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A Message From Hilary McClafferty, MD, to All Physicians: We See You

Hilary McClafferty, MDThe COVID-19 pandemic has created a cascade of chaos and suffering on a level previously unseen by this generation. This has impacted physicians in both visible and invisible ways. The visible impacts are obvious. Images of colleagues in full protective gear swabbing, intubating, and managing critical patients make it easy to appreciate how far from normal we truly are. The pictures are shocking and humbling, leaving indelible imprints in our collective psyche and raising awareness of the courage, integrity, and heroism present in each of you working in medicine today.

The invisible impacts worry me more. How will we process the sheer volume of this catastrophe, the mass of humanity needing help, the palpable anxiety, the grief, and defeat of losing a patient? What about the lingering worry and guilt of potential exposures of our own families, other patients, our staff? There is much work to be done and we will need to look out for each other as we move forward together.

The uncertainty in these days is high, the fear potent, the stakes serious. How do you keep going? Clarity of insight often comes into sharp focus at times like this. Here is a critical moment to ask yourself: Why do I do what I do? You may reference the familiar internal call to serve; you took the oath to step up when needed. You may understand that few, in fact, have the training and skills to do what you do. You may need to take time to distill a clear answer. Take it.

There are important lessons available to you now. Learn, adapt, and make the changes that need to be made. Don’t hesitate. You know what to do. And it is worth identifying the fundamental values supporting your actions. Here are your super-strengths, the pillars that define your true north. Harness them with purpose. To help you, apply the mindfulness skills you have been cultivating. Practice daily, or moment to moment. Choose to move through the chaos mindfully, with compassion for all involved. The world needs your steadiness, your wisdom, your vision.

I hope that you recognize your incredible value. You are uniquely equipped to rally to this moment and all that will follow with intelligence, grit, heart, and determination. The fact is that each of you working in medicine already is extraordinary; the difference is that now everyone in the world knows it.

Hilary McClafferty, MD is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physicians Specialties

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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.

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
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
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