annual report
201 2 - 2013
AMERICAN BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
ANNUAL REPORT
American Board of Emergency Medicine
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Board of Directors 2012–13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ABEM Committees and Task Forces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ABEM Involvement in Multi-organizational Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Senior Directors of the Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ABEM Presidents and Executive Directors – Years of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ABEM Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ABEM Maintenance of Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Board Activities and Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Internal Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Credentialing Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Development Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Evaluation Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Application and Examination Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Research Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Board Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
ABEM History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Acronyms Used in the Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Acronyms used in this Report are listed on page 51.
The ABEM Mission
To ensure high standards in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.
The ABEM Purposes
The ABEM purposes are:
• To improve the quality of emergency medical care.
• To establish and maintain high standards of excellence in Emergency Medicine and
subspecialties.
• To enhance medical education in the specialty of Emergency Medicine and related
subspecialties.
• To evaluate physicians and promote professional development through initial and
continuous certification in Emergency Medicine and its subspecialties.
• To enhance the value of certification for ABEM diplomates.
• To serve the public and medical profession by reporting the certification status of the
diplomates of the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
1
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
John C. Moorhead, M.D., President
D
uring the past year, ABEM has
based on the knowledge, skills, and
continued to evolve from an
abilities (KSAs) required by
organization focused on periodic
emergency physicians to perform
testing to an organization promoting
their work. The KSAs were the result
continuous professional development.
of diplomate responses to questions
ABEM is, and always has been, focused
about their practice, and have been
on improving quality, which is reflected
borne out through validation studies.
in its continuing high standards for
All ABEM examinations continue to
certification, providing increased value to
be written and developed by clinically active
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) activities, and
emergency physicians, which assures a deep
increasing transparency to the public and
understanding of the practice of Emergency
diplomates.
Medicine (EM). ABEM will be implementing new
technology in its examinations, which will more
During the past year, the Board of Directors (BOD)
realistically reflect the practice of EM. For example,
provided a framework within which continuing
using videos of patient encounters and real-time
evolution can more efficiently and effectively take
vital sign monitoring in its enhanced oral
place by updating its mission statement and
examination, or ”eOral,” places more emphasis on
developing a new strategic plan. The new mission
candidate interaction and responses to patients.
statement, “To ensure high standards in the
There will therefore be less reliance on the
specialty of Emergency Medicine,” reflects ABEM’s
examiner, which will improve scoring consistency
emphasis on maintaining and increasing the
across cases and examiners.
quality—for both diplomates and the public—in
Possibly the most evident move enhancing quality
all aspects of its work.
for diplomates is the development of ABEM’s MOC
The move to continuous professional development
program. ABEM recognizes that diplomates are
does not mean that ABEM is de-emphasizing its
busy with patient care and already participate in
examinations. ABEM continues to maintain high
many patient safety and quality improvement
standards for certification; quality improvement is
activities. Acceptable activities for MOC Part IV—
reflected in the increasing psychometric rigor,
Assessment of Practice Performance (APP)—
relevance, and realism of its examinations. New
include Core Measures and PQRS protocols as
standards for ABEM certification examinations are
practice improvement (PI) activities.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
2
Similarly, most surveys used by hospitals to assess
While ABEM focuses on providing diplomates
communication (such as Press-Ganey and
added value with the activities associated with
CAHPS/HCAHPS) are acceptable APP
MOC, as an organization we are ultimately
communication/professionalism (CP) activities. A
accountable to the public. Maintaining high
free survey, available on the ABEM website, can be
standards ensures the public that ABEM diplomates
used by diplomates who do not have access to an
are high-quality physicians. Transparency about our
existing survey. Diplomates must only attest to
standards further bolsters that goal. We have
participating in these activities to fulfill these
increased two-way communication with program
requirements, and there is no associated cost.
directors, program coordinators, and residents in
an effort to provide information about the
ABEM attempts to provide added value to all of its
upcoming enhanced qualifying and oral certification
MOC activities. Low-cost continuing medical
examinations. Directors were present in booths at
education (CME) credit is available for completing
AAEM, ACEP, CORD, and SAEM conferences in
the 2011, 2012, or 2013 LLSA activities, as well as
order to answer questions, including those related to
for passing the oral certification or ConCert™
MOC, and assist diplomates attest to APP activities.
examinations. In 2012 and again in 2013, ABEM is
We hope to expand these activities in the future and
participating in the PQRS MOC additional
look forward to hearing your ideas.
Medicare reimbursement incentive program, which
allows diplomates who submit Medicare claims
I am very proud and thankful for the members of
and PQRS measures to receive an additional 0.5%
the Board and their ongoing contributions to
incentive if they participate in the ABEM MOC
ABEM. All our activities are enabled and facilitated
program “more frequently.”
by our tremendous staff led by our tireless
Executive Director, Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D. In this
Efforts are also underway to expand the scope of
era of tremendous change and growth, the culture
MOC opportunities for ABEM diplomates, for
of integrity, service, and respect is maintained in
example, by opening access of subspecialty LLSA tests
the partnership between the Board and the staff
to all diplomates regardless of whether they hold
and evidenced in every interaction with our
subspecialty certification, and having CME credit
candidates and diplomates. We are all ABEM!
associated with those activities. Additionally, ABEM,
along with the 23 other American Board of Medical
Specialties Member Boards, is explaining MOC and
the quality of the activities involved to other entities
such as federal, state, and local governments and
licensing and credentialing organizations.
3
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
American Board of Emergency Medicine
Board of Directors 2012-13
Richard N. Nelson, M.D., Columbus, Ohio
Immediate-Past-President
Professor and Vice-chair, Clinical Affairs
Department of Emergency Medicine
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Executive Committee
John C. Moorhead, M.D., Portland, Oregon
President
Professor, Emergency Medicine
Oregon Health and Science University
Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Services
OHSU and Doernbecher Hospitals
James H. Jones, M.D., Indianapolis, Indiana
President-Elect
Vice-chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Professor, Clinical Emergency Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Francis L. Counselman, M.D., Norfolk, Virginia
Secretary-Treasurer
Distinguished Professor of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School, and
Emergency Physicians of Tidewater
Barry N. Heller, M.D., Rolling Hills Estates, California
Member-at-Large
Assistant Director, Emergency Medicine
St. Mary Medical Center
Clinical Faculty
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
2012 - 2013 ABEM Board of Directors and Executive Director
Front row left to right: Robert W. Strauss, M.D.; Richard N. Nelson, M.D.,
Immediate-Past-President; Jill M. Baren, M.D.;
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.; Barry N. Heller, M.D., Member-at-Large;
Michael L. Carius, M.D.; Catherine A. Marco, M.D.; David A. Kramer, M.D.
Back row left to right: Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Executive Director;
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D.; Terry Kowalenko, M.D.; Robert L. Muelleman, M.D.;
John C. Moorhead, M.D., President; Robert W. Wahl, M.D.;
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D.; Francis L. Counselman, M.D.,
Secretary-Treasurer; James H. Jones, M.D., President-Elect
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
4
Board of Directors 2012-13 (continued)
Jill M. Baren, M.D., Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics
Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Chief of Emergency Services
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D., Louisville, Kentucky
Professor of Emergency Medicine
Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Vice Chief of Staff
University of Louisville Hospital
Emergency Physician
Emergency Medicine Physician Associates PSC,
Clark Memorial Hospital
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D., Denver, Colorado
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Denver Health Medical Center
University of Colorado at Denver Health
Director of SBIRT Services
Denver Health
Catherine A. Marco, M.D., Toledo, Ohio
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency
University of Toledo College of Medicine
Michael L. Carius, M.D., Stratford, Connecticut
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of
Traumatology and Emergency Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Norwalk Hospital
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D., Omaha, Nebraska
Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D., Stanford, California
Professor of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine
Associate Dean for Medical Student Life Advising
Stanford University
Terry Kowalenko, M.D., Ann Arbor, Michigan
Chair of Emergency Medicine
William Beaumont Health System
Professor of Emergency Medicine (appointment pending)
Oakland University William Beaumont
School of Medicine
Robert W. Strauss, M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio
Associate Director, Department of Emergency Medicine
The Christ Hospital
Adjunct Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Cincinnati
David A. Kramer, M.D., York, Pennsylvania
Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency
Vice Chair for Education, Department of
Emergency Medicine
York Hospital
Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of
Emergency Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine
Robert P. Wahl, M.D., Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Emergency Medicine Staff Physician
Detroit Receiving Hospital
5
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
ABEM Committees and Task Forces
Academic Affairs Committee
James H. Jones, M.D., Chair
David A. Kramer, M.D., Vice-Chair
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D.
Susan K. Adsit, Staff
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) Advisory Subcommittee of
the Test Administration Committee
Michael L. Carius, M.D., Chair
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Robert P. Wahl, M.D.
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
Anesthesiology CCM Workgroup
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Staff
Bylaws Committee
Michael L. Carius, M.D., Chair
Jill M. Baren, M.D.
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.
Marlene J. Soderstrom, M.H.S.A., Staff
Chief Examiner Subcommittee of
the Test Administration Committee
Robert W. Strauss, M.D., Chair
David A. Kramer, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
Clinical Ultrasound Task Force
Jill M. Baren, M.D., Chair,
ABEM Director
James H. Jones, M.D., ABEM Director
John L. Kendall, M.D., ACEP EUS
Section/SAEM
Resa E. Lewiss, M.D., ACEP EUS
Section/SAEM
John C. Moorhead, M.D.,
ABEM Director
Richard N. Nelson, M.D., ABEM
Director
Vicki E. Noble, M.D., ACEP EUS
Section/SAEM
Vivek S. Tayal, M.D., ACEP EUS
Section/SAEM
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Staff
Marlene J. Soderstrom, M.H.S.A., Staff
CME Task Force
James H. Jones, M.D., Chair
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
Kevin M. Klauer, D.O., ACEP
Lillian A. Oshva, M.D., AAEM
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D.
Timothy J. Dalton, Staff
Communications Committee
James H. Jones, M.D., Chair
Jill M. Baren, M.D.
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D.
Robert W. Strauss, M.D.
Susan K. Adsit, Staff
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
6
Credentials Committee
Catherine A. Marco, M.D., Chair
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D.
Robert P. Wahl, M.D.
Susan K. Adsit, Staff
EMS Examination Task Force
Terry Kowalenko, M.D., ABEM Liaison
Debra G. Perina, M.D.
(Senior Director), Interim Chair
Thomas Harold Blackwell, M.D.
Mary S. Bogucki, M.D.
Jane H. Brice, M.D.
Carol Anita Cunningham, M.D.
Theodore Richard Delbridge, M.D.
Marianne Gausche-Hill, M.D.
William C. Gerard, M.D.
Matthew C. Gratton, M.D.
Vincent N. Mosesso, Jr., M.D.
Ronald G. Pirrallo, M.D.
Peter T. Pons, M.D. (Senior Director)
Kathy J. Rinnert, M.D.
Ritu Sahni, M.D.
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
Examination Editors
Francis L. Counselman, M.D. (In-training)
Barry N. Heller, M.D. (Oral)
James H. Jones, M.D. (LLSA)
Terry Kowalenko, M.D. (Qualifying)
David A. Kramer, M.D. (Stimuli)
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D. (In-training)
Catherine A. Marco, M.D. (ConCert™)
J. Mark Meredith, M.D.
(Senior Director) (Qualifying)
Debra G. Perina, M.D. (Senior Director)
(EMS)
Peter T. Pons, M.D. (Senior Director) (EMS)
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D. (LLSA)
Robert W. Strauss, M.D. (Oral)
Robert P. Wahl, M.D. (ConCert™)
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
Executive Committee
John C. Moorhead, M.D., President
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.,
Immediate-Past-President
James H. Jones, M.D., President-Elect
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.,
Secretary-Treasurer
Barry N. Heller, M.D., Member-at-Large
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Staff
Final Appeals Panel
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
David A. Kramer, M.D.
Senior Directors as assigned
Susan K. Adsit, Staff
Finance Committee
Francis L. Counselman, M.D., Chair
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
Barry N. Heller, M.D.
James H. Jones, M.D.
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
John H. Diephouse, SPHR, Staff
MOC Committee
Michael L. Carius, M.D., Chair
Terry Kowalenko, M.D., Vice-Chair
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Robert W. Strauss, M.D.
Lauretta J. Fortune, M.B.A., Staff
Nominating Committee
James H. Jones, M.D., Chair
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Robert W. Strauss, M.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Staff
Oral Examination Chief Examiners
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Barry N. Heller, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Robert W. Strauss, M.D.
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
Research Committee
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D., Chair
Jill M. Baren, M.D.
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D.
Robert P. Wahl, M.D.
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
Stimulus Collection and
Review Panel
David A. Kramer, M.D., Chair
Hal J. Minnigan, M.D.
Jason C. Wagner, M.D.
Benson Yeh, M.D.
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D., Staff
7
Test Administration Committee
Barry N. Heller, M.D., Chair
Jill M. Baren, M.D.
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
James H. Jones, M.D.
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
David A. Kramer, M.D.
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Robert W. Strauss, M.D.
Robert P. Wahl, M.D.
Timothy J. Dalton, Staff
Test Development Committee
Richard N. Nelson, M.D., Chair
Francis L. Counselman, M.D., Vice-Chair
Jill M. Baren, M.D.
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D.
Barry N. Heller, M.D.
James H. Jones, M.D.
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
David A. Kramer, M.D.
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D.
Rebecca Smith-Coggins, M.D.
Robert W. Strauss, M.D.
Robert P. Wahl, M.D.
Timothy J. Dalton, Staff
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
ABEM Involvement in Multi-organizational Activities
ABMS-APPOINTED AND ELECTED
POSITIONS
During 2012-13, ABEM current and
senior directors and key staff served in a
variety of appointed and elected
positions within the ABMS. The
following list reflects Emergency
Medicine representation within the
ABMS as of May 2013.
Board of Directors3
John B. McCabe, M.D.
Immediate Past Chair (4/12–4/14)
Chair (3/10–4/12)
Vice Chair (3/08–3/10)
Member (3/05–3/08)
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Member (3/08–3/13)
Committee on Oversight and
Monitoring of MOC (COMMOC)
Terry Kowalenko, M.D.
First Term (4/13–4/16)
Joint Working Group on MOC CME
John C. Moorhead, M.D. (Began 2011)
Debra G. Perina, M.D. (Began 2011)
Committee on Research and
Evaluation Procedures (COREP)2
Rita Kay Cydulka, M.D.
Second term (3/10–4/13)
First term (3/06–3/10)
Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
Committee2
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Second term (3/10–4/13)
Chair (2012)
Chair-Elect (2011)
First Term (3/06–3/10)
Communicators Network
Susan K. Adsit
Michele R. Booher
Marlene J. Soderstrom, M.H.S.A.
Frances M. Spring
MeetNet
Cheryl P. Cardamoni, CMP
Database and Technology Advisory
Committee (DITAC)
J. Mark Meredith, M.D.
Second term (3/11–4/13)
First term (3/09–3/11)
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
Member (4/13–4/16)
Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors3
John B. McCabe, M.D.
Immediate Past Chair (4/12–4/14)
Chair (3/10–4/12)
Vice Chair (3/08–3/10)
Member (3/06–3/08)
ABMS/CMS Grouper Project
Robert P. Wahl, M.D.
Ambassadors Network
J. Mark Meredith, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D.
Board Staff Council (BSC)1
Susan K. Adsit
John H. Diephouse, SPHR
Lauretta J. Fortune, M.B.A.
Committee on Certification,
Subcertification, and Maintenance of
Certification (COCERT)
Jo Ellen Linder, M.D.
Second term (3/11–4/14)
First term (3/08–3/11)
Kerryanne B. Broderick, M.D.
First Term (4/13–4/16)
Finance and Audit Committee
(FINCO)
Jo Ellen Linder, M.D.
