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Why My Board Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics is Important to Me

Fellowship programs in family medicine obstetrics were created to address the shortage of physicians who have completed residency training in the specialty, a shortage that impacts rural areas in particular. Fellowships are renowned for providing rigorous, hands-on training, yet fellowship-trained physicians continue to face barriers to their professional development based on a lack of recognition for their expertise.

This situation is exacerbated as more healthcare organizations and insurance groups mandate board certification for physicians. That’s why the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) established the Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics® (BCFMO). The BCFMO recognizes that physicians who practice the specialty provide full OB care as part of their family practices. Therefore, the BCFMO gives qualified practitioners an opportunity to show that they indeed possess the skills and knowledge to provide patients with the highest quality of care and treatment.

A Physician’s Experience with the BCFMO

Catherine Avery Lavender, MD, knows firsthand the value of certification through the BCFMO. “After finishing a fellowship in advanced obstetrics in 2004,” Dr. Lavender explained, “I joined a practice and shared call with both family medicine obstetricians (FM-OBs) and OB-GYNs. The hospital was very supportive of FM-OBs and I easily obtained privileges. Four years later, however, the OB-GYNs in my call group decided to obtain privileges at a second hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital administration decided that fellowship completion and years of surgical experience were not sufficient proof of my ability to provide excellent obstetric care. Thankfully, when I presented my board certification in family medicine obstetrics, they accepted it and granted me privileges in surgical obstetrics. BCFMO certification was instrumental in obtaining privileges at this second hospital.”

Eligibility Requirements of the BCFMO

The BCFMO offers two types of certification in family medicine obstetrics— surgical qualification certification and non-surgical certification.

Certification with surgical qualification has two paths—clinical practice and fellowship.

For the clinical practice track, candidates must complete an accredited ACGME, AOA, or CFPC residency, or an AOA internship, along with an AOA general medicine residency. Additionally, they must demonstrate that they have performed at least 60 vaginal deliveries and 70 cesarean section deliveries, with 15 vaginal and 10 cesareans performed in the last two years.

For the fellowship track, candidates must have completed within the past five years a 12-month, full-time fellowship recognized by the BCFMO. They should also have performed at least 60 vaginal deliveries and 70 cesareans, with 15 vaginal and 10 cesareans performed in the last two years. You can find a list of BCFMO-recognized fellowships here.

Non-surgical certification requires a log of non-surgical deliveries.

Once deemed eligible, applicants must pass both a written and oral examination for BCFMO certification. These rigorous exams are developed by experts in the field to ensure that only committed physicians skilled in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology become BCFMO-certified.

Once granted, BCFMO certification is good for eight years, expiring on December 31st of the final year.

How Certification From an ABPS Member Board Benefits Physicians

Board certification is a recognized mark of excellence within a physician’s field of expertise, and at the ABPS, our Diplomates are among the most highly regarded medical professionals in North America. Certification from a Member Board like the BCFMO offers physicians the opportunity to:

  • Become part of an esteemed community focused on advancing patient care and safety.
  • Share clinical experiences and best practices with peers.
  • Access numerous leadership opportunities within the community.
  • Play a significant role as a valued member of the community.

To learn more about how the BCFMO can help physicians expand their career opportunities, as it did for Dr. Lavender, whether through obtaining hospital privileges or employment, contact the ABPS 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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