ABPS Board Certifications for Family Medicine Residents

Becoming a family medicine physician is a long and arduous process, requiring years of rigorous medical school study followed by comprehensive residency training. As if this was not challenging enough, in order to become a practicing physician, a doctor must then earn a medical license, which requires candidates to pass a standardized exam. After they obtain a license, they typically must update it every one or two years in order to keep practicing.

New practitioners will quickly learn that today’s medical marketplace is extremely competitive. Even physicians of unquestionable talent will more than likely seek some verifiable way, beyond their track record of patient care, to show that they possess extraordinary medical expertise. More and more, to distinguish themselves, family medicine physicians are turning to certification bodies like the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS).

A nationally recognized choice for physician board certification, the ABPS offers qualified doctors, including family medicine residents with proven knowledge and case experience, board certification in numerous specialties. Here a few of them:

Disaster Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine
Family Medicine Obstetrics
Integrative Medicine
Urgent Care Medicine

The ABPS offers board certification for a wide variety of specialties. Make no mistake, though, earning certification through an ABPS Member Board is tough. After satisfying stringent eligibility requirements, candidates must pass a rigorous specialty exam. Once certified, Diplomates must complete several hours of continuing medical education annually.

But the benefits of ABPS certification are especially noteworthy. In addition to enjoying recognition and respect from medical colleagues, ABPS Diplomates are vastly more marketable to potential employers. In a time when hospitals are increasingly hiring only board-certified physicians, the value of certification cannot be overstated.

If you are a family medicine resident who is thinking of pursuing certification in your area of expertise, we encourage you to apply to the ABPS. Contact us today for information about our eligibility requirements, our Member Boards, and our commitment to certification standards designed to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the public.

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Patient Care Is Our Priority

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

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