Greetings and best wishes from all of us at ABPM for a wonderful summer, hopefully spent traveling, enjoying time with friends and family, and doing all the things you’ve missed out on this past year!
I am looking forward to gathering in person with Directors and Staff of ABPM at the interim Board meeting next month in Chicago. It’s been two years since all of us have gotten together, and I am so grateful that I will be able to finish my tenure on the Board by seeing everyone in real life!
During my tenure as a Board member, I’ve seen the ABPM grow immensely: adding the subspecialties of Clinical Informatics and Addiction Medicine and welcoming thousands of new Diplomates. I’ve also seen a vast improvement in ABPM’s technological infrastructure.
I’d like to thank my predecessors, Drs. Denece Kesler and Tonette Krousel-Wood for setting ABPM on the pathway to modernization and expansion. I’d especially like to thank the ABPM’s Executive Director, Christopher Ondrula, JD, who has been an invaluable partner, improving Board processes, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic for our diplomates, overseeing the transition from the previous MOC program to a continuing certification program that is compliant with ABMS standards, and implementing innovative programs like the Clinical Informatics longitudinal assessment program (LAP) pilot. His work ethic and ability to develop and present options has kept your Board moving forward despite multiple challenges.
I’d also like to thank ABPM’s Chair-Elect, Dr. Wendy Braund, for her support and engagement. I’m pleased to pass the reins to her capable hands! You can read more about Dr. Braund’s work and recent accomplishments at https://www.abpm-us.org/2021/02/03/abpm-chair-elect-appointed-as-interim-acting-physician-general-of-pennsylvania/.
This issue of your ABPM newsletter is chock full of updates on the Board. We’re very excited to welcome three newly elected Board members who will be guests at the ABPM’s Board of Directors meeting in August. Their terms will begin immediately following the meeting. Read more about each of them below!
We are also seeking nominations for qualified physicians to fill two very important roles on the Board: a representative of the Public Health and General Preventive Medicine specialty and the Sub-board Chair for Clinical Informatics. Learn about the qualifications for these roles and how to nominate yourself or someone else in this issue!
Be sure to keep reading for a link to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) draft standards for continuing certification. The draft standards define the “rules” that all ABMS member boards (including the ABPM) must abide by in their own continuing certification programs. I urge all of you to review the draft standards and send your feedback to ABMS. Your perspective is critical because the standards ABMS sets in place will ultimately shape ABPM’s continuing certification program. We need all of you to make your opinion on continuing certification count!
Lastly, we’re sharing an update on the Clinical Informatics longitudinal assessment program (LAP) pilot, which was launched April 1, 2021. We’re pleased with the participation so far in this new and innovative program. Thank you to our Clinical Informatics diplomates for being the guinea pigs and for engaging in this important endeavor!
I’d like to close by expressing again my sincere gratitude to the Board and the Staff of ABPM, many of whom have become friends during my nine-year stint here. It’s bittersweet to be leaving this Board, but I’m certain that ABPM has a bright future, confident of its continued upward trajectory. I wish all the best to my friends and colleagues – ‘til we meet again! Godspeed ABPM.
Respectfully,
Hernando “Joe” Ortega, Jr., MD, MPH