Second term (4/12–4/15)
First term (3/09–4/12)
Governance Committee2
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
First Term (4/12-4/15)
International Design Team
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D. (Began 2010)
Mark T. Steele, M.D. (Began 2010)
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D. (Began 2012)
Technical Advisory Committees
(TACs)
Examination Model Technical
Advisory Committee
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D. (Began 2010)
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
8
MOCNet
Michele R. Booher
Lauretta J. Fortune, M.B.A.
Marlene J. Soderstrom, M.H.S.A.
Psychometric Advisory Group
Robert C. Korte, Ph.D. (Began 2010)
Registry Phase II Design Team
Lauretta J. Fortune, M.B.A. (Began 2011)
Research & Education Foundation
(REF)
Board of Directors3
John B. McCabe, M.D.
Immediate Past Chair (4/12–4/14)
Chair (3/10–4/12)
Vice Chair (3/08–3/10)
Member (3/05–3/08)
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Second term (3/10–4/13)
First term (3/08–3/10)
Technology Network
John H. Diephouse, SPHR
Lauretta J. Fortune, M.B.A.
Jeffrey S. Smith
Marlene J. Soderstrom, M.H.S.A.
ABEM Involvement in Multi-organizational Activities (continued)
ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
(ACCME)
Board of Directors
(Elected by ACCME)
Debra G. Perina, M.D.
Chair (11/09–11/10)
Vice Chair (11/08–11/09)
Member (12/07–11/12)
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF
EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS (ACEP)
Clinical Quality Measures Technical
Expert Panel
Michael L. Carius, M.D. (Began 2013)
Terry Kowalenko, M.D. (Began 2013)
Robert P. Wahl, M.D. (Began 2013)
CME/CPD Committee1
Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D., ABEM Liaison
MOC/MOL Committee1
Michael L. Carius, M.D., ABEM Liaison
Quality and Performance Committee1
Terry Kowalenko, M.D., ABEM Liaison
NATIONAL RESIDENT MATCH
PROGRAM (NRMP)
Board of Directors
(Elected by NRMP from ABMS slate)
Rita Kay Cydulka, M.D.
Second term (7/11–6/14)
First term (7/08–6/11)
EM MODEL REVIEW TASK FORCE 1
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D.
Susan K. Adsit, Staff
ADDITIONAL ABEM NOMINEES
AND APPOINTEES
American Board of Radiology
Foundation Medical Imaging
Partnership
Robert L. Muelleman, M.D.
Michael L. Carius, M.D.
Emergency Medicine Milestone
Project (ABEM and ACGME)
Working Group – James H. Jones, M.D.
Advisory Group – Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D.
Residency Review Committee for
Emergency Medicine (RRC-EM)4
Michael S. Beeson, M.D. (7/08–6/14)
Wallace A. Carter, M.D. (7/08–6/15)
Philip H. Shayne, M.D. (7/12–6/18)
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D. (ex officio member)
Subspecialties1
Sports Medicine Examination
Committee
David Berkoff, M.D. (7/10–6/16)
Jolie C. Holschen, M.D. (7/09–6/15)
Surgical CCM Work Group (Began 2010)
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Staff
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
Examination Committee
Enoch Huang, M.D. (7/09–6/13)
Christian A. Tomaszewski, M.D.
(1/09–6/14)
Appointed by ABEM
Appointed by ABMS
3
Elected by ABMS
4
Appointed by ACGME
1
2
Anesthesiology CCM Workgroup
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., Staff
Medical Toxicology Subboard
James H. Jones, M.D., ABEM Liaison
Sean M. Bryant, M.D. (1/12–12/14)
Rama B. Rao, M.D. (1/10–12/15)
Anne-Michelle Ruha, M.D. (1/11–12/13)
Joshua G. Schier, M.D. (1/12–12/14)
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Subboard
Jill M. Baren, M.D., ABEM Liaison
Randolph J. Cordle, M.D. (1/09–12/14)
Paul T. Ishimine, M.D. (1/12–12/14)
Brent King, M.D. (1/08–12/13)
Larry B. Mellick, M.D. (1/13–12/15)
Irene Y. Tien, M.D. (1/07–12/12)
9
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Senior Directors of the Board
*
Gail V. Anderson, Sr., M.D.
‡ Walter R. Anyan, Jr., M.D.
* William G. Barsan, M.D.
Carol D. Berkowitz, M.D.
Howard A. Bessen, M.D.
* Michael D. Bishop, M.D.
* Brooks F. Bock, M.D.
* G. Richard Braen, M.D.
Glenn D. Braunstein, M.D.
Dick D. Briggs, Jr., M.D.
‡ Paul D. Bruns, M.D.
* Joseph E. Clinton, M.D.
Robert E. Collier, M.D.
Lily C. A. Conrad, M.D.
* Rita Kay Cydulka, M.D.
Robert H. Dailey, M.D.
* Daniel F. Danzl, M.D.
Steven J. Davidson, M.D.
John H. Davis, M.D.
Richard E. Dean, M.D.
James J. Dineen, M.D.
‡ Frank A. Disney, M.D.
* Lynnette Doan-Wiggins, M.D.
E. John Gallagher, M.D.
Joel M. Geiderman, M.D.
William E. Gotthold, M.D.
* Jeffrey G. Graff, M.D.
* ‡ Harris B. Graves, M.D.
* ‡ R. R. Hannas, Jr., M.D.
Gerald B. Healy, M.D.
* Robert S. Hockberger, M.D.
* Gwendolyn L. Hoffman, M.D.
Leonard D. Hudson, M.D.
* Bruce D. Janiak, M.D.
‡ Carl Jelenko, III, M.D.
R. Scott Jones, M.D.
‡ Allen P. Klippel, M.D.
Robert K. Knopp, M.D.
* ‡ Ronald L. Krome, M.D.
Jo Ellen Linder, M.D.
* Louis J. Ling, M.D.
1976–1989
1995–2003
1993–2001
2003–2006
2002–2010
1988–1996
1995–2004
1988–1996
2002–2006
1994–2002
1980–1983
1986–1994
2004–2012
2002–2010
2002–2010
1976–1982
1991–1999
1986–1995
1979–1984
1991–1994
1976–1980
1979–1980
1999–2008
1995–2003
2003–2011
1994–2003
1996–2005
1980–1987
1976–1988
1988–1992
1995–2004
1994–2003
1990–1994
1986–1995
1976–1980
1988–1991
1976–1982
1988–1993
1976–1988
2004–2012
1997–2007
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
*
‡
*
*
‡
*‡
‡
‡
*
‡
*
*
‡
*
*
*
*‡
*
*
*‡
Mark A. Malangoni, M.D.
1998–2002
Vincent J. Markovchick, M.D
1994–2002
M. J. Martin, M.D.
1990–1994 & 1996–1998
John B. McCabe, M.D.
1996–2006
Henry D. McIntosh, M.D.
1979–1986
W. Kendall McNabney, M.D.
1982–1986
Harvey W. Meislin, M.D.
1986–1994
J. Mark Meredith, M.D.
2004–2012
Sheldon I. Miller, M.D.
1999–2006
James D. Mills, M.D.
1976–1988
John F. Murray, M.D.
1986–1989
Robert C. Neerhout, M.D.
1986–1994
Michael S. Nussbaum, M.D.
2002–2006
Thomas K. Oliver, Jr., M.D.
1980–1981
Debra G. Perina, M.D.
2003–2011
Nicholas J. Pisacano, M.D.
1979–1986
Roy M. Pitkin, M.D.
1990–1998
George Podgorny, M.D.
1976–1988
Peter T. Pons, M.D.
1996–2004
J. David Richardson, M.D.
1994–1998
Leonard M. Riggs, Jr., M.D.
1981–1986
Frank N. Ritter, M.D.
1979–1988
Peter Rosen, M.D.
1976–1986
Robert J. Rothstein, M.D.
1996–2004
Douglas A. Rund, M.D.
1988–1997
Earl Schwartz, M.D.
1994–2002
Richard I. Shader, M.D.
1980–1990
Roger T. Sherman, M.D.
1984–1988
Mark T. Steele, M.D.
2003–2012
Richard M. Steinhilber, M.D.
1979–1980
Richard L. Stennes, M.D.
1988–1996
Henry A. Thiede, M.D. 1979–1980 & 1984–1990
Harold A. Thomas, M.D.
2001–2010
Judith E. Tintinalli, M.D.
1982–1991
Robert Ulstrom, M.D.
1982–1986
Michael V. Vance, M.D.
1986–1995
David K. Wagner, M.D.
1976–1988
Edward E. Wallach, M.D.
1998–2006
Gerald P. Whelan, M.D.
1988–1998
John G. Wiegenstein, M.D.
1976–1986
*Past President
10
‡Deceased
ABEM Presidents – Years of Service
George Podgorny, M.D.
David K. Wagner, M.D.
John G. Wiegenstein, M.D.
R. R. Hannas, Jr., M.D.
Ronald L. Krome, M.D.
Harris B. Graves, M.D.
James D. Mills, M.D.
Gail V. Anderson, Sr., M.D.
Judith E. Tintinalli, M.D.
Joseph E. Clinton, M.D.
Bruce D. Janiak, M.D.
Harvey W. Meislin, M.D.
Michael V. Vance, M.D.
Michael D. Bishop, M.D.
G. Richard Braen, M.D.
Douglas A. Rund, M.D.
Gerald P. Whelan, M.D.
1976–1981
1981–1982
1982–1983
1983–1984
1984–1985
1985–1986
1986–1987
1987–1988
1988–1989
1989–1990
1990–1991
1991–1992
1992–1993
1993–1994
1994–1995
1995–1996
1996–1997
Daniel F. Danzl, M.D.
William G. Barsan, M.D.
Vincent J. Markovchick, M.D.
Robert S. Hockberger, M.D.
Gwendolyn L. Hoffman, M.D.
Brooks F. Bock, M.D.
Jeffrey G. Graff, M.D.
John B. McCabe, M.D.
Louis J. Ling, M.D.
Lynnette Doan-Wiggins, M.D.
Rita Kay Cydulka, M.D.
Harold A. Thomas, M.D.
Debra G. Perina, M.D.
Mark T. Steele, M.D.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.
John C. Moorhead, M.D.
1997–1998
1998–1999
1999–2000
2000–2001
2001–2002
2002–2003
2003–2004
2004–2005
2005–2006
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008–2009
2009–2010
2010–2011
2011–2012
2012–2013
ABEM Executive Directors – Years Of Service
Benson S. Munger, Ph.D.
Mary Ann Reinhart, Ph.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D.
1979–1999
2000–2010
2010–Present
11
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
ABEM Staff
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D.
Executive Director
Susan K. Adsit
John H. Diephouse, SPHR
Anne L. Harvey, Ph.D.
Associate Executive Director, Organizational & Certification Services
Associate Executive Director, Operations
Associate Executive Director, Evaluation & Research Services
Sheila J. Allen-French
Michele R. Booher
Cheryl P. Cardamoni, CMP
Laura A. Clark-Roumpz
Lois J. Coker
Timothy J. Dalton
Susan M. Dunsmore
Lauretta J. Fortune, M.B.A.
Christa L. Hagelberger, CAP
Kelly R. Johnston
Linda M. Junglas, CAP
Julia N. Keehbauch
Robert C. Korte, Ph.D.
Angela J. McGoff
Michele C. Miller
Shannon D. Miller
Nell A. Newton
Dawn M. Patterson
Robert G. Purosky
Chad M. Russ
Karen A. Sawyer, CMP
Deborah L. Schultz
Caleb D. Seelye
Karen J. Shannon, CAP
Jeffrey S. Smith
Marlene J. Soderstrom, M.H.S.A.
Frances M. Spring
Patricia G. Stoye
Christina L. Tisdale
Linda L. Wainwright
Constance H. Witherspoon
Data Analyst, Certification Services
Specialist, Certification Services
Meeting/Staff Travel Planner
Coordinator, Certification Services
Operations Assistant
Assistant Director, Examination Development & Administration
Assistant, Organizational Services
Assistant Director, Certification Services
Operations Assistant
Governance Administrator, Organizational Services
Administrative Coordinator, Examination Administration
Examination Development Specialist
Psychometrician/Research Program Specialist
Coordinator, Certification Services
Business Analyst, Certification Services
Administrative Assistant, Certification Services
Administrative Services Specialist
Administrative Coordinator, Examination Administration
Data Analyst, Evaluation Systems
Data Administrator, Research
Meeting Administrator
Administrative Assistant, Certification Services
Administrative Assistant, Examination Development
Administrative Assistant, Research & Area Administration
Information Systems Specialist
Associate, External Relations, Organizational Services
Communications Administrator, Organizational Services
Administrative Systems Specialist
Administrative Assistant, Certification Services
Operations Assistant
Assistant, Organizational Services
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
12
ABEM Maintenance of Certification
ABEM, along with the other 23 Member Boards of
the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS),
has adopted common terminology that reflects the
continuous nature of the Maintenance of Certification
(MOC) program. This makes it easier for physicians
and the public to understand that all certified
physicians participate in the same type of learning
and practice improvement process. ABEM MOC is
an ABMS Maintenance of Certification® program.
ABEM MOC is a program of continuous
professional development and a formal means of
evaluating a diplomate’s participation in continuous
professional development. It involves successfully
completing Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
tests and Assessment of Practice Performance
activities in each five-year period of a diplomate’s
certification, completing an average of 25 CME
credits per year, and passing the ConCert™
examination during their second five-year
certification period. Diplomates also must maintain
licensure in compliance with the ABEM Policy on
Medical Licensure. ABEM MOC will continue to
evolve to meet the needs of a dynamic healthcare
environment.
Beginning in 2011, ABEM began introducing
enhancements to ABEM MOC. These changes
streamlined the process for ABEM diplomates and
improved the program to better meet the ABMS
guidelines. The ABEM MOC program moved from
requiring specific activities within a ten-year time
period to requiring completion of activities by the
end of two consecutive five-year periods. Beginning
in 2013, all MOC requirements are “de-linked,” so
that a diplomate can, for example, take the
ConCert™ examination any year during the second
five-year certification period regardless of how many
other MOC requirements have been completed.
Then if a diplomate completes all required activities
by the end of their ten-year certification period, the
diplomate’s certificate will be renewed. Each
diplomate’s ABEM MOC Requirements and Status
Page, accessible through the ABEM website,
indicates what needs to be done to meet the new
requirements.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
PROFESSIONAL STANDING
No changes were made to the Professional Standing
component of ABEM MOC in 2012-13. All
diplomates and former diplomates participating in
ABEM MOC must continuously maintain medical
licensure in compliance with ABEM’s Policy on
Medical Licensure. Through ABMS, ABEM receives
information from the Federation of State Medical
Boards regarding final actions on diplomates’ and
former diplomates’ medical licenses. Failure to
comply with the ABEM Policy on Medical Licensure
can result in revocation of certification. As of
June 17, 2013, ABEM has revoked the certificates of
131 diplomates due to medical licensure that did
not comply with the policy. Of the certificates
revoked, ABEM has reinstated 17. ABEM offers
diplomates and former diplomates an opportunity
to appeal a decision when a medical license does
not comply with ABEM policy.
13
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SELF ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE EXPERTISE
A new EM LLSA test based on identified readings is
developed each year and posted on the ABEM
website on April 1. Each test is available for three
years. The test and associated readings are retired
March 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET, three years after being
posted. Diplomates must pass four LLSA tests in
each five-year period of their tenyear certification period.
Diplomates must also complete
an average of 25 AMA PRA
Category 1 Credits™ per year, eight
of which must be from selfassessment activities. Physicians
will be able to report their CME
information to ABEM in the final
year of their required time
frames—at the end of five years
and at the end of ten years.
The Assessment of Cognitive Expertise (ConCert™)
examination is a comprehensive, high-stakes, secure
examination consisting of approximately 205 single,
best-answer multiple choice questions, administered
at Pearson VUE Professional Centers across the
United States and Canada. Diplomates who pass the
ConCert™ examination can obtain
60 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Diplomates apply for these credits
However, at the end of a
directly through the AMA.
diplomate’s ten-year
certification, any outstanding
MOC requirements—missing
LLSA tests or incomplete APP
activities—will result in loss
of certification (even though
the ConCert™ examination
was passed).
Beginning in 2013, the ConCert™
examination is no longer the
final step in becoming recertified;
the four parts of MOC are now
de-linked. Diplomates can,
therefore register for and take the
ConCert™ examination in any of
the last five years of their
In 2012-13, diplomates were able
to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for LLSA CME
activities. CME is available for the successful
completion of the 2011, 2012, and 2013 LLSA CME
Activities. The accredited CME providers for these
activities are the American Academy of Emergency
Medicine (AAEM) and the American College of
Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
certification, even if they have not
completed all of their MOC requirements.
However, at the end of a diplomate’s ten-year
certification, any outstanding MOC requirements—
missing LLSA tests or incomplete APP activities—will
result in loss of certification (even though the
ConCert™ examination was passed).
14
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICE PERFORMANCE
Clinical Activity Status
APP is a component of ABMS Member Board MOC
programs. ABEM began phasing in the APP
component of its MOC program in 2010. Clinically
active diplomates are required to begin, complete,
and attest to the completion of patient care practice
improvement and patient feedback activities within
each five-year period of their ten-year certification.
Clinically inactive diplomates do not have an APP
requirement.
Diplomates who are involved in the care of a
sufficient number of patients to meet APP
requirements are identified as clinically active and
are required to participate in APP. Diplomates who
do not see a sufficient number of patients to meet
APP requirements are identified as clinically inactive
and are not required to complete the APP
component of ABEM MOC.
All clinically inactive diplomates who wish to
maintain their certification are required to complete
the ABEM requirements for Professional Standing,
LLSA, and Assessment of Cognitive Expertise
(ConCert™) at the same level as required for
clinically active diplomates.
ABEM has developed a patient experience of care
survey form that has been adapted from the
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and
Systems (CAHPS) Clinician and Group Survey and
Reporting Kit 2008. The survey form is available on
the ABEM website for ABEM diplomates who do
not have access to an existing survey to download
and use to fulfill their ABEM MOC APP
communication/professionalism requirement.
To date, the ABEM Board of Directors has approved
five externally developed APP activities. Physicians
who complete one of these activities may attest to
its completion on MOC Online and receive credit
for the appropriate APP requirement.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
15
Board Activities and Administration
At its winter 2013 meeting, the Board elected three
new directors, Michael S. Beeson, M.D.,
O. John Ma, M.D., and Lewis S. Nelson, M.D. They
will begin their terms as ABEM directors at the
close of the summer 2013 BOD meeting.
During the past year, the Board of Directors (BOD)
has reflected on the evolving nature of its work. As a
result, it has updated its mission statement and is
developing a new strategic plan. The new mission
statement, “To ensure high standards in the
specialty of Emergency Medicine,” reflects ABEM’s
emphasis on maintaining and increasing the
quality—for both diplomates and the public—in all
aspects of its work. Additional details can be found
below and on pages 2-3.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
At its winter 2013 BOD retreat meeting, the ABEM
BOD participated in a strategic planning session
during which a new mission statement was created,
“To ensure high standards in the specialty of
Emergency Medicine.” As a second step, the
directors identified objectives in three key areas
(finance, stakeholders, and organizational capacity)
on which ABEM will focus over the next 36
months. The objectives in the three areas can allow
ABEM to concentrate on the key needs of its
stakeholders in a manner that ABEM can afford and
has the capacity to deliver.
ABEM continues to be actively involved with the
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and
its committees and programs that have a direct
impact on Emergency Medicine. Several directors
serve in key positions on ABMS committees and on
the Board of Directors (see pages 8-9). In April
2013, John B. McCabe, M.D., a former ABEM
President (2004-05), continued his two-year term as
Immediate Past Chair of the ABMS Board of
Directors, a position created in 2011.
ABEM’s objectives will serve as the basis for
developing strategies to successfully meet identified
targets. At its summer 2013 meeting, the Executive
Committee will carefully review these strategies and
present them to the BOD for final approval.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
In July 2012, the Board elected its 2012-13 Executive
Committee members:
PQRS MOC ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE PAYMENT
John C. Moorhead, M.D., President
Richard N. Nelson, M.D., Immediate-Past-President
James H. Jones, M.D., President-Elect
Francis L. Counselman, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer
Barry N. Heller, M.D., Member-at-Large
ABEM was approved by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the
Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS)
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) additional
incentive program in 2012. Over 3,000 ABEM
diplomates participated in the program, and if
approved by CMS, they will receive an additional
16
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
0.5% reimbursement on their Medicare billings.
Per CMS requirements, these diplomates attested to
participating in ABEM MOC more frequently by
successfully completing an LLSA test, a practice
improvement (PI) activity, and a communication/
professionalism (CP) activity during 2012. ABEM
held a webinar in the fall to assist diplomates better
understand the program and how to register and
apply for it. The webinar was recorded and is
available on the ABEM website. ABEM was approved
to participate in the program again in 2013.
On June 26, 2013, the ABMS Board of Directors
unanimously approved a joint program between the
American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and
ABEM. Emergency physicians can now pursue
ACCM fellowship training after completing their
Emergency Medicine residency training. Upon
completion of an ACGME-accredited ACCM
training program and additional year of ABAapproved ACCM training, these individuals will be
eligible to seek board certification in ACCM. ABEM
will issue the ACCM certificate to its diplomates.
ONLINE INITIAL CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
RELATIONS WITH EMERGENCY MEDICINE
ORGANIZATIONS
In May 2013, ABEM candidates for the first time
could apply for initial certification online. Online
registration for the ConCert™ and qualifying
examinations were made available in 2004 and 2006,
respectively. With the availability of the electronic
application, ABEM received completed applications
earlier in this year’s cycle than had been the
experience with the paper application process.
Throughout the year, ABEM representatives met
with and/or made formal presentations to several
EM organizations —AACEM, AAEM, ACEP, CORD,
EMARC, EMRA, NAEMSP, RRC-EM, and SAEM.
ABEM had a booth presence at the AAEM, ACEP,
CORD, and SAEM meetings. Directors and staff
were able to demonstrate the new enhanced oral
examination, and ABEM diplomates were able to
attest to MOC activities, view their requirements,
and have questions about MOC answered. ABEM
would like to thank these organizations for the
opportunity to conduct these activities.
EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR
SUBSPECIALTY CERTIFICATION
Beginning in July 2013, ABEM diplomates will be
able to formally enter Surgical Critical Care (SCC)
fellowships and obtain subspecialty certification in
SCC. This is the result of the approval by the ABMS of a
resolution submitted by the American Board of Surgery
(ABS) allowing ABEM diplomates this opportunity.
As a result of collaboration between ABEM, AAEM,
and ACEP, diplomates can apply for CME credit for
completing the 2011, 2012, and 2013 EM LLSA CME
activities, and the 2013 Medical Toxicology LLSA
CME Activity. Upon successful completion of the
CME activity, diplomates will earn AMA PRA
Category 1 Credit™. Physicians can choose to receive
the CME credit from either AAEM or ACEP.
Certification in SCC will be through the ABS. To be
eligible, ABEM diplomates will complete an
advanced, modified preliminary year of surgical
training prior to entering the one-year fellowship
required for SCC certification. The ABS
requirements for SCC certification are not being
changed in any way; rather, this new pathway will
expand the pool of physicians eligible to be trained
and certified in SCC.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
17
RESIDENCY VISITATION PROGRAM
The PGY 2-4 format decreased from 31 programs in
1988 to 4 programs in 2012 and was discontinued
in the 2012-2013 academic year.
Since 1997, ABEM has provided a program through
which current and senior ABEM directors deliver
information in person to all ACGME-accredited EM
residency programs on a rotating three- or four-year
basis. The purpose of the program is to enhance
communication between ABEM and residents; to
clearly identify ABEM as the premier certifying body
in EM; and to answer questions residents have
about certification, training, and other issues in EM.
Response to the program continues to be positive.
There are 14 EM residency programs accredited by
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada, whose graduates may apply to ABEM for
certification.
COMBINED TRAINING PROGRAMS
Current Programs
In addition to the RVP presentation, ABEM
directors are also prepared to meet with chief
residents, faculty, department chairs, or others to
discuss topics of interest. If requested, directors
give presentations on ABEM MOC and provide
faculty and residents a demonstration of ABEM
MOC Online. In addition, ABEM directors often
work with faculty to present clinical information to
residents on topics of their choice. In 2012-13
ABEM directors gave 50 RVP presentations.
There are four types of approved EM combined
training programs:
• Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine (EM/IM)
• Emergency Medicine/Pediatrics (EM/Peds)
• Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine/Critical
Care Medicine (EM/IM/CCM)
• Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine (EM/FM)
Successful graduates of an approved five-year
training program in EM/IM are eligible for
certification in both EM and IM. Similarly,
successful graduates of an approved five-year
training program in EM/Peds are eligible for
certification in both specialties, and successful
graduates of a five-year EM/FM training program are
eligible for certification in EM and FM.
RESIDENCY REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
ABEM has three representatives on the RRC-EM:
Wallace A. Carter, M.D., Chair,
Michael S. Beeson, M.D., Vice Chair, and
Philip H. Shayne, M.D.
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., ABEM Executive Director,
is an ex-officio member of the RRC-EM.
Successful graduates of a six-year EM/IM/CCM training
program are eligible for certification in EM and IM, and
subspecialty certification in IM-CCM through ABIM.
Residents in these six-year programs can apply for EM
certification in their fifth year of training.
EM Residency Programs
There are currently 160 ACGME-accredited
categorical EM residency programs.
• 123 PGY 1-3 (77%)
• 37 PGY 1-4 (23%)
18
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
ABEM-approved Combined Training Programs
Type of Combined Programs
Number of
Programs
Currently
Training
Residents
Sponsor
Boards
13*
ABEM, ABIM
266
Emergency Medicine/Pediatrics
3*
ABEM, ABP
86
Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine/Critical Care Medicine
3
ABEM, ABIM
14
Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine
2
ABEM, ABFM
Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine
Graduates from
Combined
Programs Who
Have Ever Become
ABEM Diplomates
2**
* Additional programs have ceased operation.
** The first program was approved in 2006 and began training residents in 2007-08.
APPROVED ABEM SUBSPECIALTIES
Emergency Medical Services
ABEM currently offers subspecialty certification in
eight areas.
EMS was approved as a subspecialty in 2010. An
EMS Examination Task Force, composed of 14 EMS
physicians, was appointed by ABEM to develop the
EMS subspecialty certification examination (See
page 6 for a list of Task Force members). ABEM is
the sole sponsor board for this subspecialty. The
first application period was October 1, 2012, to
June 30, 2013, and the first examination is
scheduled for October 23-25, 2013. ABEM accepts
applications from diplomates of all ABMS Member
Boards.
Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
On June 26, 2013, the ABMS Board of Directors
unanimously approved co-sponsorship of ACCM
between the American Board of Anesthesiology
(ABA) and ABEM, making it the eighth subspecialty
available to ABEM diplomates. Upon completion of
an ACGME-accredited ACCM training program, and
additional ABA-approved training, physicians will be
eligible to seek board certification in ACCM. ABEM
diplomates will submit their applications for
certification to ABEM, and ABEM will issue the
ACCM certificate to its diplomates.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Ten ABMS Member Boards, including ABEM, offer
subspecialty certification in HPM:
• American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
(the administrative board)
• American Board of Anesthesiology
• American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)
• American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)
• American Board of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation (ABPMR)
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
19
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• American Board of Radiology
• American Board of Surgery
ABEM and ABP co-sponsor the subspecialty of
PedEM. ABP is the administrative board for this
subspecialty.
The first HPM subspecialty examination was
administered by ABIM on October 29, 2008, and is
administered every two years.
Larry B. Mellick, M.D., began his first three-year
term on the Subboard as an ABEM appointee,
effective January 1, 2013. He succeeded
Irene Y. Tien, M.D., whose final term on the
Subboard ended December 31, 2012.
Internal Medicine – Critical Care Medicine
The ABMS approved the co-sponsorship of
certification in Internal Medicine-Critical Care
Medicine between the American Board of Internal
Medicine and ABEM on September 21, 2011. The
first application period for ABEM diplomates was
March 1 to June 1, 2012, and the first examination
was administered on November 12, 2012. The
examination is administered annually.
Sports Medicine
ABEM, ABFM, ABIM, ABP, and ABPMR offer
subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. ABFM
is the administrative board for this subspecialty.
David Berkoff, M.D., an ABEM appointee to the
Examination Committee, began a second two-year
term effective July 1, 2012.
Medical Toxicology
ABEM, ABP, and the American Board of Preventive
Medicine (ABPM) co-sponsor subspecialty
certification in Medical Toxicology. ABEM, as the
administrative board for this subspecialty, is
responsible for examination development and
administration, analysis, scoring, preparation of
examination results, and administrative support for
the work of the Medical Toxicology Subboard.
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
ABEM and ABPM co-sponsor UHM. ABPM is the
administrative board for this subspecialty. There are
two ABEM representatives on the UHM Examination
Committee. Christian A. Tomaszewski, M.D., was
reappointed to a third two-year term on the
Examination Committee, effective July 1, 2012.
20
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Internal Operations
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Construction work began on the expansion of the
ABEM headquarters building after significant
planning, and thorough review and approval
processes involving the City of East Lansing and the
State of Michigan. The expansion will add
approximately 6,000 square feet to the existing
headquarters, and is intended to accommodate the
growth in staffing and services over the next several
years. Construction work is expected to be
completed in the spring of 2014.
The ABEM staff increased to 35 positions this year,
with the addition of two positions over the previous
year. Positions were added to increase diplomate
service, address the growing volume of examination
development activity, and more quickly develop
information systems projects. In addition to fulltime staff, consultants continue to provide technical
and professional support on project activities where
specific content expertise is required.
Development and implementation of technologyrelated projects continue to be a central component
of ABEM’s operational activities. This dynamic body
of work continues to be successfully supported
through an active partnership with Delios Computer
Solutions for network infrastructure support, Latitude
Consulting Group on database and web interface
support and refinements, and Maestro eLearning for
development of the enhanced oral examination
software. In the past year, significant enhancements
have been made to the item bank; ABEM MOC
Online; OMNI, the central candidate database; and
the website operating system.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
FINANCIAL
At its February 2013 meeting, the Board of
Directors reviewed the final audit report prepared
by Yeo and Yeo, P.C., ABEM’s external auditing
firm, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. The
positive audit report contained no qualifications of
generally accepted accounting procedures.
21
Credentialing Activities
EM CERTIFICATION APPLICATION ACTIVITY
Internal Medicine-Critical Care Medicine
ABEM received 1,612 applications during the 2012
EM certification application period. This included 267
late applications. ABEM approved 1,607 certification
applications that met the credentialing requirements.
There are two application pathways for IM-CCM: a
training pathway and a practice pathway. The first
examination open to ABEM diplomates was
administered November 14, 2012. ABEM received
32 applications during the 2012 IM-CCM
certification application period and approved 28.
The application period for the 2013 examination
was open from March 1 to June 1, 2013. ABEM
received 19 applications. The examination will be
administered on October 9, 2013.
SUBSPECIALTY CREDENTIALING ACTIVITY
Emergency Medical Services
ABEM is the sole sponsoring board for the
subspecialty of EMS. To be eligible for this
subspecialty certification examination, a physician
must be certified by one of the 24 ABMS Member
Boards and meet the eligibility criteria established
by ABEM. The first application period opened
October 1, 2012, and closed June 30, 2013.
The first examination will be administered
October 23-25, 2013. There are three application
pathways: a practice pathway, a practice-plustraining pathway, and a training pathway.
