The Importance of AAEP Fellowship Recognition According to Site Inspector Muhammad Ahmed, MD, FAAEP

Muhammad Ahmed, MD, FAAEPThere are several postgraduate training programs that offer emergency medicine fellowships to physicians who have finished a primary care residency and are interested in emergency medicine. With the relative shortage of residency-trained emergency physicians, especially in rural areas, the number of these fellowships has increased significantly in the last few years.

The American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP) saw the need to recognize these EM fellowships, which are doing an excellent job of training the fellows. AAEP recognition provides benefits to both the fellows and the programs. For fellows, we ensure that they continue to receive top-notch training. In addition, AAEP recognition makes them eligible for certification through the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). With our collective knowledge and experience, the AAEP helps programs by offering recommendations on best practices.

We take several factors into account when we inspect a fellowship program. We visit the ED and the hospital to make sure that the program has a qualified and adequate teaching staff, and a comprehensive curriculum that includes didactics, ultrasound learning, trauma management, pediatrics, adequate procedural training, and exposure to enough volume and pathology.

The AAEP anticipated the increased demand for EM fellowships and responded by recruiting and training more inspectors. We also have made our inspection processes more comprehensive yet more efficient for programs as well as inspectors.

If you are a director thinking of establishing an EM fellowship program, I congratulate you on joining a unique group of dedicated leaders who are helping to raise the quality of emergency medicine across the country. It does require dedication and commitment from you as well as the key leaders in the ED and the hospital, but the AAEP can help you with advice and practical solutions to the unique issues of this endeavor.

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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.

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