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American Board of Disaster Medicine® (ABODM®)

Disaster Medicine Board Certification We can’t always predict disasters, but we can prepare for them. It is incumbent upon physicians to be as prepared as possible if and when they are needed during disasters that affect the entire community, so it makes good sense for physicians to consider disaster medicine a second specialty. That’s because when disaster strikes, physicians from all specialties are called into action, and it is important for them to know what to do in a time of a disaster. Everyone affected – from victims to emergency responders to government officials – will depend on physicians to treat injuries, to coordinate relief, and to help lay the groundwork for recovery.

The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is the only multi-specialty physician certification body to offer disaster medicine certification and recertification through its Member Board, the American Board of Disaster Medicine (ABODM). Our commitment to helping physicians prepare themselves in case of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, pandemic outbreaks, terrorist attacks, and other natural and manmade disasters led to the creation of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine® (AADM®).  The goal of the AADM® is to educate physicians and healthcare professionals about the importance of disaster medicine preparedness in the healthcare community. Disaster medicine certification reinforces to federal, state, and local government officials that disaster certified physicians are qualified to contribute to relief and recovery after a disaster. Ideally, every hospital should have at least one physician who is certified in disaster medicine.

Eligibility requirements for disaster medicine certification from the ABPS are rigorous. See eligibility requirements here. After applicants are deemed eligible, they must successfully complete a computer-based examination. This written exam consists of 200 multiple-choice items and is administered over a four-hour session. For information about dates and fees for the application and the written exam, click here.

Disaster medicine certification focuses on the knowledge and skills a physician will need to have in order to become a recognized leader in the four primary stages of disaster preparation and management: planning, coordination, execution, and debriefing.

Certification allows a physician to demonstrate expertise in the core competencies related to disaster planning and response, including:

  • A basic knowledge of the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System
  • The importance of safety in disaster responses, including protective equipment, decontamination, and site security
  • The principles of triage in a disaster setting
  • The clinical competence to provide effective care with extremely limited resources
  • Understanding of psychological first aid and caring for responders

To learn more about disaster medicine certification through the ABODM, contact the American Board of Physician Specialties today.

ABPS Featured Articles
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Emergency Physician Shortages Worsening in Rural America
The number of emergency medicine physicians in the United States has increased in the past few years. But for rural areas, the reality is quite the opposite. Rural communities have experienced ER staffing shortages for several years now, and the problem is expected to worsen as a generation of rural doctors retires.
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The Clinical Observations of ABPS Diplomate Frank Nocilla, MD, During DMAT Deployments for COVID-19
DMAT Teams (Disaster Medical Assistance Teams) have been called to respond to smaller hospitals along the U.S.-Mexico border that have been overwhelmed by the volume of patients infected by the COVID-19 virus and the degree of illness progression.
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BCIM Is a Competitive Board Certification Choice for Internists
If you are an internal medicine physician researching board certification options, you should know that the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM) offers qualified and experienced internists certification in the specialty.
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We're Committed to Matching Physician Recruiters to ABPS Board Certified Physicians

Medical recruiters can submit job openings to the ABPS Career Center free of charge. Openings are distributed digitally through the ABPS Career Bulletin, a trusted resource for ABPS board-certified physicians and other practitioners considering a career change. Physicians will be able to browse job openings by specialty. The ABPS performs this valuable service as part of our mission to help improve patient care throughout the country.

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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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