Physician-led Management and Leadership Roles Are Critical as the Healthcare Industry Reinvents Itself

Leadership RolesThe leadership deficit in North American healthcare continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing the industry. Traditionally, the medical community has been highly independent and decentralized. Small, privately run practices have long been the standard, often to the detriment of the patients who often have to visit several specialists to manage their health. However, in recent years a concerted push has been made to transform healthcare from a small, cottage industry to a far more organized, big business. As this transformation continues, it is extraordinarily important that physicians assume leadership roles in order to move the industry forward in the 21st century.

A unique challenge that faces healthcare is that medical specialists have long operated independently from one another. The environment of corroboration and teamwork that is taken for granted in the business world hasn’t always been fully grasped by the medical community, which has developed a system that isn’t always especially patient-friendly. When a person needs to see several specialists, for example, they are left largely to their own devices, trusted that they will make the necessary appointments, visit several offices – often only during traditional business hours – and do the legwork to make sure that the various physicians communicate with one another to provide treatment.

Critics of this approach argue that the industry needs to learn the lessons of the business world and treat their patients more like customers – individuals who need to be kept happy with a tireless commitment to customer service. This continues to be one of the biggest selling points of centralized hospital groups – by bringing all of the services and specialists under a single umbrella, the system runs more efficiently.

In order to continue to evolve healthcare in the United States, a firm commitment to improving the efficiency of the system must be made – and this requires strong leadership from the physicians within the system itself. At the American Board of Physician Specialties®, we recognized the essential role that physicians will play in reinventing the medical community, and our board-certified physicians are excellent candidates to assume these management roles. By becoming board certified, our Diplomates have demonstrated a clear mastery of their specialty and have the unique opportunity to work with like-minded, board-certified physicians to improve efficiency and better serve patients.

To learn more about the benefits to board certification through one of our many Member Boards, contact us today.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine