American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Member Boards highlight diplomates with long careers, volunteers’ efforts, and ABMS Visiting Scholars’ work, all in effort to promote professionalism across the specialties.
The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) has been acknowledging emergency medicine physicians who are board certified for 30-plus years since its 35th anniversary year in 2014. ABEM announces the list and posts it on the website each spring, thanking the physicians for their dedication to the specialty, commitment to caring for acutely ill and injured patients, and recognition of the value of board certification. The physicians receive a special certificate commemorating the event.
Additionally, in 2022 ABEM launched a public campaign about the importance of board certification with such themes as Board-certified emergency physicians – prepared for your emergency. The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) plans to improve the visibility of preventive medicine specialties and subspecialties, capitalizing on its high ratings as one of the best medical specialties for work/life balance. ABPM’s new Ambassador Council, a group of former directors of the Board, will share their experiences as preventive medicine physicians with medical students, mid-career physicians, and others to support ongoing efforts of advocating for ABPM’s specialties and subspecialties. The American Board of Surgery recently began recognizing volunteers with letters that can be shared with their institution to illustrate the important work that they do for the board and the specialty.
Each year, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) publicizes first-time volunteers as well as those who have anniversaries in five-year increments. Their names are announced in ABOS’ e-newsletter, on social media, and on a large poster at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery’s annual meeting. One physician recently celebrated his 40th anniversary of volunteering while another received accolades for 35 years of volunteering.
The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) has featured exemplars on its website and awarded volunteers for their service. ABPMR even created the Decade Achievement Award to honor volunteers who have dedicated at least 10 consecutive years of service to ABPMR. The first group of recipients was recognized at the Fall Item Writing Workshop in 2024. Of the 34 recipients, 16 volunteers were present at the workshop to receive a certificate and special gift presented on behalf of the ABPMR Board by Vice Chair Jeffery Johns, MD, and Executive Director Carolyn Kinney, MD. The volunteers included senior reviewers, item writers, vignette writers, and oral examiners. ABPMR also publicizes the research of its ABMS Visiting Scholars, who will present at an upcoming exam development workshop.
The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology has promoted professionalism by issuing statements in support of board certified obstetricians and gynecologists who practice science-based medicine that aligns with professional standards and adhering to such standards during trying times. The board’s statements include: Significance of Certification and Professional Behaviors, Professionalism and Professional Standing Policy and Patient Transfers, and ABOG Statement Regarding Our Ever-Changing Environment.
From a long career to early-career physicians’ research, Member Boards are acknowledging professionalism among board certified physicians and championing it across the medical specialties.
© 2025 American Board of Medical Specialties
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