Should You Become Board Certified in Administrative Medicine?

If you are a physician who is in the business of healthcare management and administration, or you have administrative responsibilities in a clinical practice, you might be eligible to pursue board certification through the American Board of Administrative Medicine℠ (ABAM), a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties®. Healthcare reform has created a variety of new opportunities for physician leaders, and becoming board certified in your area of expertise is an excellent way to stand out and be recognized for your unique insight into the business of medicine. As the healthcare sector continues to evolve, there is a growing needed for physician leaders who have insight into both clinical practice as well as business administration.

The ABAM was created to help identify physicians who have a strong background in both business and medicine. In order to be eligible to pursue board certification, the candidate must have either:

  • A master’s degree in medical management, health administration, or business administration
  • At least 5 years of cumulative experience in an administrative position. This includes further training in management-related functions and requires the completion of an ABAM assessment form from each previous employer as well as documentation of specific coursework and training.

Additionally, each candidate must meet the general ABPS eligibility requirements, which can be found here.

At the ABPS, we believe that highly qualified physicians with a strong business background deserve to be recognized with formal board certification. Our Diplomates are physician CEOs, leaders in hospital management, private practitioners who run their own practice, and other business-savvy physicians. And, as part of the ABAM community, they have an opportunity to work with other physician leaders to shape the direction of the healthcare industry. As modern medicine has become big business, decisions are increasingly being made in the boardroom. At the ABPS, we believe a physician deserves a seat at the table and the ABAM was developed to identify potential physician leaders.

To learn about the ABAM, our eligibly requirements, and the benefits to pursuing board certification, contact us today. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

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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