Medical Toxicology
To apply for certification, ABEM diplomates and
diplomates of non-sponsoring ABMS Member Boards
must have successfully completed an ACGMEaccredited MedTox fellowship training program.
MedTox diplomates who are certified in EM must
participate in the MedTox MOC program to maintain
valid MedTox certification.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
ABEM received and approved 46 applications that
met the eligibility criteria during the 2012 MedTox
initial certification application period. ABEM also
received 67 applications during the MedTox MOC
application period.
ABEM received 74 applications during the 2012 HPM
certification application period, and approved 69.
ABEM diplomates who apply for HPM certification in
2014 must fulfill the eligibility requirements of the
training pathway (the practice pathway closed on
June 1, 2012).
The next MedTox certification examination will be
administered on October 24, 2014, and the next
MedTox MOC cognitive expertise examination will be
administered on November 10, 2014.
The next HPM certification examination will be
administered on October 2, 2014.
The MedTox MOC program is being phased in and
replaces the MedTox recertification process. The MedTox
MOC professional standing component and cognitive
expertise examination were implemented in 2006.
22
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
The LLSA component was implemented in 2009 with
online publication of the first Medical Toxicology
LLSA test. For the first time, diplomates can earn 10
AMA PRA Category I Credits™ for completing the 2013
MedTox LLSA CME Activity.
Sports Medicine
Completion of ACGME-accredited Sports Medicine
fellowship training is the only pathway of application
for subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine.
The next Sports Medicine certification examinations
will be administered in July 2013 and November 2013.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
ABEM received 26 applications that met the eligibility
criteria during the 2013 PedEM initial certification
application period.
ABEM diplomates have the opportunity to recertify in
Sports Medicine by taking the certification
examination.
There are two pathways of application for the
PedEM subspecialty: (1) ACGME-accredited PedEM
fellowship training, and (2) dual certification. To
apply through the dual certification pathway,
candidates must have completed the training to meet
the primary specialty certification requirements of
both the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and
ABEM before January 1, 1999.
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
Completion of ACGME-accredited UHM fellowship
training is the only pathway for certification in this
subspecialty.
The next UHM certification examination will be
administered in October 2013.
The next UHM recertification examinations will be
administered in July and August 2013.
The next PedEM initial certification examination will
be administered in 2015.
ABEM and ABP continue to work toward approval of
a full MOC program in which ABEM PedEM
diplomates can participate for the purpose of
maintaining PedEM certification. The Professional
Standing and Assessment of Cognitive Expertise
components of the PedEM MOC program were
implemented on January 1, 2007.
ABEM received and approved nine applications during
the PedEM MOC application period for the March 2013
examination administration. The next PedEM MOC
examination will be administered September 1-30, 2013.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
23
Development Activities
INITIAL CERTIFICATION TASK FORCE
COMPLETES ITS WORK
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
During 2012-13, the Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) Examination Task Force developed a
blueprint for the 2013 initial certification
examination.
At its July 2012 meeting, the ABEM Board of Directors
approved ending the work of the Initial Certification
Task Force (ICTF), and transferring its responsibilities
for the enhanced certification examinations to the Test
Administration and Test Development committees.
The EMS Examination Task Force is charged with the
following tasks:
During its tenure, the ICTF accomplished the
following tasks, which together fulfill its mandate
from the BOD:
• Reviewing and revising, as necessary, the Core
Content of EMS Medicine
• Developing a blueprint for the certification
examination
• Presented the final list of knowledge, skills, and
abilities, together with related conceptual standards,
for approval by the BOD
• Creating and editing examination items
• Successfully pilot tested enhanced MCQ (eMCQ)
and enhanced oral (eOral) examination formats for
potential future use in the initial certification process
• Determining the items to be used in the initial
certification examination
• Developing and recommending to the ABEM Board
of Directors any Maintenance of Certification
elements needed within the first three years after
the initial examination
• Recommended an eOral examination format and
an eOral examination blueprint
• Developed a set of recommendations and a plan for
the development of a field test of the eMCQ and
eOral examinations
The diplomates who comprise the EMS Examination
Task Force are listed on page 6 of this report.
• Presented an implementation plan for the eMCQ
and eOral to the BOD
At the same meeting, the BOD decided that the new
content standards would go into effect with the 2014
examinations.
24
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Evaluation Activities
IN-TRAINING EXAMINATION
1 Number of examinees taking the examination under standard
conditions during the published testing window. Due to
complications arising from Hurricane Sandy, the examination
window was extended through December 8, 2013, to
accommodate rescheduling. An additional 26 candidates
took the examination during that time. Those additional 26,
plus those testing under non-standard conditions or outside
the published testing window, brings the total number of
candidates to 1,901.
ABEM administered the in-training examination to
5,853 residents. There were 5,486 residents from
159 U.S. categorical programs, 164 residents from
19 combined programs, and 203 residents from 11
Canadian programs on February 27, 2013. This
represents a 4% increase in participating examinees
compared to the 2012 in-training examination
administration.
Oral Certification Examinations
The 2013 in-training examination was developed
and edited by Francis L. Counselman, M.D., and
Mary Nan S. Mallory, M.D.
ABEM administered two oral certification
examinations in Chicago, Illinois, during 2012-13.
The October 27-29, 2012, oral examination was
administered to a total of 813 certification candidates,
of whom 807 were residency-trained. Ninety-eight
percent (98%) of the residency-trained, first-time
takers passed, and 97% of the total certification
candidates passed the examination.
INITIAL CERTIFICATION
Qualifying Examination
ABEM administered the qualifying examination on
November 12-18, 2012, in Pearson VUE Professional
Centers to 1,8601 initial certification candidates. Of
these, 1,817 were residency-eligible, and 43 were
non–residency-eligible. This represents a 2% increase
in the number of residency-eligible candidates and
an 8% increase in non–residency-eligible candidates
from the 2011 qualifying examination. Eighty-seven
percent (87%) of the total initial certification group
passed the examination, and 94% of the residencyeligible, first-time takers passed.
The spring oral examination was administered
May 4-6, 2013, to a total of 860 certification
candidates, of whom 856 were residency-trained.
Ninety-nine percent (99%) of the residency-trained,
first-time takers passed, and 99% of the total
certification candidates passed the examination.
Barry N. Heller, M.D., and Robert W. Strauss, M.D.,
served as editors for both of these examinations.
MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION
Terry Kowalenko, M.D., and J. Mark Meredith, M.D.,
developed and edited the 2012 qualifying examination.
ConCert™ Examination
ABEM administered the ConCert™ examination on
September 10-15, 2012, to 1,8951 ABEM diplomates
and former diplomates at Pearson VUE Professional
Centers across the United States and Canada. This
represents a 12% increase compared to the number
of candidates who took the 2011 examination during
the scheduled examination administration.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
25
Ninety-five percent (95%) of the ABEM diplomates
who took the ConCert™ examination passed. This is
consistent with historical passing rates for this
examination.
The 2012 results of the HPM certification examination
are summarized in the table below.
October 2012 Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Certification Examination
In 2012, 95 former diplomates regained certification
by passing the examination. Since 2004, when the
ABEM MOC program began, 836 former diplomates
have regained certification by passing the ConCert™
examination.
Pass
Total Candidates
Reference Group
3,220
648
All Candidates
3,368
730
14
0
59
5
ABEM Certification Reference Group
Candidates
All Candidates
The overall pass rate among all examinees who took
the 2012 ConCert™ examination under standard
conditions during the scheduled examination
administration was 93%.
Fail
Internal Medicine-Critical Care Medicine
The IM-CCM certification examination was
administered on November 14, 2012, at Pearson VUE
Professional Centers in the U.S. and Canada.
Catherine A. Marco, M.D., and Robert P. Wahl, M.D.,
developed and edited the 2012 ConCert™
examination.
There were a total of 673 candidates who took the
certification examination during the 2012
administration, including 25 ABEM diplomates. Of
the 673 total candidates who took the examination,
601 (89%) passed. Of the 25 ABEM diplomates who
took the examination, all (100%) passed.
1 Number of examinees taking the examination under standard
conditions during the published testing window. The total
number of ConCert™ examinees, including those testing under
non-standard conditions or outside the published testing
window, was 1,918.
SUBSPECIALTY EXAMINATIONS
The examination results are summarized below:
Emergency Medical Services
The first certification examination in the subspecialty of
EMS will be given October 23-25, 2013.
2012 Internal Medicine – Critical Care Medicine
Certification Examination*
Pass
Fail
Reference Group
565
35
All Candidates (ABEM & ABIM)
601
72
Fellowship Trained (accredited)
6
0
All ABEM Candidates
25
0
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Total Candidates
The HPM certification examination was administered
on October 4, 2012. A total of 4,098 candidates took
the examination, including 64 ABEM candidates. The
reference group for this examination consisted of
graduates of accredited HPM fellowship programs
taking the examination for the first time. For this
examination, 3,868 of the 4,098 candidates who took
the examination were in the reference group. Of the
64 ABEM candidates, 14 were in the reference group.
Of the 4,098 total candidates, 82% (N=3,368) passed.
Of the 3,868 candidates in the reference group, 83%
(N=3,220) passed. Of the 64 ABEM candidates, 92%
(N=59) passed. Of the 14 ABEM candidates in the
reference group, 100% (N=14) passed the
examination. To date, 94 ABEM diplomates have
achieved certification in HPM.
ABEM Candidates
Medical Toxicology Examinations
Both the certifying and cognitive expertise
examinations were administered in November 2012 at
Pearson VUE Professional Centers. To date, 356 ABEM
diplomates have achieved certification in Medical
Toxicology and 146 diplomates have renewed their
certification.
26
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
On November 12, 2012, ABEM administered the 2012
subspecialty certification examination in Medical
Toxicology to 65 candidates, 55 of whom were ABEM
candidates. The reference group for this examination
consisted of first-time test takers who were graduates
of ACGME-accredited, two-year fellowship programs.
For this examination, 49 of the 65 candidates who
took the examination were in the reference group. Of
the 65 total candidates, 63% (N=41) passed. Of the
49 candidates in the reference group, 73% (N=36)
passed. Of the 55 ABEM candidates, 69% (N=38)
passed. Of the 44 ABEM candidates in the reference
group, 75% (N=33) passed the examination.
The Medical Toxicology MOC requirement for LLSA is
being phased in, starting with a requirement of one
LLSA test for diplomates who took the 2012 Medical
Toxicology cognitive expertise examination. The first
Medical Toxicology LLSA test was posted on the
ABEM website on June 1, 2009; the second was
posted on June 1, 2011, and the third on June 6, 2013.
A new LLSA test will be posted every two years. Each
test will remain online for four years.
Medical Toxicology LLSA tests are based on reading lists
that focus on the Core Content of Medical Toxicology.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Examination
ABEM administered the 2012 MOC cognitive expertise
in Medical Toxicology on November 8, 2012, to 33
candidates, 27 of whom were ABEM diplomates. The
reference group for this examination consists of all
first-time test takers. Of the 33 total candidates, 94%
(N=31), passed the examination. Of the 32 candidates
in the reference group, 97% (N=31) passed the
examination. Of the 27 ABEM candidates, 92%
(N=25) passed. Of the 26 ABEM candidates in the
reference group, 96% (N=25) passed the examination.
The PedEM certification examination was
administered April 9, 2013. To date, 229 ABEM
diplomates have achieved certification in PedEM. The
results of the examination were not available at the
time of publication.
The fall recertification examination was administered
in September 2012. Five ABEM diplomates took and
passed the examination. The examination results are
summarized below.
The spring recertification examination was
administered in March 2013. Nine ABEM diplomates
took and passed the examination. The examination
results are summarized below.
The 2012 results of the Medical Toxicology
certification and cognitive expertise examinations are
summarized in the table below.
2012 Medical Toxicology Examinations
Certification
Examination
Pass
Fail
Reference Group
36
13
All Candidates
41
24
Reference Group
(ABEM Candidates)
33
11
All ABEM Candidates
38
17
Reference Group
31
1
All Candidates
31
2
Reference Group
(ABEM Candidates)
25
1
All ABEM Candidates
25
September 2012 Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Recertification Examination*
Pass
Fail
All Recertification Candidates
75
0
ABEM Recertification Candidates
5
0
* There was no reference group used for the September recertification examination.
Cognitive
Expertise
Examination
March 2013 Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Recertification Examination*
All Recertification Candidates
ABEM Recertification Candidates
2
Pass
Fail
100
0
9
0
* There was no reference group used for the March recertification examination.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
27
Sports Medicine Examination
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Examination
The subspecialty certification examination in Sports
Medicine was administered in July and November 2012
to both certification and recertification candidates.
The UHM certification examination was administered
October 1–12, 2012, at Pearson VUE Professional
Centers in the U.S. and Canada. Five ABEM
diplomates took the examination. The examination
results are summarized below.
Eleven ABEM diplomates took and passed the 2012
Sports Medicine certification examinations. Two ABEM
diplomates took and passed the Sports Medicine
certification examination as a means of recertifying.
2012 Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Certification Examination*
The examination results are summarized below.
Total Candidates
July 2012 Sports Medicine Certification
and Recertification Examinations*
Total Candidates
ABEM Candidates
ABEM Candidates
Pass
Fail
260
45
Recertification Candidates
70
8
All Certification Candidates
9
0
Recertification Candidates
1
1
All Certification Candidates
Total Candidates
ABEM Candidates
Fail
All Certification Candidates
68
41
Recertification Candidates
21
5
All Certification Candidates
2
0
Recertification Candidates
1
0
Fail
Fellowship Trained (non-ABEM)
3
0
All Candidates (ABEM & ABPM)
16
4
Fellowship Trained (accredited)
4
0
All ABEM Candidates
5
0
* There was no reference group used for this examination.
The UHM recertification examination was
administered between February and November 2012
in various locations in the U.S. Six ABEM diplomates
took the examination. The examination results are
summarized below.
November 2012 Sports Medicine Certification
and Recertification Examinations*
Pass
Pass
2012 Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Recertification Examination*
Pass
Fail
Total Candidates
25
0
ABEM Candidates
6
0
* There was no reference group used for this examination.
* There was no reference group used for this examination administration.
28
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Mock Administration of Selected Oral
Field-test Cases
2012 Item Writers' Workshop
In March 2013, ABEM conducted mock case
administrations of all the field-test cases selected by
the 2013 Oral Case Selection Panel. The goal of the
mock case administrations is to capture real-time case
encounter feedback on all selected field-test cases
early in the review process, which allows the
examination editors to better refine the field-test cases
before using them in an examination administration.
The oral examination editors conducted the mock
administrations of field-test cases selected for the
2013-14 oral examinations.
The annual Item Writers' Workshop was held
July 21-23, 2012, in Aspen, Colorado, immediately
preceding the summer Board of Directors meetings.
Current multiple choice question (MCQ)
examination editors and item writers attended the
meeting except for Sam S. Torbati, M.D. Also present
were Richard N. Nelson, M.D., then-President and -Test
Development Committee Chair; Barry N. Heller, M.D.,
then-Test Administration Committee Vice-Chair; and
Paul T. Ishimine, M.D., one of ABEM’s representatives
to the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Subboard.
Meeting participants who attended the entire 2012
workshop earned 13.5 AMA PRA Category 1™ credits.
