Chicago, IL, June 22, 2023: The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) is pleased to announce that Duncan G. Hughes, MD, MPH, will headline ABPM’s 75th Anniversary Gala as its keynote speaker. ABPM is hosting the Gala in Chicago on August 12, 2023.

After having spent nearly 28 years serving in the United States Air Force, Dr. Hughes became the Medical Director of HealthWorks, an Occupational Medicine practice that supports an 8,500-person hospital system. Subsequently, in October 2022, he joined Virgin Galactic as its Chief Medical Officer. In this position, he leads the development and implementation of medical assessments, standards, policies, and procedures to ensure the health and safety of flight crews and to provide effective care before, during, and after space flights.

Dr. Hughes maintains ABPM Certification in both Aerospace Medicine and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He is also certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

“As a dual-boarded ABPM Diplomate who also has experience as a public health emergency officer, Dr. Hughes will provide a unique perspective, not only on the value of ABPM Certification, but also on the exciting work of Space Medicine that so many of our Diplomates engage in today,” said ABPM Chair, Wendy E. Braund, MD, MPH, MSEd, FACPM. “ABPM Diplomates serve in diverse leadership positions at a variety of organizations. Many – including Aerospace Medicine physicians like Dr. Hughes who are establishing protocols for commercial and private spaceflight safety – are reaching to the leading edge of science to protect the health of specific populations and the American people at large. We are incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Hughes as the Gala’s keynote speaker and anticipate his address highly.”

The ABPM’s 75th Anniversary Gala will take place on the evening of Saturday, August 12, 2023, aboard the motor-yacht Chicago Elite, embarking from Navy Pier to cruise on Lake Michigan and treat attendees to stunning views of the world-famous Chicago skyline. In addition to Dr. Hughes’ keynote speech, the evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and dancing in celebration of the ABPM’s first 75 years.

The 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 the ABPM in the specialties of Aerospace Medicine, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, and Public Health & General Preventive Medicine; and in the subspecialties of Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Medical Toxicology, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.