Optimal Heart Health

Optimal Heart Health Vivian Kominos, MD, an integrative cardiologist at Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), believes it’s never too early to start paying attention to heart health. In fact, she says, we should begin taking care of our heart from the time we are children because research now shows that heart disease sometimes starts in adolescence.

When you take care of the heart, you’re actually taking care of the whole body, Dr. Kominos says, because anything that’s healthy for the heart is healthy for the body. For instance, we know that when we achieve ideal heart health our risk for cancer, depression, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes goes down. As an integrative cardiologist, Dr. Kominos draws upon what’s best in conventional medicine as well as alternative, or complementary medicine, to help patients maintain optimal heart health and live long healthy lives.

Because integrative health and medicine focuses on the health and wellness of the whole person, it considers the impact of the environment, genetics, and lifestyle on a person’s health and well-being. And because integrative medicine also emphasizes the relationship between the physician and patient, Dr. Kominos uses a personalized approach to treat heart patients and looks beyond traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and family history, and considers factors such as stress, depression, anxiety, nutrition, sleep, and exercise.

Research shows us that we can heal from heart disease, she says, and not only can we reverse it, but we can also reduce the risk for a recurrent event. It’s never too late to get better. Patients can regain and improve their health by taking doctor-recommended drugs, by undergoing any procedures that may be necessary, and most importantly, by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

The ABPS fully supports the integrative approach practiced by Dr. Kominos. Through the American Board of Integrative Medicine®, the ABPS offers board certification in integrative medicine to physicians who seek to pursue a healthcare approach that combines the best parts of conventional medicine with proven wellness practices. To learn more about the practice of integrative medicine and physician board certification in this specialty, contact the ABPS today.

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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

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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