2013 New Writer Training and Orientation
Five new item writers and one subspecialty
representative participated in the 2013 New Writer
Training and Orientation session, held on
March 12, 2013. New writers in attendance were:
2012 Oral Case Selection Panel Meeting
The Oral Case Selection Panel met at the ABEM
headquarters on March 9-10, 2013, to select cases for
the fall 2013 and spring 2014 oral certification
examination administrations. The Panel consisted of
four current directors: Barry N. Heller, M.D., oral
examination editor and Chair, Test Administration
Committee; Robert W. Strauss, M.D., oral examination
editor; Richard N. Nelson, M.D., Chair, Test Development
Committee; and Francis L. Counselman, M.D., ViceChair, Test Development Committee. Panel members
selected field test cases for the 2013-2014 examination
year. All cases selected by the panel are reviewed by
volunteer senior case reviewers, and final editing is
conducted by the oral examination editors before
the cases are used in the oral examinations. Panel
members also identified current oral cases that
might be converted at some future date to enhanced
oral cases.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
• Jill M. Baren, M.D. (qualifying examination)
• Kerryann B. Broderick, M.D. (LLSA test)
• Michael L. Carius, M.D. (ConCert™ examination)
• Robert L. Muelleman, M.D. (ConCert™
examination)
• Lance H. Hoffman, M.D. (in-training examination)
• Jefferey L. Burgess, M.D., M.S., M.P.H. (Medical
Toxicology)
All new item writers participating in the
training session were appointed by the
ABEM Board of Directors in July 2012.
Richard N. Nelson, M.D.,
Immediate-Past-President and Chair,
Test Development Committee and
Francis L. Counselman, M.D.,
Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-chair,
Test Development Committee,
presided at the meeting.
29
Application and Examination Activity
Certification
Qualifying Examination
Date
1980
and
prior
Oral Certification Examination
Total Candidates3
EM Residency-eligible
First-time Takers
EM Residency-eligible
First-time Takers
Total Candidates3
App’s
Rec’d
#
Took
#
Pass
%
Pass
#
Took
#
Pass
%
Pass
#
Took
#
Pass
%
Pass
#
Took
#
Pass
%
Pass
1,875
-
-
-
1,496
998
67
-
-
-
399
248
62
1981
1,035
-
-
-
1,142
825
72
-
-
-
548
356
65
1982
1,149
-
-
-
1,254
869
69
-
-
-
998
571
57
1983
1,242
-
-
-
1,335
885
66
-
-
-
1,293
766
59
1984
1,399
-
-
-
1,694
1,108
65
-
-
-
1,339
912
68
1985
1,600
-
-
-
2,016
1,274
63
-
-
-
1,066
801
75
1986
1,709
-
-
-
2,147
1,124
52
-
-
-
1,425
993
70
1987
1,977
-
-
-
2,479
1,429
58
-
-
-
1,503
1,192
79
1988
2,915
-
-
-
2,607
1,375
53
-
-
-
1,602
1,227
77
1989
886
1990
1,069
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,627
1,266
78
3,446
1,953
57
-
-
-
1,350
1,059
78
Postponed to 5/30/90
1991
624
-
-
-
1,510
853
56
-
-
-
1,464
1,185
81
1992
742
-
-
-
1,396
820
59
-
-
-
1,446
1,146
79
1993
964
-
-
-
1,281
822
64
-
-
-
977
753
76
1994
785
-
-
-
1,329
781
59
-
-
-
1,095
894
82
19951
847
753
664
88
1,249
769
62
692
669
97
1,028
890
87
1996
860
839
756
90
1,290
899
70
703
658
94
968
808
84
1997
943
920
811
89
1,335
903
68
795
711
89
934
795
85
1998
1,005
1,003
909
91
1,426
1,036
73
864
788
91
1,059
895
85
1999
1,099
1,092
972
89
1,457
1,053
72
988
851
86
1,083
901
83
2000
1,108
1,087
985
91
1,488
1,085
73
1,040
957
92
1,272
1,124
88
2001
1,173
1,155
1,026
89
1,471
1,135
77
1,064
1,000
94
1,257
1,133
90
2002
1,171
1,176
1,057
90
1,516
1,181
78
1,142
1,040
91
1,291
1,140
88
2003
1,198
1,179
1,092
93
1,496
1,205
81
1,158
1,058
91
1,278
1,140
89
2004
1,256
1,242
1,099
88
1,490
1,188
80
1,204
1,142
95
1,335
1,237
93
2005
1,299
1,287
1,164
90
1,593
1,283
81
1,197
1,132
95
1,325
1,233
93
2006
1,329
1,302
1,200
92
1,606
1,344
84
1,239
1,166
94
1,289
1,204
93
2007
1,411
1,408
1,267
90
1,645
1,363
83
1,328
1,254
94
1,431
1,340
94
2008
1,387
1,366
1,246
91
1,638
1,371
84
1,357
1,288
95
1,434
1,353
94
2009
1,448
1,430
1,295
91
1,717
1,429
83
1,408
1,337
95
1,484
1,397
94
2010
1,517
1,519
1,381
91
1,779
1,515
85
1,416
1,335
94
1,470
1,378
94
2011
1,584
1,560
1,417
91
1,827
1,540
84
1,534
1,487
97
1,665
1,603
96
2012
1,612
1,615
1,511
94
1,898
1,653
87
1,548
1,515
98
1,643
1,599
97
Total
42,218
21,933
19,852
912
53,053
37,068
702
20,677
19,388
942
41,378
34,539
832
1 1995 was the first year that a reference group of EM residency-eligible, first-time test takers was used to construct the written certification examination,
now known as the qualifying examination.
2 Number
indicates the percent of the total that passed.
3 Candidates
do not include former diplomates attempting to regain certification through the qualifying and/or oral examination.
30
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Application and Examination Activity
Recertification
Prior to the implementation of MOC, diplomates were required to pass a recertification examination to maintain their
certification. Following are the statistics for the recertification examinations taken between 1989 through 2003.
Method Chosen
Written Recertification
Date
#
Took
App’s
Rec’d
Oral Recertification
#
Pass
%
Pass
#
Took
#
Pass
Oral Certification
Written Certification
%
Pass
#
Took
#
Pass
%
Pass
#
Took
#
Pass
%
Pass
1989
and
prior
275
88
83
94
67
61
91
0
-
-
0
-
-
1990
258
247
239
97
22
22
100
9
9
100
1
1
100
100
1991
306
304
295
97
20
17
85
10
10
100
1
1
1992
438
372
357
96
17
17
100
10
8
80
10
7
70
1993
716
583
548
94
33
30
91
13
9
69
19
15
79
1994
743
795
748
94
12
9
75
34
24
71
1995
792
755
709
94
11
8
73
46
33
72
Oral Recertification
Discontinued
1996
910
929
852
92
10
8
80
54
40
74
1997
1,011
1,088
1,007
93
19
13
68
54
36
67
1998
1,260
1,248
1,181
95
3
2
67
65
48
74
1999
1,267
1,247
1,133
91
2
2
100
55
36
65
2000
1,379
1,301
1,203
92
6
4
67
49
32
65
2001
1,432
1,399
1,263
90
0
0
0
53
39
74
2002
1,298
1,234
1,070
87
4
1
25
40
27
68
2003
1,518
1,420
1,298
92
3
2
67
49
32
65
Total
13,603
13,010
11,986
92
112
85
76
530
371
70
159
147
92
ConCert™ Examination
ConCert
Diplomates
Former Diplomates
Year
# Took
# Pass
% Pass
# Took
# Pass
% Pass
2004
1,264
1,169
92
127
60
47
2005
1,407
1,295
92
157
92
59
2006
1,367
1,296
95
206
129
63
2007
1,569
1,483
95
135
81
60
2008
1,778
1,687
95
138
104
75
2009
1,657
1,576
95
119
82
69
2010
1,955
1,897
97
121
94
78
2011
2,022
1,943
96
147
99
67
2012
1,762
1,681
95
154
100
65
Total
14,781
14,027
951
1,304
841
641
1 Number indicates the percent of the total who passed.
Statistics are reported by calendar year. The statistics accurately reflect the examinations administered during the designated periods, and all examination
data are included. Candidates who took more than one examination are included more than once.
Since 2006, 27 former diplomates have regained certification by passing the qualifying examination, 29 former diplomates have regained by passing both the
qualifying and oral examinations, and 5 former diplomates have regained by passing both the ConCert™ and oral examinations.
Total number of active diplomates on 12/31/2012 was 29,852.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
31
Research Activities
THE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF EMERGENCY
PHYSICIANS
Emergency Medicine Physician Survey
The 2011 EM physician survey was sent to 1,180
physicians, of which there were 856 valid responses
available for the final analysis. After accounting for
respondents who indicated that they had either
retired or changed occupations, the effective response
rate was 76%. This year, several questions addressed
ABEM’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
program. Over half of the respondents did not have a
clear understanding of the MOC Assessment of
Practice Performance (APP) requirements.
The LSEP began in 1994 with a representative sample
of 1,008 emergency physicians. Additional
participants were selected in 1995, 2000, 2005, and
2010 during their first year of residency. New
participants contribute to the Longitudinal Study of
Emergency Medicine Residents during three years of
residency and then join the LSEP.
The long form of the LSEP survey is administered
every five years, with shorter surveys given in the
interim years.
The 2012 EM physician survey was sent to 1,126
participant physicians, of which there were 910 valid
responses, for an effective response rate of 81%. As in
2011, several questions addressed satisfaction with
ABEM’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
program. When asked about the LLSA component,
67% were satisfied or very satisfied; 58% were
satisfied or very satisfied with the ConCert™
examination; and 25% were satisfied or very satisfied
with APP. Roughly 44% were satisfied or very satisfied
with MOC overall.
In 2011 and 2012, ABEM continued the practice of
creating three distinct versions of the LSEP interim
survey: the EM physician survey, which is sent to
physicians believed to be currently practicing EM or
an EM subspecialty; a second survey to retired LSEP
participants; and a third survey to participants working
in alternate occupations. Selected results follow.
Additional details are available on the ABEM website.
When asked how overall quality of patient care was
changed by the Affordable Care Act, 71% of
respondents reported the ‘Same.’ With regard to
income changing due to the Affordable Care Act,
69% responded ‘Same.’ Respondents indicated that
the Affordable Care Act changed their practice ‘More’
in three areas: work stress (15%), number of patients
seen in the emergency department (11%), and time
doing paperwork/bureaucratic tasks (23%).
32
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF EMERGENCY
MEDICINE RESIDENTS
Residents were asked to rank several aspects of EM
with regard to the influence they had in selecting EM
as a specialty. Over half of the residents indicated that
defined working hours (59%) and the opportunity to
spend more time with family (51%) had a rank of five
on the five point scale (‘Influenced Me a Great Deal’).
This is supported by another question that asked
respondents to rank the appeal of various aspects of
the EM experience. Sixty-nine percent responded ‘Very
Much’ when asked about having control over
professional and personal time.
The Longitudinal Study of Emergency Medicine
Residents (LSEMR) is designed to survey residents
during their training program. Every five years, a new
group of physicians is added to the LSEP. Residents
are solicited in their first year of Emergency Medicine
(EM) residency and are asked to complete an annual
survey that parallels the full-length survey that is
administered in the Longitudinal Study of Emergency
Physicians (LSEP) study every five years.
The first panel of residents was introduced into the
residency study in 1996. They were surveyed for each
of their three EM training years, 1996-1998. Upon
successfully completing their residency, they became
part of the LSEP study in 1999. In the fall of 2000, a
second panel of first-year residents was chosen for
inclusion in the LSEMR. These residents received an
annual survey in 2001-2003 and began to participate
in the LSEP in 2004. The third panel was selected for
study in early 2006, and followed a similar protocol.
RESIDENCY TRAINING INFORMATION
TASK FORCE
The RTI Task Force published its annual report in the
May 2013 issue of Annals of Emergency Medicine based
on analyses of data collected from residency programs
and other sources. The annual publication of RTI
provides a graphic overview of the information
collected each year from all of the ACGME-accredited
EM residency programs.
The fourth panel of first-year residents was selected in
early 2011. A total of 475 residents were invited to
join the longitudinal studies. When the number of
respondents was determined to be too low, a second
set of 200 residents was invited to take part in early
May. Of these 675 total residents, 190 agreed to
participate. The number of surveys returned was 99
(52%), with only four paper responses. With such a
small response rate, the results of the study have a
potential for bias. It is possible that only those who
felt strongly (either positively or negatively) about the
study or their residency experience chose to respond.
This panel was the first to receive only email
solicitation for the first three mailings, with a paper
survey sent for the fourth mailing. This practice was
reviewed in light of the response rate.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
33
EM MILESTONES REPORT
The Milestones Project was a joint initiative of the
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME) and the American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS). For Emergency Medicine, it was
supported by ABEM and representatives of the
following organizations:
In September 2012, the Emergency Medicine
Milestones Project was finalized. The EM Milestones
are a matrix of the knowledge, skills, abilities,
attitudes, and experiences that should be acquired at
different points during EM training. Levels range from
graduating ‘medical student/entering resident’ (Level
1) to ‘superseding the level of a resident’ (Level 5) (see
illustration). The EM Milestones will provide a basis
for six-month evaluations for EM residents. The
development of the EM Milestones was published
online in Academic Emergency Medicine. The validation
study will be published in Academic Emergency Medicine.
• The Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency
Medicine
• The American Academy of Emergency Medicine
• The American College of Emergency Physicians
• The Council of Emergency Medicine Residency
Directors
• The Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association
Each of the 24 medical specialties was charged with
designing milestones specific to their specialty;
Emergency Medicine was the first to produce a
finalized version of its milestones.
• The Residency Review Committee for Emergency
Medicine
• The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
The EM Milestone for Diagnosis
Diagnosis (PC4)
Based on all of the available data, narrows and prioritizes the list of weighted differential diagnoses to
determine appropriate management.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Constructs a list of
potential diagnoses
based on chief
complaint and initial
assessment.
Constructs a list of
potential diagnoses,
based on the greatest
likelihood of
occurence.
Uses all available
medical information to
develop a list of ranked
differential diagnoses
including those with
the greatest potential
for morbidity or
mortality.
Synthesizes all of the
available data and
narrows and prioritizes
the list of weighted
differential diagnoses
to determine
appropriate
management.
Uses pattern
recognition to identify
discriminating features
between similar
patients and avoids
premature closure.
Constructs a list of
potential diagnoses
with the greatest
potential for morbidity
or mortality.
Correctly identifies
“sick versus not sick”
patients.
Revises a differential
diagnosis in response
to changes in a patent’s
course over time.
Suggested Evaluation Methods: SDOT as baseline, global ratings, simulation, oral boards, chart review
34
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Research Committee, Smith-Coggins R, Baren JM,
Counselman FL, Kowalenko T, Marco CA, Muelleman
RL, Wahl RP, Korte RC. American Board of Emergency
Medicine report on residency training information
(2012-2013), American Board of Emergency Medicine.
Ann Emerg Med. 2013 May;61(5):584-92. doi:
10.1016/j.annemergmed.2013.03.019.
PUBLICATIONS
Jones JH, Smith-Coggins R, Meredith JM, Korte RC,
Reisdorff EJ, Russ CM. Lifelong learning and selfassessment is relevant to emergency physicians; J
Emerg Med; 2013. [In press]
Korte RC, Beeson MS, Russ CM, Carter WA, The
Emergency Medicine Milestones Working Group,
Reisdorff EJ. The emergency medicine milestones:
a validation study. Acad Emerg Med. 2013.
[Forthcoming]
Beeson MS, Marco CA, Nelson RN, Korte RC.
Components of the model of the clinical practice of
emergency medicine: a survey of American Board of
Emergency Medicine diplomates. J Emerg Med.
2013;44(6):1153-66. doi:
10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.11.089. Epub 2013 Mar 28.
Beeson MS, Carter WA, Christopher TA, Heidt JW,
Jones JH, Meyer LE, Promes SB, Rodgers KG, Shayne
PH, Swing SR, Wagner MJ. The development of the
emergency medicine milestones. Acad Emerg Med.
2013 Jul;20(7):724-9. doi: 10.1111/acem.12157. Epub
2013 Jun 19.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Nelson RN, Demystifying Maintenance of
Certification. Ann Emerg Med. 2013;pii: S01960644(13)00097-8. doi:
10.1016/j.annemergmed.2013.01.025.
