Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

Integrative Health and Wellness

Integrative Health & Wellness ABOIMIntegrative Medicine is one of the most rapidly growing, in-demand medical specialties in North American healthcare today. This intuitive approach to health and wellness has resonated with a public that has become increasingly health conscious and looking to leverage any and all means to achieve optimal health. At the forefront of this specialty is Dr. Andrew Weil, the founder and director of the Arizona Centre for Integrative Medicine.

As Dr. Weil explains in a recent interview, “Practicing a holistic approach through Integrative Medicine can help everyone.” What makes this approach unique is that Integrative Medicine combines the best practices of traditional, modern medicine, along with proven effective complementary and alternative therapies to help the patient improve the health and wellness of their whole body, mind and spirit. To be effective, this treatment approach requires a close relationship between the physician and patient because it seeks to identify potential areas where the patient can make lifestyle adjustments to improve their overall long-term health. By taking this whole-person approach, physicians can often identify risk factors for avoidable health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and help recommend course corrections to reduce the patient’s chances for developing the condition later in life.

Integrative Medicine Board Certification Through the ABPS

At the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), we were inspired by Dr. Weil’s commitment to Integrative Medicine and developed the nation’s first Member Board dedicated exclusively to providing recognized board certification in Integrative Medicine. Today, Diplomates of the American Board of Integrative Medicine® are recognized leaders who work together and alongside Dr. Weil to share best practices, help evolve the specialty and educate the public of the importance of taking good care of the mind, body and spirit. Even as integrative medicine evolves, its defining principles stay the same—that integrative medicine:

  • Is a partnership between the patient and the practitioner
  • Considers all factors that influence health, wellness, and disease
  • Uses conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response
  • Appropriately considers less-invasive and less-harmful interventions, when possible, while addressing the whole person in addition to the disease.
  • Is based on good science, is inquiry-driven and open to critical consideration of new paradigms

Benefits of Integrative Medicine Certification With the ABOIM

The ABPS is the only multi-specialty certifying board in the United States to offer Integrative Medicine board certification. To earn certification through the ABOIM, physicians must meet stringent eligibility requirements and pass a rigorous computer-based exam. But once certified, they will have positioned themselves as thoughtful leaders in integrative medicine. As for other benefits, consider that certification with an ABPS Member Board:

  • Makes physicians more marketable to potential employers
  • Enables physicians to gain opportunities for career advancement, which can lead to increased earning potential
  • Fosters recognition and respect from medical colleagues
  • Gives doctors a meaningful voice as a valued member of the healthcare community

If you are a physician who specializes in integrative medicine and are interested in learning more about the ABPS and ABOIM, contact us today. You can review the eligibility requirements for ABOIM certification here.

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.

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