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Frank Nocilla, MD, On What It’s Like to Certify in Internal Medicine With the ABPS

Frank Nocilla, MDI’m a private practitioner in internal medicine in Tupper Lake, New York, as well as a critical care flight physician. I chose to specialize in internal medicine because internists have many options for further specialization in other areas of internal medicine, such as cardiology, pulmonary/critical care, oncology, hematology, and endocrinology— subspecialties that require physicians to have completed an internal medicine residency.

As with choosing their medical fields, it’s important that physicians have choices for specialty board certification. Just think, prior to the availability of internal medicine board certification through the American Board of Physician Specialists® (ABPS), the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) was the only certifying body in the specialty and, as such, had a “free hand” in their ability to limit the number of internists. ABIM exams posed irrelevant questions of minimal real-world clinical significance and lasted two days, testing the stamina and patience of candidates, if nothing else.

On the other hand, internal medicine certification with the ABPS Member Board, the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM), tests the candidate’s real-world skills and knowledge. That’s why earning BCIM certification proves—without regard to preserving the economics of already established internists—that a successful candidate is grounded in clinically oriented concepts of internal medicine.

The BCIM is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a leading choice for internal medicine certification, and virtually all of the major third-party insurance carriers, including Medicare and Medicaid, recognize the BCIM. This recognition, besides contradicting the few state boards that do not recognize the BCIM, is important because these third-party payers play a huge role in the economics of hospitals, medical clinics, and medical practices.

Undoubtedly, BCIM certification has helped my career, allowing me to meet the eligibility requirement for several positions that need board certification in internal medicine. It also helped me to advance in subspecialties such as a hospitalist and critical care specialist, providing a rock-solid base for practicing disaster medicine and working as a critical care flight physician.

I strongly encourage any physician seeking board certification in internal medicine to apply with the BCIM. The benefits are wide-ranging. Study clinically relevant material and then take the test. Don’t delay! Career advancement awaits!

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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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