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How the American Board of Physician Specialties Helps Further the Careers of Diplomates

The American Board of Physician Specialties® offers physician board certification that meets the public’s evolving healthcare needs and helps physicians achieve career success. Recognized in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook as a premier choice for physician certification, the ABPS advocates for its Diplomates, their patients, and the public at large by promoting high-quality, evidence-based patient care.

Why ABPS Board Certification Is a Trusted Credential

To become certified by the ABPS, physicians must satisfy stringent eligibility requirements and successfully complete a rigorous examination process. It’s no surprise that only highly skilled and dedicated physicians earn ABPS certification. Fittingly, more hospitals and medical facilities across the nation, in both urban and rural areas, are relying on the Diplomates of our diverse specialty boards to provide medical care for their patients. But at the ABPS, we know that the industry continues to evolve, so we work tirelessly with practice management groups, legislators, and other industry influencers to ensure our Diplomates have a strong voice in their community. We also make sure they receive ongoing education and training to keep abreast of the advancements in their specialty.

Essentially, ABPS Diplomates are members of a distinguished group of physicians committed to providing better and safer patient care. They exchange information about clinical experiences and best practices and take advantage of abundant leadership opportunities within the ABPS community.

‘ABPS Gives Its Members Opportunities’

Diplomate Leslie Mukau, MD, can attest to the benefits of ABPS certification: “The ABPS
gives its members unique opportunities to learn and develop professionally. I have been practicing emergency medicine for over 27 years and have been privileged to be a member of this fabulous organization. Through ABPS I have developed tremendously in my professional career, becoming a consummate practitioner of my trade, a physician leader, and a published clinical researcher.”

Board Certification Yields Several Benefits for Physician Specialists

As more healthcare organizations prioritize hiring board-certified physicians, the advantages of obtaining certification become more evident. Certification acts as a method for both current and prospective employers to confirm a physician’s credentials and recognize that doctor as a qualified candidate for new career opportunities. Beyond enhancing a physician’s potential for higher earnings, board certification also:

  • Boosts physicians’ confidence in their specialized knowledge and skills.
  • Encourages continuous education, helping physicians remain current with developments in their field.
  • Garners recognition and respect from peers within the medical community.
  • Signals a physician’s dedication to providing outstanding patient care.

Seeking Medical Specialty Certification? Apply to the ABPS

If you are a licensed physician who is considering becoming board certified in your specialty, the ABPS encourages you to apply to one of our Member Boards. We offer certification in traditional fields like family medicine and dermatology as well as emerging specialties like disaster medicine and integrative medicine.

The ABPS maintains rigorous eligibility requirements. While these requirements differ from specialty to specialty, all ABPS Member Boards share specific requirements, such as:

  • Being in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the ABPS, being known in the community as an ethical member of the profession, and being an active practitioner in the specialty for which you’re seeking certification
  • Having graduated from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine. International graduates must also hold a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.
  • Holding a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada.

Contact the ABPS today to learn more about our certification boards or for information about our eligibility requirements.

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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.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
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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