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Is Your Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program Approved?

Integrative medicine is a healing-oriented medical specialty that focuses on the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. The integrative medicine practitioner makes decisions about illness prevention and treatment based on medical evidence and uses all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare modalities, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.

Fellowship Approval Enables Physicians to Apply for ABOIM Certification

In the United States, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is the only multi-specialty certifying board to offer integrative medicine board certification. Physicians who become certified through the American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM®), an ABPS Member Board, commit themselves to ongoing education and self-development and position themselves at the forefront of this evolving specialty.

To be eligible to apply for initial certification in integrative medicine, an applicant must first satisfy the general requirements of the ABPS, which include graduation from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine, and a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. In addition, an applicant must be an active integrative medicine specialist, and, as of January 1, 2023, all applicants must have completed an approved integrative medicine fellowship. Once certified by the ABOIM, physicians will have established themselves as leaders in integrative medicine. As Diplomates of the ABPS, a nationally recognized board, they will also have joined a community of physicians dedicated to advancing patient care while enjoying more career opportunities and increased mobility in the job market.

Advancing the Specialty: Integrative Medicine Fellowships & the ABOIM

Fellowship programs are integral to advancing the specialty, and as the field expands and deepens its critical role in mainstream healthcare, more educational programs at every level will be needed to meet the public’s interest and expectations.

In 2020, the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health assumed the role of approving integrative medicine fellowship programs that meet the high standards of the ABPS. The organizational home for 76 of the world’s most prestigious academic health centers and health systems with integrative medicine programs, the consortium sets and monitors the educational standards for the nation’s integrative medicine fellowships. Currently, the ABOIM recognizes 18 programs in nine states, as well as Washington, D.C.

Each approved Fellowship program in Integrative Medicine provides a minimum of 1000 hours of graduate medical education. Physician faculty must have current certification in the specialty or possess qualifications judged acceptable to the Academic Consortium Fellowship Review Committee and faculty must pursue CME credit to remain current in their emerging fields, consistent with the ABOIM recertification requirements.  A complete list of Fellowship Program Standards and a list of approved Fellowship Programs are available from the Academic Consortium.

ABPS Board Certification: A Mark of Distinction in the Medical Industry

ABPS boards, like the ABOIM, emphasize psychometrically evaluated testing in addition to advanced training, experience, and moral character. Our stringent requirements ensure that only the brightest and most dedicated physicians attain ABPS certification. Upon certification by the ABPS, they become part of a community of like-minded professionals nationally recognized for their achievements. ABPS-certified physicians work in esteemed institutions nationwide, spanning all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. As members of a distinguished community of medical professionals, ABPS Diplomates share clinical experiences and best practices, while also enjoying abundant leadership opportunities.

Questions?  Want to discuss your program’s path to approval?  Contact the ABPS today.

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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.

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
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