Diplomate Digest - The American Board of Ophthalmology Blog

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Nov 20, 2019
5 min

Congratulations, New Diplomates!

The American Board of Ophthalmology is pleased to welcome the following newly board-certified ophthalmologists to our diplomate community following the Fall 2019 Oral Examination in Rosemont, IL. -A- Walid Abdallah, M.D., Alhambra, CA Osemelu Aburime, M.D., Atlanta, GA Christopher Adam, M.D., Detroit, MI Mona Adeli, M.D., Columbus, OH Esen Akpek, M.D., Baltimore, MD Tomas Aleman, M.D., Croydon, PA Rashed Alhabshan, M.D., McAllen, TX Mouhab Aljajeh, M.D., Newburgh, IN Erica Al

Nov 5, 2019
5 min

Thank You, Fall 2019 Examiners!

Examiners for the American Board of Ophthalmology are diplomates selected for their embodiment of the Board's commitment to excellence and high-quality ophthalmic care. ABO Examiners lead the oral examination process; many also share their expertise in the development of examination materials. The success of the Oral Examination process in providing a fair and comprehensive assessment of each candidate for Board Certification depends on each Examiner's knowledge, skill, chara

Jul 31, 2019
4 min

New Timelines Introduced for Written, Oral Examinations

A new examination timeline in place at the American Board of Ophthalmology provides graduating residents with the opportunity to achieve board certification within nine months. The Written Qualifying Examination (WQE), traditionally given in the spring, has been moved to September. The Oral Examination, previously offered two times per year, will be held once annually in March, starting with the 2020 administration. Under the old certification timeline, graduating residents r

Jul 3, 2019
1 min

Goldfeller Volunteer Service Award Presented to Two Longtime Examiners

At the June 2019 Oral Examination in Rosemont, IL, two longtime American Board of Ophthalmology examiners reached the 20-examination milestone: John Welch, MD, of Hastings, NE, has been an examiner for the ABO since 1995. Dr. Welch has mentored nine new examiners and assisted with oral examination content development. Dr. Welch, who practices at Retina Center of Nebraska, earned a medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and went on to complete his i

Jul 3, 2019
4 min

Congratulations to the Newest American Board of Ophthalmology Diplomates

The following ophthalmologists achieved certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology following the June 2019 Oral Examination held in Rosemont, IL: -A- Musa Abdelaziz, M.D., Washington, DC Daniel Agarwal, M.D., New Haven, CT Faheem Ahmed, M.D., Herndon, VA Syeda Ahmed Naqvi, M.D., Cincinnati , OH Alaa AlAli, M.D., Toronto, ON Daniel Albertus, M.D., Falls Church, VA Sulaiman Alhumaid, M.D., miami, FL Mohsin Ali, M.D., Durham, NC Zegary Allen, M.D., Montgomery, OH Zane

Jun 6, 2019
3 min

Thank You, June Examiners!

The American Board of Ophthalmology thanks the diplomates listed below for volunteering to examine candidates at the June 7-9 Oral Examination in Rosemont, IL. Examiners are diplomates selected by the ABO to help develop and administer the Oral Examination. Examiners are selected based on a strict ABO evaluation and a strong commitment to providing quality ophthalmic care. The ABO is grateful to the many current Examiners who assist in the examination process and who do so wi

May 17, 2019
2 min

Newly Created Program Supports ABO Examiners with Training, Feedback, and CME

Last October, I left the American Board of Ophthalmology Oral Examination in San Francisco and flew to Los Angeles to visit my son, who had just moved across the country. The night I arrived, we walked out of his apartment and noticed a group of people standing in the street, staring up into the sky. We looked up and saw something that resembled Daenerys Targaryen's dragons flying overhead. With Hollywood nearby, I figured it was some kind of special effect for a movie produc

Dec 5, 2018
5 min

11 Ways To Get Involved With the ABO

The impetus for board certification in American medicine did not come from the federal government or even public watchdogs. It arose more than a century ago from practicing physicians like you who wanted to address concerns about the qualifications and training of individuals claiming to be specialists in ophthalmology. In the early 1900s, leaders of our profession came together and established a framework for board certification in a medical specialty that would go on to set

Nov 7, 2018
8 min

2018 American Board of Ophthalmology Volunteer Honor Roll

New Examiners Beardsley, Robert M. - Eugene, OR Birkholz, Emily S. - Mankato, MN Birnbach, Charles D. - Lake Forest Park, WA Bishop, Frank M. - Chula Vista, CA Carolan, James A. - Novato, CA Cavuoto, Kara M. - Miami, FL Chan, Clement K. - Palm Springs, CA Giangiacomo, Annette L. - Decatur, GA Goldstein, Jeffrey B. - Asheville, NC Hegleh, Joseph A. - Sarasota, FL Kim, Brian Y. - Williston, VT Larson, Scott A. - Iowa City, IA Lin, Amy - Salt Lake City, UT Mohadjer, Yasaman - Gu

Nov 1, 2018
5 min

Congratulations and Welcome to Our Newest Diplomates (Fall 2018)

The American Board of Ophthalmology diplomate community officially grew 284 members stronger today. Please join us in congratulating the following newly board-certified ophthalmologists on their professional achievement in having recently passed both the Written Qualifying Examination (WQE) and Oral Examination. -A- Frances Acosta, M.D., Tampa, FL Matthew Adams, M.D., Rochester, MN Mariam Ahmad, M.D., Denver, CO Shazia Ali, M.D., Manvel, TX Joseph Alsberge, M.D., San Francisc

