Make Your Bylaws Inclusive

Make Your Bylaws InclusiveWhen a healthcare facility hires a board-certified physician, it sends a positive message to both patients and staff: This doctor is a proven and accomplished practitioner whom you can trust to deliver exceptional medical care. To ensure that their physicians are properly credentialed and indeed have the ability to provide quality healthcare, organizations throughout the United States have established bylaws. But when bylaws are unclear or unintentionally restrictive, an organization could well miss opportunities to hire skilled and knowledgeable practitioners.

While there are some hospitals that may not require physician board certification for staff membership, or that have requirements so stringent as to bar any candidate who has not passed certification on a first attempt, we can assume that hospitals write bylaws to attract doctors who are among the best in their chosen specialties. Unfortunately, some bylaws unwittingly block physicians certified by respected osteopathic boards, non-U.S. boards, and any new board that is not associated with the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Indeed, hospitals should strive to maintain the highest quality of medical care, but if bylaws restrict a perfectly qualified and experienced doctor who just so happens to be certified with a non-ABMS board, it is patients who ultimately suffer. Because medical staff bylaws serve to establish quality, they should be written as carefully as possible to achieve this goal.

The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is one of the three nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying bodies. At the ABPS, we are committed to providing patients with the best medical care possible. Our strict eligibility requirements and rigorous examination process ensure that any physician who earns certification through one of our Member Boards is able to provide the highest level of patient care.

To learn more about the ABPS and its unwavering commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the public, contact us today. The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.®

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House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
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June 10-15, 2022
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.

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