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Why Is Choice in Physician Board Certification Important?

Having a choice in the physician you see to treat your illness or a choice at which hospital a family member receives medical care strikes many Americans as a fundamental right. We all want good options when it comes to our medical care. For physicians, that principle applies to board certification. Yet when some physicians seek certification, they unwittingly limit their options by giving serious consideration to only the most recognizable organizations. Name recognition has given rise to an unfortunate state of affairs in which physicians have denied themselves a widely respected and nationally recognized choice—the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS).

The ABPS Offers Unique Physician Certification Options

The ABPS is one of three nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying organizations in North America, and just like the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the ABPS offers unique advantages. Many integrative medicine physicians would agree. That’s because the ABPS is the only multi-specialty certifying board in the United States to offer integrative medicine board certification. We are also the only multi-specialty board that offers certification in other emerging specialties, such as family medicine obstetrics and disaster medicine.

Career emergency medicine physicians also have much to like about the ABPS. In the past, those who trained in a primary care field but wanted industry recognition for their emergency room expertise were ineligible for certification in emergency medicine. But, through the ABPS’ emergency medicine fellowship program, those professionals have a pathway to certification in the specialty.

Altogether, the ABPS has 12 Member Boards and Diplomates in 20 specialties, and these top-notch physicians practice at some of the nation’s most renowned medical institutions.

Advantages of ABPS Certification

The application process for ABPS certification is understandably rigorous. Candidates for certification must meet several eligibility requirements and pass a comprehensive specialty exam. Once certified, physicians must complete several hours of continuing medical education annually. It’s no surprise that ABPS-certified physicians are also widely viewed as leaders in their fields. As for other career benefits, consider that certification with an ABPS Member Board:

  • Makes physicians more marketable to potential employers
  • Enables physicians to gain opportunities for career advancement, which can lead to increased earning potential
  • Fosters recognition and respect from medical colleagues
  • Gives doctors a meaningful voice as valued members of the healthcare community

A Big Tent Approach to Board Certification

At the ABPS, our non-discriminatory and pragmatic approach has endured since the ABPS’ founding in 1952, and today the ABPS remains committed to helping physicians gain personal and professional advancement while meeting increasing demands for patient care. The ABPS believes that qualified physicians merit recognition for their knowledge and experience and should have an informed choice about which board certification best reflects their values and career goals.

If you would like to learn more about the ABPS, contact us today. We would be happy to give you more details, including eligibility requirements for physician certification with one of our Member Boards.

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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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