Articles - About ABPS

A Recognized Choice for Physician Board Certification

The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) was founded in 1952 to recognize licensed and qualified physicians who have mastered their respective fields of medicine. As a multi-specialty physician certifying body that includes 12 Member Boards with Diplomates in 20 specialties, the ABPS has itself been recognized in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook as a leading choice ...

ABPS Board Certification Standards

Through a collaborative process that involves Diplomates of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) and other accomplished physicians, the ABPS has developed board certification standards that are among the most stringent in the medical industry. These standards ensure that every physician who earns certification through our Member Boards can present to the public as qualified physician specialists. To be ...

Celebrating Doctors Day 2020

On March 30th, 1842, modern medicine changed forever when Dr. Crawford Long became the first person to use general anesthesia in surgery. In 1933, the United States marked the anniversary of this event by observing the first National Doctors Day. Then in 1991, President George H.W. Bush declared Doctors Day a national day of celebration. At the American Board of ...

Connect with a National Multi-Specialty Physician Audience

Hospital leaders and physician recruiters can take advantage of a great opportunity to meet qualified physician specialists by becoming an exhibitor or sponsor at the 68th House of Delegates and Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS). The AAPS is the governing body of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), which provides board certification ...

Medical Staff Bylaws Need to Be Kept up to Date

Medical staff bylaws serve to help hospitals and healthcare organizations establish and maintain their quality of patient care. Unfortunately, the bylaws of some organizations may deny staff privileges to eminently qualified physicians, specifically those certified by any board that is not associated with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is calling for ...

ABPS Code of Ethics Guides Diplomates in the Practice of Medicine

As one of the highest honors a physician can receive, board certification from the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is rightly a demanding process. But it’s one that yields enormous benefits. Not only does it make physicians more marketable to potential employers and increases opportunities for career advancement, but certification also gives doctors a meaningful voice in the healthcare ...

Healthcare Leaders Can Learn About the ABPS in 2020

Founded in 1952, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) offers both allopathic and osteopathic physicians board certification and recertification in 18 different specialties. We certified our first physician in 1960, and since then have certified numerous professionals in traditional medical fields such as internal medicine, family medicine, and dermatology, as well as in emerging specialties such as urgent care ...

Are Your Hospital’s Medical Staff Bylaws Inclusive?

Hospitals throughout the United States have established credentialing requirements and bylaws to ensure that their medical professionals are, at the very least, appropriately qualified. Bylaws aim at setting a standard of quality that ultimately assures patients they will receive safe, compassionate, and effective medical care. In a real sense, physician board certification achieves the same goals. Certification is a demanding, ...

Choice for Board Certification Matters

The road to becoming a practicing physician is long and arduous. After graduating from medical school and completing residency training, physicians must obtain a state medical license to show that they have the expertise to provide safe and effective medical care. But, in the United States, these are minimum standards, and to distinguish themselves as leaders in their fields, many ...

Physicians Have a Choice for Board Certification

Before the 1952 founding of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), many qualified physicians who applied for board certification were turned away if they lacked residency training in their chosen specialty. Created to provide certification options, the ABPS certified its first physician in 1960, and since then has become one of the three nationally recognized multispecialty certifying organizations in ...

1 2 3 4 Next »

Patient Care Is Our Priority

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