Happy New Year! I hope you have enjoyed a happy and fun-filled holiday season. Thank you for reading the first issue of ABPM’s newsletter in 2026!
ABPM concluded its first year of the Longitudinal Assessment Program (LAP) on December 31 and I am so grateful for the engagement of so many of our diplomates! I truly appreciate your participation in ABPM’s programs that exemplifies your commitment to lifelong learning and your dedication to the principles of board certification – a promise to the patients and populations you serve to remain up-to-date on current topics, continuously hone your skills, and refresh your knowledge.
We’re looking forward to the LAP’s second year in 2026. During this pilot phase of the LAP, which extends through 2029, ABPM is collecting data and feedback to inform any needed revisions to the program, with the goal of delivering a relevant, flexible, and meaningful LAP for all specialties and subspecialties when the final version launches in 2030. With that in mind, please respond to the survey you will receive in the coming weeks and feel free to share your comments with us throughout the year as you answer LAP questions. We want your feedback to be included during this process to ensure we are achieving the needs of our diplomates!
In this issue of the newsletter, we are proud to share an interview with ABPM diplomate, Dr. John Clarke. Certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dr. Clarke not only discusses his always-varied day-to-day work as an OEM physician, but about the unique way he communicates important health and safety topics. Please don’t skip our interview with him!
As always we encourage our diplomates to share their experience practicing an ABPM specialty or subspecialty, as well as any ideas or feedback. Please reach out to us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
Finally, I’d like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all members of ABPM’s community for a happy and healthy new year!
Yours in good health,
Heather O’Hara, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, FACPM