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ABPS Member Boards Serve Qualified Osteopathic and Allopathic Physicians

Osteopathic Physicians

The Member Boards of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS®) serve qualified osteopathic, as well as allopathic, physicians. In fact, the origin of the parent company of the ABPS, the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc., is closely linked with the osteopathic community. The original name of the organization, which was founded in 1950, was the American Association of Osteopathic Surgeons. It was founded in Joplin, Mo., by Dr. E.O. Martin, and has evolved to become one of the largest and most prestigious multi-specialty certifying bodies in North America.

Eligibility Requirements for ABPS Certification

When it comes to eligibility requirements, the Member Boards of the ABPS make no distinction between a D.O. and an M.D. The eligibility requirements for all of the medical specialties are equally stringent, regardless of the physician’s choice in medical training. What this means is, neither an osteopathic physician nor a medical doctor receives an inherent advantage from ABPS Member Boards. Certification requirements vary by specialty, but all ABPS Member Boards adhere to several general criteria:

  • Adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics, maintaining ethical conduct within the profession, and active participation in the desired specialty.
  • Completion of medical education at an accredited U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic medical college.
  • Holding a valid and unrestricted medical license to practice in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

Physician Board Certification Serves as a Mark of Distinction

What does it mean for an allopathic or osteopathic physician to achieve board certification through an ABPS Member Board? To begin with, it demonstrates a mastery of the core competencies required to provide the finest medical care available. It means a physician is among the best and brightest within his or her chosen specialty. It means that he or she belongs to a distinguished community of like-minded physicians who prioritize the advancement of patient care and safety, rather than the business of medicine.

The ABPS Encourages Qualified Physicians to Apply for Certification

If you are a licensed physician exploring board certification options, consider applying to one of our Member Boards. We offer a diverse array of certification options, from established fields like family medicine and dermatology to newer areas like interventional pain management and integrative medicine, along with other specialties such as disaster medicine, family medicine obstetrics, and orthopedic surgery. Backed by the strongest standards of ethics and integrity in the medical community, the ABPS is dedicated to helping qualified physicians provide the best care possible. For more information about our certification policies, contact the ABPS.

 

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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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