Greetings! Thank you once again for opening and reading ABPM’s newsletter this month. As we move into the cooler months of Fall, I hope you are able to take some time for friends, family, and yourself.
Fall is “exam season” for ABPM. Our Board and Staff have been busy preparing for the 2020 certification exam cycle. ABPM saw the largest group of applicants in its history this year! Plus, we’ve been especially busy adjusting for COVID by preparing and administering not just traditional in-person exams but also offering a remotely proctored option for initial certification. No easy feat! And this year, the testing window has an extra week from October 7 through November 1. Best of luck, candidates!
Again, due to COVID, the Board of Directors had its first virtual meeting in August. While not quite the same as coming together in person, we were still able to get plenty of work done. One of the best parts of board meetings is selecting and welcoming new members! Two new members have joined the ranks of the Board of Directors as of August: Mr. George Roberts took his position as ABPM’s first-ever public member, and Dr. Laurie Gesell was selected as the new Chair of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Sub-Board. We are glad to have them both and look forward to working with them!
The August meeting also marked the end of Dr. Brett Hart’s tenure as Chair of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Sub-Board. Dr. Hart’s dedication to the subspecialty is apparent to all, and we will certainly miss his presence and insight on the Board.
As my tenure as Chair ends next year, the Board also had to select my successor! ABPM is pleased to announce that Dr. Wendy Braund is the Chair-Elect, meaning she will take my place as Board Chair at the end of my term in 2021. The Board will be in good hands with Dr. Braund! Congratulations.
The entire Board is very proud that one of our own Directors, Dr. Carolyn Murray, was recently awarded the Ronald Davis Award by the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM). We are so pleased to see Dr. Murray’s hard work for and outstanding contributions to Preventive Medicine recognized by the ACPM. Read more about Dr. Murray in this issue!
The Board is extremely proud of all our Preventive peers during this tough year. As always, ABPM Diplomates are stepping up to the challenge of patient and population care during a global pandemic. One of them, Dr. Fred Rottneck, shared his experience of treating people suffering from addiction during the COVID-19 outbreak. You’ll find his story below.
We invite you to share your own stories! From how you are coping with the fallout of the pandemic to career achievements and exciting research, we would love to hear about it and share it with the ABPM community! Simply respond to this email or click here to share!
One more thing – don’t forget that the ABPM is offering current Diplomates a waiver to transitional MOC Parts 2 and 4 requirements, effective now through December 31, 2022. I strongly encourage you to read the announcement at https://www.abpm-us.org/2020/04/10/the-american-board-of-preventive-medicine-reduces-transitional-moc-requirements-in-response-to-covid-19-outbreak/ and to make sure you have set up your diplomate account on the Physician Portal. As always, ABPM staff are happy to help you with any questions you have; contact them.
Thanks for reading! On behalf of the Board and Staff of ABPM, we wish you good health and all the best the Fall season has to offer!
Respectfully,
Hernando “Joe” Ortega, Jr., MD, MPH