Greetings! Thank you for browsing through the July 2020 issue of ABPM’s newsletter. This month has some good stuff.
All of us at ABPM wish you health, safety, and happiness as we drift into the lazy days of “COVID summer.” We applaud the efforts of the medical professionals – doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers – in all specialties as they have toiled tirelessly in all aspects of the fight against COVID-19.
You may have already seen the ABPM policy updates made for both initial certification and continuing certification in light of the pandemic. I think the most important (and unique) one is that the ABPM will be offering this year’s candidates the option of taking initial certification exams either in-person at Prometric testing facilities or via “live” remote proctoring administered conveniently in the candidate’s home or office. You can find more details on how to apply for ABPM certification and register for the initial certification exams by visiting the ABPM’s website at www.theabpm.org.
ABPM is also making allowances with more flexible deadlines for residents and fellows whose training has been interrupted by COVID-19. ABPM is also providing relief to current Diplomates by drastically reducing transitional MOC 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/. As always, ABPM staff are happy to help you with any questions you have; contact them.
In this issue, you’ll read about ABPM’s exciting plan to pilot a new longitudinal assessment program. Initiated in response to both diplomates’ feedback on the current MOC program as well as draft requirements received from the American Board of Medical Specialties, we hope that this program will prove to be a flexible, convenient and relevant alternative to the traditional high-stakes exam, while providing you with helpful feedback and the opportunity to focus your educational efforts.
Another interesting development is that the number of applications we have received for the 2020 exam cycle has exceeded both the 2018 and 2019 exam cycles! This is a testament to the importance of Preventive Medicine practice which has most certainly been highlighted by the hard work and dedication of those ABPM diplomates that have been in the trenches during the COVID-19 outbreak. The ABPM’s Credentialing Manager, Diane Landahl, has been hard at work processing applications while our volunteer Board reviewers are keeping busy reading through and making decisions on each individual application. The Board is grateful to both staff and volunteers for their efforts to ensure timely and thorough reviews of all applications!
Speaking of Directors, I hope you read on in this issue for profiles of two of my esteemed colleagues, Dr. Cheryl Lowry and Dr. Beth Baker. Dr. Baker has recently been elected as President of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and below offers her perspective on board certification and tells us about her background in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Lowry, certified in Aerospace Medicine and Occupational and Environmental Medicine, has gone on a number of missions to Antarctica. She shares details of her most recent trip, as well as photos!
In future issues, we’d love to share YOUR stories. What does Preventive Medicine mean to you? How has your practice changed during the pandemic? Have you been directly involved with the fight against COVID-19: treating sick patients or working behind the scenes to slow the spread or develop prevention strategies, or anything in between? Simply respond to this message or click here! We would love to hear from you and let the ABPM community – and even the larger community of board-certified physicians – know about your work!
Thank you for reading! On behalf of the Board and Staff of ABPM, I hope you have a healthy, safe, and FUN summer.
Respectfully,
Hernando “Joe” Ortega, Jr., MD, MPH