of customer service and project management to AOE and its partners. Alexis is adept at managing multiple stakeholder groups to achieve a common goal and implementation of process to ensure compliance with policies and regulations. As Program Manager, Alexis oversees compliance reviews, activity file audits and accredited-CE coordination oversight across accredited initiatives designed and implemented by AOE’s clients. Alexis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Wyoming.
Melissa Marick, MA
Program Manager
Melissa has an extensive background in education; she brings 13 years of primary, secondary, and administrative education experience to the AOE team. Prior to joining AOE, Melissa worked as the Dean of Students for a public school district in Colorado, where she served as an instructor and was also responsible for curriculum design, professional development, project/program management and communication with key, school district stakeholders. As a Program Manager at AOE, Melissa oversees CE program audits, board reaccreditation milestones, and she is responsible for CE program oversight and coordination. Melissa earned her undergraduate degree from Colorado Christian University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Brandy Lewis
Vice President of Operations
Brandy brings 20 years of medical education operations, financial management, logistics and meeting planning experience to AOE and its partners. Brandy manages all internal and external financial functions for AOE and its clients. She has delivered various medical education presentations at industry conferences regarding CME guidelines, regulatory issues and best practices. Her knowledge of finance, operations and general business management comes from executive-level management positions held with various medical education companies and both for-profit and not-for-profit accredited organizations. A former Certified Meeting Professional and member of Meeting Professionals International, Brandy received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
The AOE Advisory Board
AOE was formed by and for CME/CE leaders who want to demonstrate their best and improve CME/CE practices and results. The AOE Advisory Board remains active and involved in the CME/CE Enterprise, providing direction that assists AOE in helping pharmaceutical and medical education organizations, as well as individuals, solve problems with relevant, effective solutions. AOE’s standing as an authority in the CME/CE Enterprise is reinforced by our Advisory Board leaders.
The AOE Consulting Network
The AOE Consulting Network includes seasoned legal/regulatory and compliance professionals, CME/CE experts, and former executive leaders of professional societies and associations. More than half of our consultants are Certified Healthcare CPD Professionals. Our Consulting Design Team includes CME/CE program, education grant office, and adult learning experts.
AOE consultants have authored white papers, trained pharmaceutical IME and compliance teams, undergone successful reaccreditations across education provider-types and accreditation boards, and shared expertise with thousands of attendees at more than 30 national and international conferences, including the Alliance for CME Annual Meeting, AMA Task Force on Industry/Provider Collaboration, ANCC Annual Meeting, MedEd Forum, CME Congress, and CBI Grants conferences.
Our Mission: Navigating Education Excellence
AOE helps organizations demonstrate and define excellence in continuing medical education. Our team delivers knowledge, tools and cost-effective services that enhance quality, integrity, and the results associated with you and your CME/CE Unit.
AOE works with multiple stakeholders in the CME/CE Enterprise to deliver tailored consulting and training services. As leaders in continuing medical education, we help you excel in the current continuing medical education environment. Our success is tied to yours, and we work to exceed your expectations.
