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Physicians Wanting a Voice in Board Certification Choose ABPS

Physicians Voice ABPSAt the American Board of Physician Specialties®, we offer a choice to physicians who want their voices to be heard. We are the nation’s third largest physician certifying body, and we have Diplomates in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Canada, which means our network of physicians is robust, diverse, and highly qualified. When you earn board certification from the ABPS, you’ll be a member of a like-minded community who shares your passion and enthusiasm for patient care and is committed to working together to improve the North American healthcare system.

ABPS Board Certification: A Rigorous Process for a Coveted Distinction

Make no mistake, earning board certification from one of the 12 specialty boards at the ABPS is a rigorous process. We believe that board certification should be reserved for physicians who can demonstrate mastery of their specialties, and our eligibility requirements are designed to ensure that the very best physicians earn this coveted designation. Yet, one of the clear benefits of board certification is that the large group of physicians who have successfully completed this process are unified by a shared enthusiasm for their specialty and have the opportunity to work together – and attain leadership positions in the industry – to ensure that patient care always predominates over the business side of medicine. We also work hard to hear the individual voices of each of our members and are committed to sharing best practices, successes, and bold ideas with the members at large to help our community learn from the unique experiences of others.

ABPS Diplomates Are Members of a Well-Represented Network of Physicians

In addition to fostering healthy internal communication among our Diplomates, the ABPS is also a strong advocate in the community for our board-certified physicians. We tirelessly work to establish relationships with healthcare organizations, hospital groups, legislators, and other stakeholders to ensure that core beliefs of our community are heard. It’s just another reason why physicians who want their voices to be heard continue to turn to the American Board of Physician Specialties.

Why the ABPS Stands Out Among Certification Boards

The ABPS is the only physician certification board in the U.S. that certifies doctors in new specialties like integrative medicine, family medicine obstetrics, and interventional pain management. This approach shows our commitment to recognizing and advancing new medical fields. Additionally, the ABPS offers a unique certification pathway for emergency medicine physicians with primary care backgrounds through an innovative fellowship program. This strategy effectively fills a notable gap in the certification landscape, marking the ABPS as a leader in providing specialized recognition for exceptional physicians across various specialties.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

The ABPS maintains stringent eligibility criteria, which vary by specialty but include several requirements shared across all ABPS Member Boards. These are:

  • Adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics, a reputation for ethical practice within the community, and active engagement in the specialty area where certification is sought.
  • Completion of medical education from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic medical school. International medical graduates must also possess a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.
  • Possession of a valid and unrestricted medical license to practice in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

For more information about the many benefits to board certification through the American Board of Physician Specialties and the ways we help our Diplomates’ voices be heard, 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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