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Physician Leadership is Growing in Importance

One of the biggest changes to American healthcare in the 21st century has been the rapid growth in the need for physician leaders with business-oriented skillsets. Historically, physicians have been able to focus the lion’s share of their time on patient care, worrying less about day-to-day management and more about ensuring that their patients were as healthy as possible. However, as the healthcare sector has increasingly centralized and competition grown fierce, it is critical that physicians in leadership positions have the formal training needed to manage their private practices, hospitals, and even large healthcare organizations.

At the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), we recognize the growing importance of physicians having not only extensive medical training but also significant expertise in the business side of medicine. As a result, we developed the American Board of Administrative Medicine® (ABAM) – the nation’s first board dedicated solely to providing board certification in administrative medicine. For generations, board certification has been the single most trusted indicator of a physician’s expertise, and we are pleased to provide this same standard of recognition to physicians with extensive business experience.

What It Takes to Earn Board Certification With the ABAM

To be eligible, physician candidates must meet all of the ABPS eligibility requirements, which include:

  • Being in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the ABPS, being known in the community as an ethical member of the profession, and being an active practitioner in the specialty for which you’re seeking certification
  • Having graduated from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine. International graduates must also hold a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.
  • Holding a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada.

Candidates for ABAM certification must also have one of the following:

  • A master’s degree in business administration, health administration, medical administration, or another advanced degree in healthcare management/administration

-or-

  • At least five years of cumulative experience in an administrative position that includes additional training in management-related functions consistent with core competencies outlined in the exam blueprint
  • Healthcare management certification that includes the Certified Physician Executive (CPE) or American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) certifications
  • At least two years of cumulative experience in an administrative position and currently enrolled in a master’s program in Business Administration, Medical Management, Health Administration, or another advanced degree in healthcare management/administration

After applicants are deemed eligible, they must pass a computer-based written exam in order to earn board certification in administrative medicine. You can find information about dates and fees for the application and the exam here.

Once granted, all ABPS certificates are good for eight years, expiring on December 31st of the eighth year.

ABAM Certification Recognizes Your Business Experience

As the delivery model of healthcare has grown increasingly complex in the 21st century, healthcare organizations have begun to recognize the need for physician leaders who are not only excellent doctors but also have the skillset necessary to manage daily operations, oversee future growth, and navigate changes in healthcare policy.

At the ABAM, we provide an opportunity for physician leaders to have their business experience recognized. Our Diplomates are part of a community of fellow physician leaders who share career opportunities, collaborate on best practices, and work together to help steer forward the healthcare sector as a whole. To learn more, contact us 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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