Oct 10, 2018
2 min

Dr. Martha Wright Receives American Board of Ophthalmology's Goldfeller Volunteer Service Award

On October 5, 2018, the American Board of Ophthalmology recognized the extraordinary dedication of diplomate Martha M. Wright, MD, of Minneapolis, who has served as an Examiner at 20 Oral Examinations. For her long record of service, she was presented with the ABO’s Goldfeller Award. Dr. Wright became an Examiner for the first time in 2001 and has participated in exam development every year since 2013. (Dr. Wright is pictured with ABO Chair Dale Heuer, MD.) Dr. Wright is a pr

Oct 8, 2018
4 min

Thank You, San Francisco Examiners

Examiners for the American Board of Ophthalmology are diplomates selected for their embodiment of the Board's commitment to excellence and quality ophthalmic care. ABO Examiners lead the oral examination process and many share their expertise in the development of examination materials. The success of the Oral Examination process in providing a fair and comprehensive assessment of each candidate for Board Certification depends on each Examiner's knowledge, skill, character,

Aug 30, 2018
2 min

Phoenix Ophthalmologists Help Guide Oral Examination Improvements

On Tuesday, August 21, American Board of Ophthalmology Chief Executive Officer George B. Bartley, MD, met with diplomates and future Oral Examination candidates in Phoenix, Arizona to discuss ways to improve the Oral Examination for initial certification. Participants toured several potential suite-based examination room layouts and offered their thoughts on ways the ABO could enhance the examination experience. From furniture configurations to table size and room lighting, a

Aug 1, 2018
1 min

Observer Calls Oral Examination a "Model of Professionalism"

Ophthalmology Times recently published a guest editorial by James Lifton, MBA, a public member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Board of Trustees who observed the American Board of Ophthalmology's June Oral Examination. In the editorial, which summarized his experience at the examination and his perceptions of the process, Lifton wrote that the Oral Examination, "offers a model of professionalism to ophthalmologists, most just beginning their careers...[p]h

Jun 18, 2018
3 min

Thank You, June Examiners!

The Board thanks the following diplomates for volunteering their time and talents to the administration of the June 2018 Oral Examination in San Francisco: Aaron, Maria E.M. - Atlanta, GA Agarwal, Anita - Nashville, TN Albanis, Chris V. - Chicago, IL Alcorn, Debby M. - Stanford, CA Allen, Richard C. - Houston, TX Beauchamp, Cynthia L. - Dallas, TX Beller, Richard A. - Napa, CA Berzins, U. John - Salem, OR Bhatti, M. Tariq - Durham, NC Birkholz, Emily S. - Mankato, MN Bishop,

Apr 30, 2018
8 min

Thank You to All Our Volunteers

National Volunteer Month is a perfect time to spotlight the hard work of board-certified ophthalmologists around the country who advance excellence in ophthalmology by giving generously of their time and expertise. Each year, hundreds of busy clinicians write and review questions and content for ABO examinations and Quarterly Questions, set rigorous standards for achievement in ophthalmology, and enable the successful administration of oral examinations. Here are the members

Dec 11, 2017
2 min

The Science of Testing: How Does the ABO Create Reliable and Valid Examinations?

Note from the CEO: The ABO written and oral examinations are created through the dedicated collaboration of hundreds of volunteers along with ABO Directors and the Board’s office staff. A consistent comment from first-time volunteers is, “I had no idea how difficult it is to write good questions and how much work goes into this process.” To allow diplomates and candidates a glimpse “behind the curtain,” the ABO’s psychometrician, Sarah Schnabel, will contribute regular postin

Nov 15, 2017
3 min

Congratulations, New Diplomates!

The American Board of Ophthalmology congratulates the physicians listed below on their recent achievement of board certification in ophthalmology. Welcome to the diplomate community! Mohammed Taha, M.D. Bryan Abessi, M.D. Mohamed Abou Shousha, M.D. Benjamin Daniel Abramowitz, M.D. Murtaza Adam, M.D. Adebukola Adebayo, M.D. Janelle Marie Fassbender Adeniran, M.D. Christopher Aderman, M.D. Yasir Ahmed, M.D. Byung-Joon Ahn, M.D. Radwan Ajlan, M.D. Neeti Meghnad Alapati, M.D. Fer

Nov 7, 2017
4 min

Thank You, Examiners!

Examiners for the American Board of Ophthalmology are diplomates selected for their embodiment of the Board's commitment to excellence and quality ophthalmic care. ABO Examiners lead the oral examination process and many share their expertise in the development of examination materials. The success of the Oral Examination process in providing a fair and comprehensive assessment of each candidate for Board Certification depends on each Examiner's knowledge, skill, character,

Sep 8, 2017
1 min

For Test-Takers Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

To our diplomates in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico scheduled to take the September DOCK Examination or the October Oral Examination: The American Board of Ophthalmology hopes that you, your loved ones, and your patients are safe. If you have been impacted by hurricane damage or evacuations, the Board wishes to alleviate any worry you may have about your upcoming examination. Please check your email for a message from us. We will work with you to reschedule your exa