Articles - Physician News

Physician Thriving: Why vs. Why Not

Physician Thriving: Why vs. Why Not By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP In this incredibly busy flu season, have you had the experience of working beside a physician colleague who was having a bad day, week, or month? Perhaps providing a running negative commentary something like this: “Why is this patient here now?” “Why don’t they have a primary care doctor?” ...

Physician Thriving: New Year, New Decade, New Awareness?

Physician Thriving: New Year, New Decade, New Awareness? By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP A disconnect between the importance of providing service to patients over the holidays and the ‘business of medicine’ struck home for some of us last month. For me it occurred with a series of computer-generated emails related to charting deficiencies and delinquencies and end of year metrics ...

Physician Thriving: Financial Wellbeing and Burnout - Where Do You Stand?

Physician Thriving: Financial Wellbeing and Burnout - Where Do You Stand? By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP Financial stress is a widely recognized element in physician burnout, although to those outside of medicine this may seem paradoxical. In early career physicians, burnout correlates with amount of student loan debt, highlighting the need for new approaches to financing medical education. (1) In ...

How AAEP Recognition Benefits Fellowship Experience

After graduating from the esteemed King Edward Medical College in Pakistan, completing a family medicine residency from UPMC McKeesport, PA, then working as Hospitalist in a Level II Trauma Center Integris Baptist OKC, Bilal Piracha, MD, still wanted to explore more horizons. Given his passion to be the savior at the forefront and lifelong empathy for people in need, the emergency medicine fellowship training was the natural ...

Physician Thriving: The Power of Why

Physician Thriving: The Power of Why By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP You may be considering taking steps to address your own well-being in light of the ongoing national focus on physician health and wellness. It can be daunting to contemplate change and overwhelming to add another potential project to your already full plate. Where to begin? Would it be your ...

The Role of the Physician as an Advocate for Health Care

Years of rigorous medical training and extensive knowledge in health care make physicians uniquely qualified to serve as health care advocates. As an advocate, that is what I firmly believe. My name is Inam Rahman, MD, a Diplomate of the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM), a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). I’m also ...

Physician Thriving: Meaning and Purpose - Burnout and Resilience

Physician Thriving: Meaning and Purpose - Burnout and Resilience By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP Like many of you, my work life has changed significantly over the years. These transitions have reinforced my conviction that a strong sense of meaning and purpose are integral to a sustainable career in medicine. Take a moment to consider your current feeling of meaning and ...

Physician Thriving: Tools to Promote Thriving

Physician Thriving: Tools to Promote Thriving By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP Much has been written about the complex challenges of modern medical practice and the prevalence of physician burnout. There is no simple answer. All of us, at every level of training, practice, and administration must step up and take responsibility for changing the current dynamic in medicine. Mindfulness is ...

Physician Thriving: More on Mindfulness - Recognizing Your Stress Response

Physician Thriving: More on Mindfulness - Recognizing Your Stress Response By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP Mindfulness, described by Kabat-Zinn, PhD, as “paying attention, on purpose, with moment-to-moment awareness, in a particular way, without judgment”, is a highly adaptable practice that is gaining support in the medical community for both physicians and patients. The benefits of mindfulness in physicians have been ...

Physician Thriving: Mindfulness in Medicine

Physician Thriving: Mindfulness in Medicine By Hilary McClafferty, MD, FAAP Prior to considering any intervention in physician wellness, it is important to reiterate the complexity of the issue and acknowledge the multiple metrics of success required for professional fulfillment and avoidance of burnout. Concisely delineated by Shanafelt et al at Stanford they include: Developing a ‘culture of wellness’ (leadership, value ...

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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