[Epub ahead of print]
35
Board Contributors
The individuals listed below have volunteered their time and expertise to ABEM in a variety of ways during the past year.
The ABEM Board of Directors appreciates the contributions and commitment of these physicians to the specialty of
Emergency Medicine.
ITEM WRITERS
Item writer responsibilities include the timely submission of several annual assignments and participation in the annual Item
Writers’ Workshop. The following individuals served as ABEM item writers during the past year. The examination to which each
writer contributed is indicated.
Felix Ankel, M.D.
Roseville, MN
ConCert™
Deepi G. Goyal, M.D.
Rochester, MN
In-training
John P. Marshall, M.D.
Brooklyn, NY
In-training
Jeanne M. Basior, M.D.
Getzville, NY
ConCert™
Eric A. Gross, M.D.
Columbia, MO
In-training
Lewis S. Nelson, M.D.
Demarest, NJ
Qualifying
Paul R. Bender, M.D.
Lakewood, CO
LLSA
Samuel M. Keim, M.D.
Tucson, AZ
ConCert™
Kelly P. O’Keefe, M.D.
Lutz, FL
LLSA
Francis J. DeRoos, M.D.
Newtown Square, PA
LLSA
John L. Kendall, M.D.
Denver, CO
Qualifying
James D. Thomas, M.D.
Wareham, MA
LLSA
Susan E. Farrell, M.D.
Newton, MA
Qualifying
Sorabh Khandelwal, M.D.
Dublin, OH
Qualifying
Sam S. Torbati, M.D.
Studio City, CA
Qualifying
Gregory P. Garra, D.O.
Lloyd Harbor, NY
ConCert™
Steven L. Kronick, M.D.
Ann Arbor, MI
LLSA
Ernest E. Wang, M.D.
Chicago, IL
In-training
Theodore Glynn, M.D.
Williamston, MI
Qualifying
O. John Ma, M.D.
Portland, OR
ConCert™
Donald M. Yealy, M.D.
Pittsburgh, PA
Qualifying
Diane L. Gorgas, M.D.
Worthington, OH
In-training
Swaminatha V. Mahadevan, M.D.
Palo Alto, CA
In-training
36
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
SENIOR ORAL CASE REVIEWERS
Senior oral case reviewers periodically review and edit oral cases and participate in the development of new oral cases as
needed. The following individuals served as senior oral case reviewers during the past year.
Janet G. Alteveer, M.D.
Moorestown, NJ
Jorge del Castillo, M.D.
Wilmette, IL
Kent T. Shoji, M.D.
Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Marc A. Borenstein, M.D.
Mt. Kisco, NY
Deepi G. Goyal, M.D.
Rochester, MN
Elizabeth Tso, M.D.
Crownsville, MD
Carl R. Chudnofsky, M.D.
Villanova, PA
Kenneth C. Jackimczyk, Jr., M.D.
Scottsdale, AZ
Saralyn R. Williams, M.D.
Franklin, TN
Martin E. Lutz, M.D.
Greenville, SC
Allan B. Wolfson, M.D.
Pittsburgh, PA
EXAMINATION AND RESEARCH PANEL APPOINTMENTS
Each year, ABEM selects individuals to participate in meetings related to the development and maintenance of the
Board’s multiple choice question and oral examination programs. Participation requires significant meeting preparation.
The following individuals supported ABEM in such a capacity during the past year.
Stimulus Collection and Review (SCR) Panel
Hal J. Minnigan, M.D.
Indianapolis, IN
Jason C. Wagner, M.D.
St. Louis, MO
Benson Yeh, M.D.
Jericho, NY
Field Test Development Working Group
Suzanne R. White, M.D.
Farmington, MI
Saralyn R. Williams, M.D.
Franklin, TN
Aaron N. Barksdale, M.D.
Elkhorn, NE
Michael J. Bono, M.D.
Suffolk, VA
Liudvikas Jagminas, M.D.
E. Greenwich, RI
Andrew Beckman, M.D.
Indianapolis, IN
J.F. Donal Conway, M.B., B.CH
Milford, CT
Jillian L. McGrath, M.D.
Columbus, OH
Carl R. Chudnofsky, M.D.
Villanova, PA
LLSA CME Reading Panel
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
37
EXAMINERS FOR THE 2012-13 ORAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS
The oral certification examinations were administered in October 2012 and May 2013, and required a four-and-one-half day
and four-day commitment respectively. The following individuals participated as oral examiners at one or both of these
examinations as indicated. Examination dates followed with “TL” indicate that the individual served as a team leader for that
examination. Examination dates followed by a “B” indicate the individual served in a back-up role for that examination.
Individuals who received awards during the past year for participation in 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, or 50 oral examinations are noted.
Hector G. Aguilera, M.D.
Northbrook, IL
May 2013
Jeanne M. Basior, M.D.
Getzville, NY
October 2012
Patrick H. Brunett, M.D.
Portland, OR
May 2013 (8 exams)
Saadia Akhtar, M.D.
Flushing, NY
October 2012
Aveh Bastani, M.D.
Franklin, MI
May 2013
David S. Bullard, M.D.
North Kingstown, RI
October 2012, May 2013
Janet G. Alteveer, M.D.
Moorestown, NJ
May 2013 – TL
Beverly H. Bauman, M.D.
Harlingen, TX
May 2013
William P. Burdick, M.D.
Philadelphia, PA
May 2013
James T. Amsterdam, M.D.
York, PA
October 2012, May 2013 (40 exams)
Michael R. Baumann, M.D.
Falmouth, ME
October 2012, May 2013
Brian E. Burgess, M.D.
Hockessin, DE
October 2012 –TL, May 2013
Felix Ankel, M.D.
Roseville, MN
May 2013
Michael S. Beeson, M.D.
Stow, OH
October 2012 – TL
Scott H. Burner, M.D.
St. Louis, MO
October 2012 (24 exams), May 2013
James V. Antinori, M.D.
Park City, UT
October 2012, May 2013
Laurel R. Berge, M.D.
Portland, OR
October 2012
Joseph M. Bustamante, III, D.O.
Haslett, MI
May 2013
Christian Arbelaez, M.D.
Needham, MA
October 2012
Kenneth S. Bishop, D.O.
Franklin, MI
May 2013
Philip M. Buttaravoli, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL
October 2012 (32 exams),
May 2013 – B
Gaurav Arora, M.D.
Indianapolis, IN
October 2012, May 2013
Brooks F. Bock, M.D.
Vail, CO
October 2012 (32 exams)
John Bailitz, M.D.
River Forest, IL
October 2012
Marc A. Borenstein, M.D.
Mt. Kisco, NY
October 2012
James D. Barry, M.D.
Virginia Beach, VA
May 2013
Christina L. Bourne, M.D.
Mt. Pleasant, SC
May 2013
Joel M. Bartfield, M.D.
Slingerlands, NY
October 2012
Mark W. Brautigan, M.D.
White Lake, MI
October 2012
Erik D. Barton, M.D.
Park City, UT
May 2013
Michael J. Breyer, M.D.
Denver, CO
May 2013
Melissa A. Barton, M.D.
Royal Oak, MI
October 2012
Michael D. Brown, M.D.
Grand Rapids, MI
May 2013
38
Yvette Calderon, M.D.
Bronx, NY
May 2013
Stephen V. Cantrill, M.D.
Denver, CO
October 2012 (16 exams), May 2013
Jeffrey P. Caporossi, M.D.
Greensboro, NC
October 2012, May 2013
Gail N. Carruthers, M.D.
Manhattan Beach, CA
October 2012
Wallace A. Carter, Jr., M.D.
Bronxville, NY
May 2013
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Jennifer J. Casaletto, M.D.
Mount Holly, NC
May 2013
Karen S. Cosby, M.D.
Naperville, IL
May 2013
Deborah B. Diercks, M.D.
Roseville, CA
October 2012
Douglas M. Char, M.D.
St. Louis, MO
October 2012
Melissa W. Costello, M.D.
Mobile, AL
October 2012
Arthur L. Diskin, M.D.
Miami Beach, FL
May 2013
David Cheng, M.D.
Strongsville, OH
October 2012
Kathleen M. Cowling, D.O.
Saginaw, MI
October 2012
Jeff D. Disney, M.D.
Portland, OR
May 2013
William K. Chiang, M.D.
Closter, NJ
May 2013
Todd J. Crocco, M.D.
Morgantown, WV
October 2012
Jeffrey P. Druck, M.D.
Aurora, CO
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Robert G. Chin, M.D.
West Nyack, NY
May 2013
Catherine A. Cummings, M.D.
Providence, RI
May 2013
Linda M. Druelinger, M.D.
Lemont, IL
October 2012
Michael C. Choo, M.D.
Centerville, OH
October 2012 (8 exams), May 2013 – B
Carol A. Cunningham, M.D.
Kirtland, OH
October 2012, May 2013 (8 exams)
Susan E. Dufel, M.D.
Hartford, CT
October 2012 (24 exams), May 2013 – B
Lawrence Chu, M.D.
Bellevue, WA
October 2012
Rita K. Cydulka, M.D.
Shaker Heights, OH
October 2012, May 2013
Joanne M. Edney, M.D.
Golden, CO
May 2013
Carl R. Chudnofsky, M.D.
Villanova, PA
October 2012 (16 exams) – TL,
May 2013 – TL
Mark J.K. Dalton, M.D.
Farmingdale, NJ
May 2013
Matthew T. Emery, M.D.
East Grand Rapids, MI
October 2012
Stephen R. Dannewitz, M.D.
Key Largo, FL
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Thomas B. Ettinger, M.D.
Cashmere, WA
October 2012
Daniel F. Danzl, M.D.
Floyds Knobs, IN
October 2012
Susan E. Farrell, M.D.
Newton, MA
October 2012, May 2013 (8 exams)
Michelle M. Davitt, M.D.
Bellmore, NY
May 2013
Robert W. Faulkner, M.D.
Akron, OH
October 2012
Christian R. DeFazio, M.D.
Buffalo, NY
October 2012, May 2013
Kim M. Feldhaus, M.D.
Lafayette, CO
October 2012
Jorge del Castillo, M.D.
Wilmette, IL
October 2012 – TL, May 2013 – TL
Richard M. Feldman, M.D.
Chicago, IL
October 2012 – TL
Theodore R. Delbridge, M.D.
Greenville, NC
October 2012
William B. Felegi, D.O.
Bridgewater, NJ
October 2012, May 2013 – B
William H. Dice, M.D.
Colden, NY
May 2013
Scott E. Felten, M.D.
Tulsa, OK
May 2013
Amy F. Church, M.D.
Stockton, NJ
October 2012, May 2013
Carol L. Clark, M.D.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
October 2012, May 2013
Joseph E. Clinton, M.D.
Edina, MN
October 2012
Christopher B. Colwell, M.D.
Greenwood Village, CO
October 2012, May 2013
James A. Comes, M.D.
Clovis, CA
May 2013
William A. Conrad, M.D.
Santa Monica, CA
May 2013
Randolph J. Cordle, M.D.
Fort Mill, SC
May 2013
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
39
Madonna Fernandez-Frackelton, M.D.
Villa Park, CA
October 2012
Cai Glushak, M.D.
Chicago, IL
October 2012 – B, May 2013
Richard F. Handin, M.D.
Santa Barbara, CA
October 2012
John T. Finnell, II, M.D.
Zionsville, IN
October 2012
Theodore Glynn, M.D.
Williamston, MI
May 2013
Kristin E. Harkin, M.D.
New Rochelle, NY
May 2013
Albert B. Fiorello, M.D.
Tucson, AZ
May 2013
Charles Goldstein, M.D.
Scottsdale, AZ
October 2012
Sean O. Henderson, M.D.
La Verne, CA
October 2012
James S. Fishkin, M.D.
Pacific Palisades, CA
October 2012
Peter E. Gordon, M.D.
New Berlin, NY
May 2013
Philip L. Henneman, M.D.
Sunapee, NH
October 2012 – TL
Theodore J. Gaeta, D.O.
West Harrison, NY
May 2013 (8 exams)
Diane L. Gorgas, M.D.
Worthington, OH
October 2012 – TL, May 2013 – B
Aaron H. Hexdall, M.D.
Florence, MA
May 2013
Fiona Gallahue, M.D.
Seattle, WA
October 2012
Deepi G. Goyal, M.D.
Rochester, MN
October 2012, May 2013
Robert S. Hockberger, M.D.
Redondo Beach, CA
October 2012 (40 exams)
Angela K. F. Gardner, M.D.
Grapevine, TX
October 2012
Charles S. Graffeo, M.D.
Virginia Beach, VA
October 2012
Teresita M. Hogan, M.D.
Northbrook, IL
October 2012
Gus M. Garmel, M.D.
San Francisco, CA
May 2013 – TL
Kelly Gray-Eurom, M.D.
Jacksonville, FL
October 2012
Mark S. Holcomb, M.D.
Olathe, KS
October 2012 (16 exams)
Victoria E. Garrett, M.D.
Miami, FL
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Jeffrey P. Green, M.D.
Davis, CA
May 2013
Lynne M. Holden, M.D.
New Rochelle, NY
October 2012, May 2013
Jocelyn F. Garrick, M.D.
Oakland, CA
May 2013
Matthew Griffin, M.D.
Livonia, MI
October 2012
Brian R. Holroyd, M.D.
Edmonton, AB, Canada
October 2012 – TL, May 2013 – TL
Gary L. Gerschke, M.D.
Brookfield, WI
October 2012
Eric A. Gross, M.D.
Columbia, MO
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Laura Hopson, M.D.
Ann Arbor, MI
October 2012
Michael A. Gertz, M.D.
Agoura Hills, CA
May 2013
Theresa M. Gunnarson, M.D.
Duluth, MN
October 2012
Brian T. Hoyt, M.D.
Longview, WA
May 2013
Mark S. Gibson, M.D.
Barrington, IL
May 2013
Dean E. Gushee, M.D.
Shelton, WA
October 2012, May 2013
Lisandro Irizarry, M.D.
North Woodmere, NY
May 2013
Susan L. Gin-Shaw, M.D.
Phoenix, AZ
October 2012
Leon L. Haley, Jr., M.D.
Mableton, GA
May 2013
Raymond E. Jackson, M.D.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
October 2012
Gary T. Giorgio, M.D.
Wadsworth, OH
May 2013
Mary E. Hancock, M.D.
Elyria, OH
May 2013
F. Michael Jaggi, D.O.
Grand Blanc, MI
October 2012
40
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Marynell Jelinek, M.D.
Culver City, CA
October 2012, May 2013
Morris S. Kharasch, M.D.
Highland Park, IL
May 2013
Patricia G. S. Lee, M.D.
Oak Park, IL
May 2013
Andrew D. Jenis, M.D.
Ithaca, NY
October 2012
Rahul K. Khare, M.D.
Chicago, IL
May 2013
Resa E. Lewiss, M.D.
New York, NY
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Ilse M. Jenouri, M.D.
Providence, RI
May 2013
Hyung T. Kim, M.D.
Pasadena, CA
May 2013
Horace K. Liang, M.D.
Baltimore, MD
October 2012
Ramon W. Johnson, M.D.
Laguna Beach, CA
October 2012 (16 exams) – TL
Barry J. Knapp, M.D.
Norfolk, VA
October 2012
G. Patrick Lilja, M.D.
Minneapolis, MN
May 2013
Kerin A. Jones, M.D.
Ann Arbor, MI
May 2013
Jon R. Knapp, M.D.
Greensboro, NC
October 2012
Derek R. Linklater, M.D.
Belton, TX
May 2013 – B
Robert A. Jones, D.O.
Akron, OH
May 2013 (8 exams)
Sanford H. Koltonow, M.D.
Beverly Hills, MI
October 2012
Rodney A. Loeffler, M.D.
Fair Oaks, CA
October 2012 (8 exams)
John R. Joseph, M.D.
