The International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants
CICIAMS is an independent Private Association of the Faithful, an international association recognized by the Ecclesiastical Authority with close working relationship with the Holy See, along with National and International Catholic Organizations. CICIAMS has delegates at the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
NACN-USA is a member of CICIAMS, thus all NACN-USA members are part of CICIAMS through our Association. CICIAMS promotes Christian and professional values in nursing care with National and International Associations around the world. Members have the opportunity to become involved in CICIAMS and to attend their meetings.
In 2018 the International President of FIAMC (the international Catholic body for physicians-World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations) asked if CICIAMS would be interested in working with FIAMC in producing position papers on Ethical Issues. CICIAMS Ethics Committee will represent CICIAMS in this collaborative effort which may begin in 2019. All committee work is recommended to and approved by the CICIAMS Executive Board.
“The Medico-Social Assistants part of CICIAMS name was added in the 1950’s. It resulted after changes that occurred during World War II in the east, especially in Malaysia. There was a shortage of doctors and some nurses were trained to carry out some medical procedures such as minor surgery. However, when this happened they were no longer permitted to call themselves nurses. Hence, the origin of medico-social assistants.” Geraldine McSweeney, CICIAMS President, 2018.