Are Your Hospital Bylaws Current?

Smiling group of physicians As physician board certification continues to grow in importance, so will the competition among hospitals to hire the most talented and dedicated board-certified professionals. But when medical staff bylaws are outdated, they may recognize only certain physician certifying bodies, or only physicians who have earned certification on the first attempt. Unfortunately, these bylaws undermine the very intent of board certification, which is to recognize physicians’ skills and knowledge in their chosen medical specialty.

Why Board Certification Matters

A demanding process, board certification is a mark of distinction that the medical industry widely recognizes. Granted, many outdated bylaws were written decades ago when the medical environment was strikingly different. Still, if hospital bylaws restrict a perfectly qualified and experienced physician, it is patients who ultimately suffer. Because medical staff bylaws serve to establish quality, it’s imperative that they be kept up to date.

The ABPS Encourages Hospitals to Update Their Medical Staff Bylaws

The American Board of Physician Specialties^® (ABPS) is a nationally recognized certifying body with 12 specialty boards and Diplomates in 19 specialties. Federal organizations that recognize the ABPS include the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Veterans’ Health Administration and the U.S States Armed Forces. The U.S. Department of Labor revised its definition of multispecialty board certification to specifically include ABPS alongside the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). We urge more hospitals and other healthcare organizations to update their bylaws to include the ABPS and give patients access to the world-class medical care that our Diplomates provide.

If you would like to learn more about the ABPS and its unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the public, contact us today.

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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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