Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

How AAEP Recognition Benefits Fellowship Experience

Bilal Piracha, MDAfter 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 next step. The ER Fellowship offered by Alteon Health at Decatur Morgan Hospital in Alabama, which is approved by the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP), seemed like a good fit.

“AAEP approval means a lot for both a fellowship program and its fellows,” Dr. Piracha says. As he explains, AAEP’s requirements for fellowship programs ensure that ER fellows receive the state-of-the-art training they need, which they fully expect when they sign up, some after quitting lucrative jobs as attending physicians”.

“An AAEP-approved program gives you a clear pathway to ER training that prepares you to become a well-trained and well-versed ER physician,” he says.

Dr. Piracha found that AAEP guidelines made for a smartly structured ER fellowship that trained physicians in best patient care practices. Fellows were required to write several case reports and maintain a procedures log, all while studying diligently for their board exams

But would he recommend his program to other primary care physicians seeking an emergency medicine fellowship? Absolutely, Dr. Piracha says.

“Our ER fellowship program under Alteon is now the biggest ER fellowship program, with four training sites,” he points out. “It’s well developed and has a national fellowship director as well as the site directors. We had good practical training as well as an excellent didactic program of teaching ER medicine practically and academically at every step. We had multiple teaching sessions by specialists in respective fields and hands on experience , at University of Alabama as well.

Once, after studying trauma, we found ourselves on a car race track to be in cars to feel the adrenaline rush ourselves for the excitement yet the danger associated too. So, it was fun to learn and fun to work with the fellowship team there.”

Dr. Piracha is now the Director of Education and Outreach of a leading ER Group WCGTX (Wellness Care group of Texas), currently residing in Dallas TX. He works at few ERs  around the area including McAlester Regional Hospital.

He is passionately working with a team to setup an ER Fellowship in the DFW area at one of a decent sized busy hospitals. Further details to follow in that regard.

If you’re a primary care physician interested in pursuing an emergency medicine fellowship like Dr. Piracha’s, you should know that AAEP-approved fellowships are located in numerous states  throughout the U.S. The American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS) created the AAEP to give primary care physicians an eligibility pathway to board certification by the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM), a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). For more information about AAEP-approved programs, contact the AAPS.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information
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
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact