Orthopedic Surgeon Affirms Residents Have a Choice for Board Certification

Manny Konstantakos, MDMy name is Manny Konstantakos, MD, and I’m a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. After completing my residency in orthopedic surgery at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a fellowship in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery at the University of Chicago, I sought to become board certified. I wanted to choose a certifying body not just because it was the most well-known, or the longest-standing, but because of what it actually tested us on (especially pertinent as future orthopedic surgeons).

Fortunately, internet research led me to the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). Upon successful completion of the Part I written exam (a 4-hour multiple choice exam consisting of 200 clinically-relevant, real-life practice-based scenarios), candidates qualify to sit for the Part II oral exam. In 2018, after meeting eligibility requirements and passing these rigorous but fair exams, I became board certified in orthopedic surgery through the Board of Certification in Orthopedic Surgery (BCOS), a Member Board of the ABPS.

By providing physicians like me with another recognized choice for board certification, the ABPS promotes competition that can foster better patient care. Given that quality patient care is always important and that certification is as critical in today’s health care as it has ever been, I’m proud to be a Diplomate of the ABPS. Consider that the ABPS:

  • Is one of three nationally recognized certifying entities in the United States that offer board certification to orthopedic residents and surgeons
  • Is recognized in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook as a choice for physician board certification
  • Is supported by Aperture Credentialing, the nation’s most experienced healthcare provider credentialing company
  • Is the only multi-specialty certifying body that requires its Diplomates to complete a medical ethics course to achieve recertification

This medical ethics requirement was a key factor in my selection of the ABPS for my initial board certification. It likely influenced the decision of other ABPS Diplomates as well. After all, there are so many of us, and we practice medicine in all 50 states, plus Canada and Puerto Rico.

If you’re an orthopedic resident or surgeon seeking certification with an organization known for providing hospitals and health care facilities with top-notch professionals, I encourage you to contact the ABPS. When you do, ask about the eligibility requirements of the BCOS and its stringent but fair testing process.

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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