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Why ABPS?

Why ABPS?The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) was founded in 1952 in direct response to the scarcity of options in physician certification boards. This is how it happened: A group of osteopathic surgeons who had completed allopathic residencies applied for board certification through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), but they were denied because they had not completed osteopathic residencies. The surgeons then turned to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), but once again, they were rejected. This time, it wasn’t because they lacked osteopathic residency completion, but because they were, in fact, osteopathic doctors. So, the group decided to create a physician board certification entity that did not discriminate based on training but actually tested physicians’ knowledge of their chosen specialty. Today, that organization is known as the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS).

The ABPS recognizes licensed physicians who have shown, through testing and performance, mastery of their medical fields. We are committed to offering the highest standard of physician board certification that meets the health care needs of the public while helping physicians to achieve success in the evolving medical industry. As the multi-specialty board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS), we are one of three most prominent nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying entities in North America.

Since certifying our first physician in 1960, the ABPS has certified numerous extensively qualified and highly skilled physicians in traditional medical specialties such as dermatology, family medicine, and internal medicine. Notably, we are the only multi-specialty board that offers certification in family medicine obstetrics, as well as in emerging specialties such as disaster medicine and integrative medicine. Altogether, the ABPS offers physician board certification in numerous specialties.

Inspired by our non-discriminatory approach to board certification, the ABPS works to provide practicing physicians in a range of medical fields with an opportunity to demonstrate their base of knowledge, professional skill, and commitment to continuous education and training. Physicians who have achieved ABPS board certification have met our strict eligibility requirements and have undergone psychometrically validated exams developed under the most rigorous industry standards. As expected, only the most talented physicians with the deepest level of dedication become ABPS-board certified.

By hiring ABPS-board certified physicians, health care leaders send a positive message to patients, who often make decisions about their care and healing based on the credentials of a hospital’s or clinic’s physicians. When treated by Diplomates of the ABPS, patients can be confident that they will receive the best health care possible. ABPS Diplomates also provide fellow staffers firm assurance that they are working alongside medical professionals with exceptional abilities who strive to remain updated about new and effective techniques and treatment methods. Supported by a solid foundation of experience and training, and buoyed by the respect of their peers and the fellowship of practitioners, ABPS Diplomates are well-positioned to shape the course of the medical profession for years to come.

For more information about the ABPS, or to learn more about the benefits of certification through one of our Member Boards, contact us today. At the ABPS, we put patients first, not the business or politics of medicine.

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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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