Brunswick, ME
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Rashmikant U. Kothari, M.D.
Kalamazoo, MI
October 2012
Heather Long, M.D.
Stone Ridge, NY
October 2012, May 2013
Nicholas J. Jouriles, M.D.
Moreland Hills, OH
October 2012
Sarkis R. Kouyoumjian, M.D.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
October 2012
Mark J. Lowell, M.D.
Brighton, MI
May 2013
Sharhabeel M. Jwayyed, M.D.
Copley, OH
May 2013
Craig E. Krausz, M.D.
Kirkwood, MO
May 2013
Michael H. Luszczak, D.O.
Carmichael, CA
October 2012, May 2013
Achyut B. Kamat, M.D.
Providence, RI
May 2013
Dick C. Kuo, M.D.
Pearland, TX
October 2012
O. John Ma, M.D.
Portland, OR
May 2013 – TL
Kathryn E. Kampen, M.D.
Holland, MI
May 2013
Thomas G. Kwiatkowski, M.D.
Lake Success, NY
May 2013 (16 exams)
Richard S. MacKenzie, M.D.
Allentown, PA
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Juliana Karp, M.D.
Tampa, FL
May 2013
William B. Lauth, M.D.
Riverwoods, IL
October 2012
William M. Maguire, M.D.
St. Paul, MN
October 2012
Lawrence E. Kass, M.D.
Harrisburg, PA
May 2013
Eric J. Lavonas, M.D.
Denver, CO
May 2013
Sujal S. Mandavia, M.D.
Los Angeles, CA
October 2012
Gary R. Katz, M.D.
Dublin, OH
May 2013
Jonathan D. Lawrence, M.D.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
October 2012
Michael A. Manka, M.D.
East Amherst, NY
October 2012
Samuel M. Keim, M.D.
Tucson, AZ
May 2013
David C. Lee, M.D.
Manhasset, NY
May 2013 – B
Jeffrey A. Manko, M.D.
Rye Brook, NY
May 2013
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
41
Robert Marcus, M.D.
Katonah, NY
October 2012 (24 exams)
Sameer D. Mistry, M.D.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
October 2012 (8 exams), May 2013
Elizabeth M. Nestor, M.D.
Wakefield, RI
May 2013
Vincent J. Markovchick, M.D.
Golden, CO
October 2012
Gary P. Moreau, M.D.
Anaheim, CA
October 2012
Donald L. Norris, M.D.
Columbus, OH
October 2012
John P. Marshall, M.D.
Brooklyn, NY
May 2013
Jeffrey Morris, M.D.
Medford, NJ
October 2012
Robert E. O’Connor, M.D.
Charlottesville, VA
October 2012 (16 exams), May 2013
Anthony S. Mazzeo, M.D.
Penn Valley, PA
May 2013
Daniel S. Morrison, M.D.
Manalapan, NJ
May 2013
Edward A. Panacek, M.D.
Sacramento, CA
May 2013
Jane McCall, M.D.
Spartanburg, SC
October 2012 (24 exams), May 2013
Usamah Mossallam, M.D.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
October 2012, May 2013
Robert A. Partridge, M.D.
Needham, MA
May 2013
Richard Y. McConnell, M.D.
Covington, LA
May 2013
Paula D. Mueller, M.D.
Orlando, FL
May 2013
Debra J. Paulson, M.D.
Independence, WV
October 2012
Robert F. McCormack, M.D.
East Amherst, NY
October 2012
Robert A. Mulliken, M.D.
Western Springs, IL
October 2012
Philip A. Pazderka, M.D.
Plainwell, MI
May 2013
Richard M. McDowell, M.D.
Holualoa, HI
May 2013
Tiffany E. Murano, M.D.
New City, NY
May 2013
Thomas B. Perera, M.D.
Scarsdale, NY
October 2012, May 2013 – B
James D. McGettigan, M.D.
Annapolis, MD
October 2012
Daniel G. Murphy, M.D.
Garden City, NY
May 2013
Christopher W. Pergrem, M.D.
Evergreen, CO
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Patrick A. McNulty, M.D.
Kenner, LA
May 2013 (32 exams)
Kathleen M. Myers, M.D.
Lake Oswego, OR
May 2013
Debra G. Perina, M.D.
Ruckersville, VA
October 2012 (24 exams), May 2013
Abhishek Mehrotra, M.D.
Durham, NC
May 2013
Eric S. Nadel, M.D.
Boston, MA
May 2013
Marcia A. Perry, M.D.
Ann Arbor, MI
October 2012, May 2013
Jeffrey S. Menkes, M.D.
Manchester, CT
May 2013
Kris S. Narasimhan, M.D.
Northbrook, IL
May 2013 – TL
Melissa A. Platt, M.D.
Louisville, KY
May 2013
J. Mark Meredith, M.D.
Chatsworth, NJ
October 2012 – TL, May 2013
Isam F. Nasr, M.D.
Chicago, IL
October 2012
Gary F. Pollock, M.D.
Oakdale, PA
October 2012
Michael A. Miller, M.D.
Honolulu, HI
May 2013 (8 exams)
Lewis S. Nelson, M.D.
Demarest, NJ
May 2013
David C. Portelli, M.D.
Barrington, RI
May 2013
James Miner, M.D.
Minnetrista, MN
May 2013
Marc S. Nelson, M.D.
Redwood City, CA
October 2012 (24 exams), May 2013
Lawrence Proano, M.D.
Providence, RI
October 2012
42
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Les M. Puretz, D.O.
Okemos, MI
October 2012 – B, May 2013
Osman Sayan, M.D.
Leonia, NJ
May 2013
Philip H. Shayne, M.D.
Atlanta, GA
May 2013
Shahrzad Rafiee, M.D.
Los Angeles, CA
October 2012
Shari L. Schabowski, M.D.
River Forest, IL
May 2013
Stephen R. Shea, M.D.
Huntington Beach, CA
October 2012
John H. Raife, Jr., M.D.
Phoenix, AZ
May 2013
Robert W. Schafermeyer, M.D.
Charlotte, NC
October 2012, May 2013
Peter L. Shearer, M.D.
New York, NY
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Danielle S. Ray, M.D.
Summerfield, NC
October 2012
Jeffrey J. Schaider, M.D.
River Forest, IL
May 2013
Kent T. Shoji, M.D.
Rolling Hills Estates, CA
October 2012 – TL
Lynne D. Richardson, M.D.
New York, NY
May 2013
Mary J. Schlaff, M.D.
Beverly Hills, MI
October 2012 (16 exams), May 2013
Paul A. Silka, M.D.
Pacific Palisades, CA
May 2013
Robert A. Riggs, M.D.
Naperville, IL
October 2012
Jeffrey I. Schneider, M.D.
Hingham, MA
May 2013
Mark A. Silverberg, M.D.
Brooklyn, NY
May 2013
David C. Riley, M.D.
New York, NY
October 2012
Steven J. Schorer, M.D.
Granite Bay, CA
May 2013
Robert D. Slay, M.D.
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
October 2012 (24 exams)
Edgardo J. Rivera-Rivera, M.D.
Ocoee, FL
October 2012, May 2013 – B
C. Blake Schug, M.D.
Clovis, CA
May 2013
David H. Smile, M.D.
Cincinnati, OH
October 2012
Linda A. Robinson, M.D.
Miami, FL
May 2013 (8 exams)
Gerald R. Schwartz, M.D.
Southern Pines, NC
May 2013
Larry O. Smith, M.D.
Mazama, WA
October 2012, May 2013
E. Jedd Roe, III, M.D.
Littleton, CO
October 2012, May 2013
Joseph A. Scott, M.D.
Coral Gables, FL
May 2013
Mitchell C. Sokolosky, M.D.
Winston-Salem, NC
October 2012
Christopher Ross, M.D.
Chicago, IL
May 2013 (8 exams)
Gary S. Setnik, M.D.
Winchester, MA
October 2012
Jeremy D. Sperling, M.D.
Mamaroneck, NY
May 2013
John C. Sakles, M.D.
Tucson, AZ
May 2013
Rawle A. Seupaul, M.D.
Westfield, IN
May 2013
Keith D. Stamler, M.D.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
October 2012
Philip N. Salen, M.D.
Bethleham, PA
October 2012
Fred A. Severyn, M.D.
Littleton, CO
May 2013
Stephen C. Stanfield, M.D.
Lakeville, MN
October 2012
Bonnie Salomon, M.D.
Deerfield, IL
October 2012
Rahul Sharma, M.D.
New York, NY
May 2013
Richard L. Stennes, M.D.
La Jolla, CA
October 2012
Leon Sanchez, M.D.
Boston, MA
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Miles Shaw, M.D.
Long Beach, CA
October 2012 – TL
Lawrence M. Stock, M.D.
Malibu, CA
May 2013
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
43
Jason P. Stopyra, M.D.
Rural Hall, NC
May 2013
Andrew S. Ulrich, M.D.
Boston, MA
May 2013
Saralyn R. Williams, M.D.
Franklin, TN
May 2013
D. Matthew Sullivan, M.D.
Charlotte, NC
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Henry D. Unger, M.D.
Wyncote, PA
October 2012
Michael D. Witting, M.D.
Millersville, MD
October 2012
Robert E. Suter, D.O.
Dallas, TX
October 2012, May 2013
Phyllis A. Vallee, M.D.
Grosse Pointe Park, MI
October 2012
John M. Wogan, M.D.
Baltimore, MD
October 2012
Elizabeth M. Sutton, M.D.
Warwick, RI
October 2012
Michael J. VanRooyen, M.D.
Wayland, MA
October 2012
Stephen J. Wolf, M.D.
Denver, CO
October 2012
John A. Tafuri, M.D.
Westlake, OH
October 2012, May 2013 – B
Vikram M. Varma, M.D.
Holmdel, NJ
October 2012
Allan B. Wolfson, M.D.
Pittsburgh, PA
May 2013
Thomas A. Tallman, D.O.
Shaker Heights, OH
October 2012
Michael C. Wadman, M.D.
Omaha, NE
October 2012, May 2013 (8 exams)
John D. Wood, D.O.
Sacramento, CA
October 2012, May 2013
Vivek S. Tayal, M.D.
Charlotte, NC
May 2013
Gregory L. Walker, M.D.
Mason, MI
May 2013
Charles C. Worrilow, M.D.
Fogelsville, PA
May 2013 (8 exams)
Ralph N. Terpolilli, M.D.
San Antonio, TX
October 2012
Ron M. Walls, M.D.
Boston, MA
May 2013 (8 exams)
Barbara N. Wynn, M.D.
E. Grand Rapids, MI
May 2013 – TL
Josette A. Teuscher, M.D.
Colden, NY
May 2013
Ernest E. Wang, M.D.
Chicago, IL
October 2012
Donald M. Yealy, M.D.
Pittsburgh, PA
October 2012, May 2013
Harold A. Thomas, Jr., M.D.
Lake Oswego, OR
October 2012, May 2013
Thomas A. Waters, M.D.
Avon, OH
May 2013
Albert S. Yee, M.D.
Milwaukee, WI
October 2012
James D. Thomas, M.D.
Wareham, MA
October 2012, May 2013 – TL
Anthony J. Weekes, M.D.
Weddington, NC
May 2013
Benson Yeh, M.D.
Jericho, NY
October 2012, May 2013
David M. Trantham, M.D.
Warsaw, MO
October 2012
Albert C. Weihl, M.D.
Kihei, HI
October 2012, May 2013 (16 exams)
William V. Yount, M.D.
Chicago, IL
October 2012
Albert K. Tsai, M.D.
Minneapolis, MN
October 2012
Suzanne R. White, M.D.
Farmington, MI
October 2012, May 2013
Richard D. Zane, M.D.
Cherry Hills Village, CO
May 2013
Elizabeth Tso, M.D.
Crownsville, MD
October 2012
Herbert N. Wigder, M.D.
West Chicago, IL
October 2012
Stacie J. Zelman, M.D.
Winston-Salem, NC
October 2012
John F. Tucker, M.D.
Fox Point, WI
May 2013
Joseph A. Wilkinson, M.D.
Greenwich, CT
October 2012
James M. Ziadeh, M.D.
Northville, MI
October 2012
Michael A. Turturro, M.D.
Pittsburgh, PA
October 2012, May 2013
44
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
ABEM History
T
he following milestones describe selected
highlights of the events that shaped
ABEM’s history.
In 1977, ABEM administered a full-scale field
test using the examination produced by COBE
and the Office of Medical Education Research
and Development (OMERAD) at Michigan State
University. This examination used written item
formats and a unique case simulation oral
examination.
ABEM IN THE 1960s AND 1970s
EM is the 23rd recognized medical specialty in
the United States. In the early 1960s, the
United States public began to demand improved
quality of care in hospital emergency
departments. In response, hospitals developed
full-time emergency services. As a result, a
number of physicians began developing the
training and practice of EM.
In 1976, ABEM submitted an application to
ABMS seeking primary board status. This
application was referred to the Liaison
Committee for Specialty Boards (LCSB), a
committee comprised of AMA and ABMS
representatives. The LCSB conducted open
hearings to review the application. At the close
of these hearings, the LCSB recommended
primary board approval and sent the
recommendation to its parent bodies. The AMA
Council on Medical Education approved this
recommendation, but the ABMS defeated it.
To support this growing physician group, new
organizations formed, such as ACEP and the
University Association for Emergency Medical
Services (UA/EMS), which is now SAEM.
These organizations became the focal point for
emergency physician education and the
development of high-quality training programs.
At the suggestion of various ABMS members,
representatives from other specialty boards held
a lengthy series of discussions from which a
recommendation emerged for a second
application, this time seeking approval for a
conjoint board (modified). This time both the
AMA Council on Medical Education and the
ABMS approved the application.
In the early 1970s, ACEP members developed
the Committee on Board Establishment
(COBE). The Committee began the arduous
process of setting forth the standards for
credentials and certification in EM.
ABEM was incorporated in 1976. During this
same period, there was increased interest in
providing EM graduate training programs. The
UA/EMS and ACEP established the Liaison
Residency Endorsement Committee whose
endorsement process patterned the Liaison
Committee for Graduate Medical Education and
used the AMA-approved standards for reviewing
and accrediting graduate training programs.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
In September 1979, EM became the 23rd
recognized medical specialty.
The original ABEM sponsors were ACEP, AMA,
and UA/EMS, and the following seven specialty
boards: American Board of Family Practice
(ABFP); American Board of Internal Medicine
(ABIM); American Board of Obstetrics and
Gynecology (ABOG); American Board of
Otolaryngology (ABOto); American Board of
Pediatrics (ABP); American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology (ABPN); and American Board of
Surgery (ABS).
45
ABEM IN THE 1980s
On June 12, 1993, ABEM dedicated a new
headquarters building in East Lansing,
Michigan. The building is a unique design and
represents the Board’s dedication to quality and
high standards.
ABEM offered the first EM certification
examinations in 1980 and certified its first
diplomates in that year.
ABEM contracted OMERAD at Michigan State
University to develop and present an annual
workshop for ABEM item writers, beginning in
1985. This annual workshop is now developed
and conducted internally. ABEM contracted
OMERAD in 1986-1987 to develop a high-level,
formal training program for ABEM oral
examiners, which has continued to expand with
additional refinements.
In June 1994, ABEM initiated the LSEP and
recruited 1,008 emergency physicians to be
lifetime participants. The study gathers
information on professional interests, attitudes,
and goals; training, certification, and licensing;
professional experience; well-being and leisure
activities; and demographic information. In
1996, ABEM initiated the ABEM LSEMR.
In the fall of 1997, ABEM established the
Presentation to Training Programs (PTP)
through which directors deliver information in
person to all ACGME-accredited EM residency
training programs on a rotating three- or fouryear basis. The purpose of the presentation is to
enhance communications between ABEM and
residents; to clearly identify ABEM as the premier
certifying body in EM; and to answer the most
important questions residents have about
certification, training, and other issues in EM.
