Recognizing Excellence in Medical Illustration
Visual communication plays a critical role in healthcare, education and research. From helping surgeons teach procedures to supporting patient education and advancing scientific understanding, medical illustrations translate complex medical concepts into clear, accurate visuals. At The Ohio State University, these specialized visual resources help clinicians, educators, researchers and learners communicate effectively and improve understanding across a wide range of audiences.
This commitment to excellence is reflected in the recent achievement of Courtney Chenock, CMI, who has earned the prestigious Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) credential. Courtney's accomplishment represents a significant professional milestone and further strengthens the expertise available through HSL Medical Visuals. With Courtney's certification, the team now includes two Certified Medical Illustrators, reinforcing Ohio State's commitment to providing high-quality medical visualization services.
What Is a Certified Medical Illustrator?
The Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) credential is awarded by the Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators (BCMI), the certifying body for the medical illustration profession. BCMI certification demonstrates that an individual has met rigorous standards for scientific knowledge, visual communication and professional ethics; it is widely recognized as one of the most reliable indicators of competence in the field of medical illustration.
The certification process is designed to ensure that medical illustrators possess the skills necessary to create accurate and effective visual communications for healthcare, education, research and patient engagement. The program aligns with nationally recognized accreditation standards established through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Because medical illustrations often communicate complex anatomical, physiological and procedural information, healthcare organizations rely on certified professionals to uphold high standards of accuracy and quality.
How Does a Medical Illustrator Achieve Certification?
Becoming a Certified Medical Illustrator requires substantial preparation and successfully completing a multi-step certification process. While individual experiences vary, candidates complete the following steps:
- Earn specialized education and training in medical illustration, including advanced study in both biomedical sciences and visual communication.
- Develop professional experience and a portfolio that demonstrates technical expertise, anatomical accuracy and effective communication across a variety of medical subjects.
- Apply for certification through BCMI and submit required professional documentation and credentials.
- Pass a rigorous certification examination that evaluates knowledge of medical science, illustration techniques, ethics and professional practice.
- Complete a comprehensive portfolio review, during which expert evaluators assess the quality, accuracy and effectiveness of the candidate's work.
- Maintain certification through ongoing professional development, ensuring continued growth and competency within the field.
The process is both demanding and highly selective, making certification a notable achievement within the profession.
“This certification has been years in the making, requiring extensive preparation, examinations and portfolio reviews," said Courtney Chenock, CMI, medical illustrator with HSL Medical Visuals. "There were certainly challenges along the way, but persistence paid off. I'm grateful for the support of my colleagues throughout the process and excited to continue creating accurate, engaging visuals that help advance education, research and patient care at Ohio State."
How Does This Benefit Ohio State?
Courtney's certification provides meaningful benefits for Ohio State and the Wexner Medical Center.
First, having certified medical illustrators at Ohio State helps to ensure that the university is producing accurate educational materials, research communications, surgical illustrations, patient education resources and digital content.
Second, having multiple Certified Medical Illustrators increases HSL Medical Visuals' ability to support faculty, staff, students and clinical teams. As demand for high-quality visual communication continues to grow, certified professionals help ensure projects meet rigorous standards for accuracy and effectiveness.
Third, certification demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement. The achievement reflects positively on Ohio State's investment in specialized expertise and reinforces its reputation as a leader in healthcare education, research and patient care.
Celebrating a Significant Achievement
Courtney's achievement is a testament to dedication, perseverance and professional excellence. From the moment Courtney joined HSL Medical Visuals, certification was a clear goal, and months of hard work, preparation and commitment have resulted in this exceptional accomplishment.
As HSL Medical Visuals now celebrates having two Certified Medical Illustrators on staff, Ohio State gains additional expertise that will continue to support education, research, clinical care and innovation across the university community. Please join us in congratulating Courtney Chenock, CMI, on this outstanding professional achievement and an important milestone for both the Medical Visuals team and Ohio State.
