Chicago, IL; October 27, 2025: The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) announced today that it has formally submitted its request for approval of a new Focused Practice designation in Lifestyle Medicine from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Focused Practice designations acknowledge the valuable contributions of physicians who concentrate their work within a particular area of their specialty or subspecialty, supporting the continuous improvement of health care. It reflects how physicians’ practices grow and change beyond their initial certification.
A Focused Practice designation would recognize scientific foundations of Lifestyle Medicine training and practice and establish it among ABMS-recognized practice areas.
“Lifestyle Medicine, a burgeoning field with increasing influence in recent years, impacts nearly every area of medical practice. ABPM is proud to be at the forefront of recognizing Lifestyle Medicine practitioners’ skills and expertise,” said ABPM Chair, Heather O’Hara, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, FACPM. “We’re excited to begin the process that can lead to a Focused Practice designation in this important and growing area.”
ABMS’ Committee on Certification (COCERT) will consider ABPM’s request at its March 23, 2026, meeting, following a public comment period. During this period, stakeholders may review the proposal and leave comments on the COCERT Invites Comments web page. If approved by COCERT, the Lifestyle Medicine Focused Practice designation proposal will be reviewed by the ABMS Board of Directors at its June 18, 2026, meeting.
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; Medical Toxicology; and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.