In May 1987, ABEM submitted an application to
ABMS for conversion to primary board status.
The ABMS Assembly defeated this application by
a vote of 52-48, with six abstentions. Approval
required a two-thirds ABMS Assembly vote. On
May 11, 1989, ABEM submitted a new
application to ABMS for conversion to primary
board status. ABEM’s sponsors and most other
ABMS Member Boards supported this
application. On September 22, 1989, the ABMS
Assembly voted unanimously to approve the
ABEM application. Ten years after the 1979
original vote making ABEM an ABMS Member
Board with conjoint (modified) status, ABEM
took its place as an ABMS Member Board with
full primary board status.
In 1997, a task force was appointed to define
the context and processes by which a new Core
Content for Emergency Medicine could be
created. The task force initially included
representatives from the sponsor organization:
ABEM, ACEP, SAEM, and the Council of
Emergency Medicine Residency Directors
(CORD). Representatives of the RRC-EM and
EMRA were added as consultants following the
first meeting. ABEM was designated as the
administrative organization for the project.
ABEM offered recertification for the first time in
1989.
ABEM IN THE 1990s
During 1990, guidelines for five-year combined
training programs were approved for Emergency
Medicine/Internal Medicine and Emergency
Medicine/Pediatrics. Upon completion of these
training programs, physicians can access the
certification examinations in EM and Internal
Medicine, or EM and Pediatrics.
In February 1999, ABEM and ABIM approved
guidelines for a six-year combined training
program that, upon completion, provides
physicians the option for triple certification in
EM, Internal Medicine, and CCM.
In December 1999, after 20 years of service to
ABEM, Benson S. Munger, Ph.D., retired his
position as the first ABEM Executive Director.
Dr. Munger was recognized for his insight, skill,
and focus on the importance of establishing and
nurturing the ABEM family with his creativity,
Soon after receiving primary board status, ABEM
began working with other ABMS Member
Boards to develop subspecialty certification for
ABEM diplomates. The table at the end of this
document lists each subspecialty.
46
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
leadership, warmth, and other seminal
contributions to the specialty. In March 2000,
Mary Ann Reinhart, Ph.D., was selected as the
new ABEM Executive Director. Dr. Reinhart
began her work with ABEM in 1985 as a faculty
member in OMERAD and joined ABEM in
1988. She served as Deputy Executive Director
from 1995-2000.
with the chief resident, faculty, department
chair, or others identified by the program;
meeting in venues identified by the program;
and giving a presentation in an area of the
director’s expertise.
In January 2005, the bylaws were changed to
create a Board comprised entirely of emergency
physicians. The amended bylaws were
supported by all of ABEM’s sponsors. The
following boards withdrew as sponsors in
January 2006: ABIM, ABOG, ABP, ABPN, ABS.
(The ABFP and ABOto had withdrawn as
sponsors in in 1986 and 1992, respectively.)
The Board of Directors commissioned the
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Task Force
in 1999. Its goal was to evaluate current needs
and trends in medical specialty recertification in
order to develop a new approach to
recertification. From the work of the Task Force,
ABEM developed the EMCC program. The
EMCC program is anchored in the ABMS MOC®
As planned, the 2005 LLSA test was posted on
April 1, 2005, and retired on March 31, 2008.
This was the first LLSA test to be retired.
guidelines for all Member Boards that were
developed in conjunction with the ACGME
program designed to train and assess residents
in specialty-specific components of competence.
An MOC program in Medical Toxicology was
developed for implementation in 2006, and
began in January 2006. The first MedTox LLSA
test was implemented in June 2009 and the
Medical Toxicology Subboard recommendations
regarding the implementation of APP were
approved.
ABEM IN THE 2000s
The Core Content Task Force II received
approval of The Model of the Clinical Practice of
Emergency Medicine (EM Model) from the
sponsor organizations in February 2001. ABEM
adapted the EM Model for use as an
examination blueprint for all of the ABEM
examinations. The fall 2002 written certification
and recertification examinations were
constructed in accordance with the EM Model.
In 2005, ABEM administered the last paper-andpencil written certification examination and for
the first time began development of a computerdelivered examination to be administered in
testing centers in November 2006. The name of
the “written” certification examination was
changed to “qualifying” examination, a label
that reflects its essential purpose in the
certification process.
In January 2004, ABEM implemented the first
three components of EMCC (MOC). APP was
scheduled to begin in 2010.
The 2006 Medical Toxicology certification
examination and the MOC cognitive expertise
examination were changed to computerdelivered examinations for administration in
computer-based testing centers.
On April 5, 2004, diplomates were granted
access to EMCC Online, the interactive EMCC
portion of the ABEM website that provides
ABEM diplomates access to a secure, personal
homepage where they can track their status
within the EMCC program.
In 2006, ABEM and ABFM approved guidelines
for a five-year combined training program that,
upon completion, provides graduates the
opportunity to seek certification in both EM and
Family Medicine.
In 2004, ABEM implemented a new program to
replace the former PTP. The new program,
called Residency Visitation Program (RVP),
includes more options to share topics of interest
with EM residency programs, faculty, and
attending physicians. These include meeting
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
47
In September 2006, ABEM joined nine other
ABMS Member Boards in sponsoring the newlyapproved ABMS subspecialty of Hospice and
Palliative Medicine (HPM). The first
certification examination was given in 2008.
In March 2007, the American Board of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation was approved by
ABMS as a co-sponsor of Sports Medicine.
subspecialty examination in February 2011. The
first examination is scheduled for the fall of
2013. Diplomates from any Member Board may
apply for certification in EMS.
On April 1, 2011, ABEM diplomates were able to
apply for CME for completing the 2011 LLSA
CME Activity. This opportunity was the result of
an unprecedented collaboration between ABEM,
ACEP, and AAEM. Diplomates can apply for the
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for this activity
through either AAEM or ACEP. A similar
opportunity is also available with the 2012 and
2013 LLSA CME Activities.
In February 2008, an Initial Certification Task
Force was established to review the initial
certification process to assure that the content
and methods used to determine whether
candidates meet current standards of practice
remain relevant and effective.
In May 2011, the bylaws were changed to create a
new standing committee, the Finance Committee.
The previous Executive Finance Committee was
changed to the Executive Committee.
ABEM IN THE 2010s
In January 2010, APP, the fourth component of
EMCC (MOC) began for some diplomates who
were able to attest to completion of their APP
requirements by using EMCC Online.
In July 2011, the ABEM Board of Directors
broadened the scope of the RVP Committee and
changed its name to the Communications
Committee. The Committee was charged in part
with assisting the Board to define how to
maintain effective and efficient communications
with internal and external audiences, and
reviewing the efficacy and efficiency of
communications efforts.
On March 31, 2010, after almost 23 years of
service to ABEM, Mary Ann Reinhart, Ph.D.,
retired her position as the second ABEM
Executive Director. Through her creativity and
leadership, ABEM continued to make seminal
contributions to the continued development of
the specialty.
On May 1, 2010, Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D., was
selected as the new ABEM Executive Director.
Dr. Reisdorff had been active with ABEM as an
oral certification examination examiner since
1994, an item writer for the qualifying
examination from 1999-2009, a Senior Case
Reviewer for the oral certification examination,
and participated as a member of the Case
Development Panel.
On September 21, 2011, at the General Assembly
meeting of the ABMS, ABEM and ABIM cosponsorship of the subspecialty of Internal
Medicine-Critical Care Medicine (IM-CCM) was
unanimously approved. Emergency physicians can
now participate in Internal Medicine–sponsored
Critical Care Medicine (CCM) fellowships and
be eligible to seek board certification. IM-CCM
became the seventh subspecialty certification
available to ABEM diplomates.
On September 28, 2010, the ABMS, at its
General Assembly meeting, approved EMS as its
112th subspecialty, making it the sixth
subspecialty sponsored by ABEM. An EMS
Examination Task Force, composed of 14 EMS
physicians, was appointed by ABEM and began
working on the development of the EMS
In November and December 2011, an
experimental pilot multiple choice question
(MCQ) examination was administered to
emergency physician volunteers at Pearson VUE
Professional Centers. The purpose of this
examination, which was the culmination of the
48
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
• Successfully pilot tested enhanced MCQ
(eMCQ) and enhanced oral (eOral)
examination formats for potential future use
in the initial certification process
work of the ICTF Task Force, was to explore the
use of new stimulus types on ABEM
examinations. A pilot oral examination was
administered in June 2012.
• Recommended an eOral examination format
and an eOral examination blueprint
In January 2012, the ABMS adopted a new
policy defining “board eligibility.” The policy
required all ABMS Member Boards to implement
their own policies that define the acceptable
period of time between the completion of
residency training and the attainment of board
certification, during which, candidates could
refer to themselves as being board eligible. At its
February 2012 meeting, the ABEM Board
established five years as its time limit. Beginning
January 1, 2015, board eligible physicians will
have requirements they must meet to maintain
board eligible status. After the five years have
elapsed, physicians who are not certified will no
longer be recognized as “board eligible.”
• Developed a set of recommendations and a
plan for the development of a field test of the
eMCQ and eOral examinations
• Presented a business plan for implementing
the eMCQ and eOral to the BOD
At the same meeting, the BOD decided that the
new content standards would go into effect with
the 2014 examinations.
In June 2012, ABEM was approved by the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to
participate in the Physician Quality Reporting
System (PQRS) MOC additional incentive
program in 2012. ABEM diplomates who
participated in the program, received an additional
0.5% reimbursement on their Medicare billings if
they met their basic PQRS reporting
requirements. ABEM held a webinar in October
to assist diplomates better understand the
program and how to register and apply for it. The
webinar was recorded and made available on the
ABEM website. ABEM was later approved to
participate in the program again in 2013.
In April 2012, the name of the EMCC program was
changed to ABEM MOC. ABEM, along with the
other 23 ABMS Member Boards, agreed to adopt
common terminology that reflects the continuous
nature of the program and clarifies that physicians
certified in all specialties participate in the same
type of certification process.
In April 2012, an application process for
external organizations that wish to obtain ABEM
pre-approval for APP activities was made
available on the ABEM website. Once an activity
is approved, ABEM diplomates can receive credit
toward their ABEM MOC APP requirements for
completing the activity.
During its tenure, the ICTF accomplished the
following tasks, which together fulfill its
mandate from the BOD:
In September 2012, the Emergency Medicine
Milestones Project was finalized. The EM
Milestones are a matrix of the knowledge, skills,
abilities, attitudes, and experiences that should
be acquired at different points during EM
training. The validation study was conducted by
ABEM, and was published in Academic Emergency
Medicine. The Milestones Project was a joint
initiative of the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and
ABEM, and was supported by representatives of
the Association of Academic Chairs of
Emergency Medicine (AACEM), AAEM, ACEP,
CORD, EMRA, RRC-EM, and SAEM.
• Presented the final list of knowledge, skills,
and abilities, together with related conceptual
standards, for approval by the BOD
Beginning in 2013, the ConCert™ examination is no
longer the final step in becoming recertified; the
four parts of MOC became de-linked. Diplomates
At its July 2012 meeting, the ABEM Board of
Directors approved ending the work of the
Initial Certification Task Force (ICTF), and
transferring its responsibilities for the enhanced
examinations to standing committees.
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
49
can therefore register for and take the ConCert™
examination in any of the last five years of
certification, even if they have not completed all
of their MOC requirements. However, at the end
of a diplomate’s ten-year certification, any
outstanding MOC requirements—missing LLSA
tests or incomplete APP activities—will result in
loss of certification (even though the ConCert™
examination was passed).
square feet to the existing headquarters, and is
intended to accommodate the growth in staffing
over the next several years. Construction work is
expected to be completed in the spring of 2014.
In May 2013, ABEM launched its online initial
EM certification application process. Emergency
Medicine residency graduates access
personalized application forms which they
complete and submit completely online.
At its winter 2013 BOD retreat meeting, the
ABEM BOD participated in a strategic planning
session during which a new mission statement
was created for ABEM, “To ensure high standards
in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.”
In June 2013, for the first time diplomates were
able to earn AMA PRA Category I Credits™ for
completing the 2013 Medical Toxicology LLSA
CME Activity.
In May 2013, the Board of Directors of the
ACGME approved allowing emergency
physicians to formally enter Surgical Critical
Care (SCC) fellowships, thus providing a
pathway for EM diplomates to train for and take
the SCC subspecialty certification examination.
Certification in SCC is through the American
Board of Surgery (ABS).
On June 26, 2013, the ABMS Board of Directors
unanimously approved the co-sponsorship by
the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
and ABEM for certification in Anesthesiology
Critical Care Medicine (ACCM). Emergency
physicians can now pursue ACCM fellowship
training after completing their Emergency
Medicine residency training. Upon fulfilling the
ACCM eligibility criteria, these individuals
would be eligible to seek subspecialty board
certification. ABEM will issue the ACCM
certificate to its diplomates.
In April 2013, construction began on an
expansion of the ABEM headquarters building.
The expansion will add approximately 6,000
ABEM Subspecialties
ABMS Approval
Sponsoring Boards
First Examination
June 2013
ABA*, ABEM
8/9/14**
Emergency Medical Services
September 2010
ABEM*
10/23–25/13
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
September 2006
ABA, ABEM, ABFM, ABIM*,
ABOG, ABP, ABPMR, ABPN,
ABR, ABS
10/29/08
Internal Medicine-Critical Care
Medicine
September 2011
ABEM, ABIM*
11/12/12**
Medical Toxicology
September 1992
ABEM*, ABP, ABPM
11/5/94
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
March 1991
ABEM, ABP*
11/17/92
Sports Medicine
March 1992
ABEM, ABFM*, ABIM, ABP,
ABPMR
3/19/92
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
March 2000
ABEM, ABPM*
11/13/00
Subspecialty
Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
* Administrative board responsible for examination development, analysis, scoring, and preparation of exam results.
** First examination available to ABEM candidates.
50
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
Acronyms Used in this Report
AAEM
AACEM
ABEM
ABMS
ACCM
ACEP
ACGME
APP
AMA
BOD
CME
CMS
COCERT
COMMOC
ConCert™
CORD
EM
EM/FM
EM/IM
EM Model
EM/Peds
EMRA
EMS
FSMB
HPM
ICTF
IM-CCM
ITE
LLSA
LSEMR
LSEP
MedTox
MOC
NAEMSP
NBME
PedEM
PGY
PQRI/PQRS
QE
RRC-EM
RVP
SAEM
SCC
SPM
UHM
American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine
American Board of Emergency Medicine
American Board of Medical Specialties
Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
American College of Emergency Physicians
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Assessment of Practice Performance
American Medical Association
Board of Directors
Continuing Medical Education
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Committee on Certification, Subcertification, and Maintenance of Certification
Committee on Oversight and Monitoring of Maintenance of Certification
Continuous Certification Examination
Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine / Internal Medicine
The Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine/Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association
Emergency Medical Services
Federation of State Medical Boards
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Initial Certification Task Force
Internal Medicine-Critical Care Medicine
In-training examination
Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment
Longitudinal Study of Emergency Medicine Residents
Longitudinal Study of Emergency Physicians
Medical Toxicology
Maintenance of Certification
National Association of EMS Physicians
National Board of Medical Examiners
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Post-Graduate Year
Physician Quality Reporting Initiative/Physician Quality Reporting System
Qualifying Examination
Residency Review Committee for Emergency Medicine
Residency Visitation Program
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Surgical Critical Care Medicine
Sports Medicine
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
ABEM Annual Report 2012-13
51
THE ANNUAL REPORT IS A PUBLICATION OF
THE AMERICAN BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Executive Director
Earl J. Reisdorff, M.D.
American Board of Emergency Medicine
3000 Coolidge Road
East Lansing, Michigan 48823-6319
517.332.4800 • FAX 517.332.2234
www.abem.org
A MEMBER BOARD OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES