Chicago, IL, March 2, 2026: ABMS announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a new subspecialty in Disaster Medicine, with the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) serving as a co-sponsoring board.
The subspecialty of Disaster Medicine involves the care of patients and populations outside of traditional care protocols. Physicians practicing Disaster Medicine both provide care for disaster survivors and mitigate harm to populations through disaster planning, preparation, and recovery.
“As the number of disasters, both natural and man-made, increase around the world, a well-trained medical workforce is crucial. This includes physicians with the specialized knowledge, skills and experience not only to effectively care for affected populations but also to employ measures that prevent and mitigate disaster-related harm,” said Heather O’Hara, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, FACPM. “Preventive Medicine specialists have the population health expertise that position them well to both prepare for and respond to disasters. ABPM applauds ABMS’ approval of the Disaster Medicine subspecialty and looks forward to offering this certification to qualified ABPM diplomates.”
The approval of the new subspecialty reflects the collaboration of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and ABPM. The three boards will establish a program for physicians to achieve certification in Disaster Medicine. ABPM will share additional information on eligibility requirements for the Disaster Medicine certification exam as it becomes available. For updates, please check the ABPM website at www.theabpm.org.
ABPM is an ABMS Member Board. Founded in 1948, ABPM works with the ABMS in the development of standards for the ongoing assessment and certification of over 12,000 physicians certified by ABPM in the specialties of Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine; and in the specialties of Addiction Medicine; Clinical Informatics; Health Care Administration, Leadership, and Management; and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.